Method and apparatus for transferring usage rights and digital work having transferable usage rights

Abstract

A method, system and computer program product for transferring a digital work, including receiving by a first device a first digital work including digital content which is associated with usage rights and transfer permission information; sending to a server a request to transfer the digital content to a second device, the request indicating an identification of the second device; receiving from the server permission to transfer the digital content, the permission being generated based on the identification indicated by the request and the permission indicating new usage rights associated with the digital content; and transferring the digital content associated with the new usage rights to the second device.

1 . A method for transferring a digital work, comprising: 
 receiving by a first device a first digital work comprising digital content which is associated with usage rights and transfer permission information;    sending to a server a request to transfer the digital content to a second device, the request indicating an identification of the second device;    receiving from the server permission to transfer the digital content, the permission being generated based on the identification indicated by the request and the permission indicating new usage rights associated with the digital content; and    transferring the digital content associated with said new usage rights to the second device.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a digital work is encrypted using a cryptographic key.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising storing cryptographic keys for decrypting a digital work.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said new usage rights permit said second device to use said digital content.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said new usage rights are the same as said usage rights.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said new usage rights are remaining of said usage rights.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said transfer permission specifies fee to be paid before a transfer is permitted.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said digital content and said associated usage rights are stored in separate locations.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said digital content and said associated usage rights are stored in the same location.  
     
     
         10 . A method for transferring a digital work, comprising: 
 associating usage rights and transfer permission information with digital content;    delivering to a first device the digital work comprising the digital content;    receiving a request from the first device, the request being a transfer request to transfer the digital content from said first device to a second device, the request indicating an identification of the second device;    ascertaining whether the requested transfer is authorized according to the transfer permission information;    generating a permission for the requested transfer if the requested transfer is authorized; the permission being generated based on the identification indicated by the request and the permission indicating new usage rights associated with the digital content; and    delivering the permission for the request or a rejection of the request to the first device.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said permission for the requested transfer specifies fee to be paid before a transfer is permitted.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further including tracking of transfer transactions.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further including tracking of fee transactions.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further including encrypting of the digital content.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further including sending cryptographic keys to devices for decrypting digital works.