Patent ID: 7748030

Claim:
A method for controlling access to digital content, the method comprising: storing with a first computing device at least one license for authorizing use of the content, the at least one license being defined from a rule that is based at least in part on at least one of i) at least one user attribute and ii) an attribute associated with the content item; receiving with a second computing device a request to use the content; determining with the second computing device whether or not the at least one license authorizes the requested use of the content comprising: comparing an entitlement requirement associated with the at least one license against at least one of: an attribute of a user who has made the request; and an attribute associated with the content item; and evaluating at least one Boolean expression embodied by the rule; responsive to said determination, authorizing the requested use of the content if the at least one license authorizes the requested use; and providing with a third computing device an option to modify the at least one user attribute to qualify for a license, responsive to the determining finding that the at least one license authorizes the requested use.