Method and apparatus for dynamically assigning usage rights to digital works

Abstract

A method, system and computer program product for dynamically assigning usage rights to digital content for use in a system having at least one repository, including specifying a usage right, the usage right specifying an authorized use of digital content and being enforceable by a repository; determining a status of a dynamic condition; and dynamically assigning the usage right to the digital content based on the status of the dynamic condition.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method of dynamically assigning usage rights to digital content for use in a system having at least one repository, said method comprising: 
 specifying a usage right, the usage right specifying an authorized use of digital content and being enforceable by a repository;    determining a status of a dynamic condition; and    dynamically assigning the usage right to the digital content based on the status of the dynamic condition.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic condition is external to said usage right.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the usage right specifies a resolution of the digital content that is authorized for use by the user.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , comprising: 
 determining a resolution for download of the digital content based on the status of the dynamic condition;    applying a sub-band decomposition algorithm to the digital content to create sub-images; and    combining the sub-images into a processed image of the determined resolution for downloading.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said applying step comprises applying a wavelet decomposition algorithm to the digital content.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic condition includes a time of day.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic condition includes a load on a computer system used to distribute the digital content.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the usage right includes a fee charged for the digital content based on the status of the dynamic condition.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the usage right includes a distribution right for the digital content based on the status of the dynamic condition.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the authorized use of the digital content includes at least one of an ability to print the digital content, an ability to distribute the digital content, a number of times that the digital content can be used, and a resolution of the digital content, and 
 wherein the method comprises dynamically assigning based on the status of the dynamic condition the usage right specifying the at least one of the ability to print the digital content, the ability to distribute the digital content, the number of times that the digital content can be used, and the resolution of the digital content.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the digital content includes textual content.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the digital content includes audio content.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the digital content includes video content.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the digital content includes software.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising conducting the determining step in a continuous manner.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising conducting the determining step in a periodic manner.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising conducting the determining step at a time of distribution of the digital content.  
     
     
         18 . A system for dynamically assigning usage rights to digital content and including at least one repository, said system comprising: 
 means for specifying a usage right, the usage right specifying an authorized use of digital content and being enforceable by a repository;    means for determining a status of a dynamic condition; and    means for dynamically assigning the usage right to the digital content based on the status of the dynamic condition.    
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the specifying means, the determining means and the dynamically assigning means comprise devices of a computer system.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the specifying means, the determining means and the dynamically assigning means comprise computer readable instructions recorded on a computer readable medium.