Patent ID: 8467275

Claim:
A method for managing video content through a set-top box, the method comprising: receiving user input to record the video content to a set-top box, the video content currently accessible using the set-top box; determining digital rights management (DRM) parameters associated with the set-top box, wherein the DRM parameters are established by a content owner or a communications service provider and indicate at least whether the video content is recordable for distribution by a user and a maximum length of selected video content that is distributable, wherein the selected video content comprises of particular pre-specified portions of the video content designated by the content owner or the communications service provider that are recordable for distribution; recording the video content directly to the set-top box in response to the DRM parameters; editing the video content based on the DRM parameters to generate the selected video content in response to receiving a selection to edit the video content for distribution; determining preferences for distributing the selected video content; and distributing the selected video content from the set-top box to a plurality of addresses in response to the preferences.