Patent ID: 8190754

Claim:
A system, comprising: a content processing device; and a software application included on the content processing device that is configured to: restrict access to media content that is selectively provided to the content processing device; send a first message to a remote computer requesting access to the restricted media content, the first message based at least in part on user input provided by a user; cause the remote computer to display, within an instant messaging client, the first message along with at least one selectable button configured to allow another user to either grant or deny access to the media content by the user; receive a second message from the remote computer by way of the instant messaging client, the second message input into the instant messaging client by the another user in response to the first message and capable of being read by the user; send a third message input by the user to the remote computer for display along with the at least one selectable button in the instant messaging client in response to the second message; determine that the another user has selected a button included in the at least one selectable button displayed in the instant messaging client to either grant or deny the user access to the media content in response to the third message; and determine whether to provide access to the media content in response to the determination that the another user has selected the button to either grant or deny the user access to the media content.