Patent ID: 8831399

Claim:
A method for recording television content, the method comprising: receiving a first request, at a digital video recorder, to record a television program transmitted over a television distribution system; determining whether an originator of the first request is identifiable and, if such determination is made in the affirmative, identifying the originator, and, if such determination is made in the negative, identifying an originating device of the first request; receiving and recording the television program into a file at the digital video recorder; upon a condition in which an originator of the first request is identified, associating information identifying the originator with the file at the digital video recorder; upon a condition in which an originating device of the first request is identified, determining whether the originating device is associated with an originator; upon a condition in which the originating device is associated with an originator, associating information identifying the originator with the file at the digital video recorder; upon a condition in which the originating device is not associated with an originator, associating information identifying the originating device with the file at the digital video recorder; receiving a second request, through the digital video recorder, to view the identifying information associated with the file; outputting the identifying information, from the digital video recorder, for presentation by a presentation device, responsive to the second request; receiving a third request, through the digital video recorder, to register an interest in the television program by a second user other than the originator, thereby additionally identifying the second user with the file at the digital video recorder; receiving a fourth request, through the digital video recorder, to delete the file, wherein: if the fourth request is received from the originator, the method comprises deleting the file; if the fourth request is received from a user other than the originator, the method comprises: determining whether both the original and the second user have viewed the television program, and, if the determination is made in the affirmative, deleting the file, but if the determination is made in the negative, prohibiting the file from being deleted.