Patent ID: 8561202

Claim:
A method of controlled media sharing among a plurality of nodes in a network, said method comprising: initiating a search for an instance of media content available from said network, wherein a node communicatively coupled with said network initiates said search; receiving a source location of said instance of media content from an administrative node coupled to said network; requesting from said source location said instance of media content; receiving said instance of media content from said source location, wherein said instance of media content, being stored encrypted at said source location, is decrypted from a first encryption local to said source location and then encrypted in an intermediate encryption prior to delivery to said node, said first encryption different from said intermediate encryption; and obtaining identifying information related to every said instance of media content transferred from said source node over said network, said identifying information for identifying each said instance of media content transferred, including a previously bootlegged instance of media content, and any appropriate usage fees associated therewith.