Patent ID: 8862517

Claim:
A computer-implemented method executed by one or more computing devices for controlling use of future content, the future content being a recorded representation of a future event, the method comprising: receiving, by at least one of the one or more computing devices before the future content is available, at least one rights offer associated with the future content, the at least one rights offer including at least one usage right specifying a manner of use of the future content that is enforceable by a repository; selecting, by at least one of the one or more computing devices before the future content is available, one of the usage rights included in the rights offer; requesting, by at least one of the one or more computing devices before the future content is available, generation of an authorization token associated with the future content, the authorization token being exchangeable for a right to access the future content when the future content becomes available and usable to authorize the granting of the selected usage right; transmitting, by at least one of the one or more computing devices, device information and information identifying the authorization token, wherein the device information can be used to authenticate at least one of the one or more computing devices; receiving, by at least one of the one or more computing devices, an indication that the future content is available, wherein use of the future content in accordance with the selected usage right is controlled by a software application installed on at least one of the one or more computing devices; and receiving, by at least one of the one or more computing devices, a data stream representing the future content, wherein the software application processes the data stream in accordance with the selected usage right.