Method and system for managing a data object so as to comply with predetermined conditions for usage

Abstract

A method and a system for managing a data object so as to comply with predetermined conditions for usage of the data object. To control the usage of the data object, a set of control data, defining uses of the data object, which comply with the predetermined conditions, is created for the data object. The data object is concatenated with the user set of control data, encrypted and transferred to the user. When the user wants to use the data object, a special user program checks whether the usage complies with the control data. If so, the usage is enabled. Otherwise it is disabled.

1 . A method for rights management of a data object, comprising: 
 storing a data object in a memory device;    associating a rights object to the data object, the rights object including header, security, and rights information defining usages of the data object in compliance with a variable number of control conditions; and    encrypting the data object and the rights object for transfer to a user.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the header information is selected from the group consisting of URL, encryption method, preview, version, and time-stamp information.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the security information is selected from the group consisting of a decryption key and a signature.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rights information is selected from the group consisting of play, copy, and execute information.  
     
     
         5 . A method for rights management of a data object, comprising: 
 receiving a data object in a memory device;    receiving a rights object via a rights object acquisition protocol, the rights object including header, security, and rights information defining usages of the data object in compliance with a variable number of control conditions; and    decrypting the rights object and the data object for use by a user.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the data object is decrypted only if the user's memory device has an appropriate rights object.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the rights object acquisition protocol includes a request from the user and a response from a provider.  
     
     
         8 . A method for rights management of a data object, comprising: 
 storing a data object in a provider's memory device;    associating a rights object to the data object, the rights object including header, security, and rights information defining usages of the data object in compliance with a variable number of control conditions;    encrypting the data object and the rights object;    transferring the data object to a user's memory device;    transferring the rights object to the user's memory device via a rights object acquisition protocol; and    decrypting the rights object and the data object to extract content for use by a user.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the data object and a second rights object are transferable to a second user's memory device.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the data object and the rights object are transferable separately or jointly to the user's memory device.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the data object is packetized for transfer to the user's memory device via streaming.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the rights object allows for a preview of the data object content.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the rights object is transferable to the user's memory device by a rights issuer.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the data object is transferable among a domain of devices.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the data object is transferable to an external digital rights management system.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the data object is transferable within a networked or a stand-alone environment.  
     
     
         17 . A method for managing data, comprising: 
 providing a data package including data that is at least partially encrypted with a key; 
 providing a license associated with the data, wherein the license includes a variable number of control conditions for usage of the data;  
 transferring the data package to a user device;  
 transferring the license to the user device; and  
 granting access to the data according to the license.  
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the data package includes a header portion having information selected from the group consisting of a key identification, a content identification, and security information.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the data package is transferable to a retailer/broker and the license is transferable to a clearinghouse/broker.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the data is transferable via streaming.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the control conditions for usage of the data is selected from the group consisting of number of times the data may be accessed, transferability restrictions, license expiration, minimum security level required of the user device, copy restrictions, and metering criteria.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the control conditions for usage of the data include multiple licensing scenarios.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the data is accessible for a fee and/or a time period.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein granting access to the data includes verifying that a license associated with the data is located on the user device.  
     
     
         25 . A system for managing data, comprising: 
 a content module for receiving requests for data, retrieving the data, and transmitting the data; and    a license module for receiving requests for a license associated with the data, retrieving the license, and transmitting the license, the license including a variable number of control conditions for usage of the data.    
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the content module includes a content packager for providing a data package including data that is at least partially encrypted with a key and a content distributor for distributing the data package.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the license module provides a license acquisition process for transmitting the license to a user device.  
     
     
         28 . A system for controlling the usage of a data object, comprising: 
 a usage manager module which receives a variable number of control conditions, checks whether a usage requested by the user complies with the usage defined by at least one usage control element including a geographical area of usage, and disables the usage requested by the user when the usage does not comply with the geographical area of usage control element; and    a decryption module which decrypts the data object, responsive to the check for requested usage by the usage manager module.    
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the data object includes software for controlling printing capabilities of a printer.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the at least one usage control element including a geographical area of usage is provided as a region code.