Patent ID: 6959289

Claim:
In a computer system network, a computer-implemented method for establishing legal rights and limitations for using electronically distributed intellectual property, said method comprising: storing a model of said intellectual property in a memory unit of a computer system, wherein said intellectual property is assigned a unique digital identifier comprising a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) that points to an instantiation of said intellectual property; enabling executable links between said digital identifier and other URIs that point to intellectual property elements that describe characteristics of said intellectual property, said executable links pointing to said intellectual property elements and automatically accessing said intellectual property elements when executed, said intellectual property elements comprising at least one of a digital feature element that describes features of said intellectual property, a digital rights element that describes legal rights and limitations associated with said intellectual property and a digital license element that provides a license for said intellectual property; offering said intellectual property for distribution; receiving a request for access to and use of said intellectual property; in response to said request, providing an electronic version of said legal rights and limitations according to descriptions in said intellectual property elements; receiving agreement to said legal rights and limitations; and storing said agreement in a memory unit of a computer system.