Patent ID: 6948070

Claim:
A method comprising: storing a first digital file in a first secure container on a first portable memory, said first secure container including said first digital file and at least one control governing at least one aspect of use of or access to said first digital file while said first digital file is contained in said first secure container; receiving said first digital file at a first device, wherein said first digital file is received in said first secure container stored on said first portable memory; establishing communication between said first device and a first clearinghouse located at a location remote from said first device; said first device obtaining information from said first clearinghouse and using said information to gain access to or make at least one use of said first digital file; storing said first digital file in a memory of said first device: storing said first digital file in a second secure container, said second secure container including said second digital file and at least one control governing at least one aspect of use of or access to said second digital file while said second digital file is contained in said second secure container; receiving said second digital file at said first device, wherein said second digital file is in said second secure container stored on a second portable memory different from said first portable memory; establishing communication between said first device and a second clearinghouse located at a location remote from said first device, said first device obtaining information from said second clearinghouse and using said information to gain access to or make at least one use of said second digital file; storing said second digital file in a memory of said first device; using at least a first control to determine whether some or all of said first digital file may be copied and stored on a second device; if said first control allows at least a portion of said first digital file to be copied and stored on a second device: copying at least a portion of said first digital file; transferring said first digital file portion to a second device including a memory and an audio and/or video output; and storing said first digital file portion in said memory of said second device; using at least a second control to determine whether some or all of said second digital file may be copied and stored on said second device; if said second control allows at least a portion of said second digital file to be copied and stored on said second device: copying at least a portion of said second digital file; transferring said second digital file portion to said second device; storing said second digital file portion in said memory of said second device while said first digital file portion is also stored in said memory; and rendering said first or said second digital file portion through said output.