Method and system for implementing digital rights management

Abstract

In one embodiment, a content license is created that defines parameters for accessing a piece of digital content. A first logical expression in the content license defines a plurality of playback devices that are authorized to access the piece of digital content. A second logical expression in the content license defines at least one time interval when the plurality of playback devices are authorized to access the piece of digital content. The content license is used to access the piece of digital content.

1 . A method of creating a content license for facilitating access to a piece of digital content comprising: 
 accessing a plurality of parameters wherein said plurality of parameters is operable to uniquely identify a plurality of authorized playback devices that are associated with a recipient; and    utilizing said plurality of parameters to create said content license, wherein said content license enables any one of said plurality of authorized playback devices to access said piece of digital content.    
   
   
       2 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of parameters is further operable to define a time interval that said plurality of authorized playback devices are authorized to access said piece of digital content.  
   
   
       3 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of parameters uniquely identify said plurality of authorized play devices through a unique identification of each of said plurality of playback devices.  
   
   
       4 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein said accessing said plurality of parameters comprises: 
 using a logical expression that comprises a plurality of mathematical expressions.    
   
   
       5 . The method as described in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 transmitting said created content license to said recipient.    
   
   
       6 . The method as described in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 verifying an identity of said recipient of said piece of digital content.    
   
   
       7 . The method as described in  claim 6  wherein said verifying comprises: 
 using of a digital certificate that is substantially compliant with the X.509 standard.    
   
   
       8 . The method as described in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 verifying each of said plurality of playback devices using a plurality of digital certificates.    
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of digital certificates are substantially compliant with the X.509 standard.  
   
   
       10 . A method of creating a content license for facilitating access to a piece of digital content comprising: 
 accessing a request for accessing said piece of digital content;    accessing a plurality of parameters operable to identify a plurality of authorized playback devices that belong to a client requesting said piece of digital content; and    utilizing said plurality of parameters to create said content license, wherein said content license enables any one of said plurality of authorized playback devices to access said piece of digital content.    
   
   
       11 . The method as described in  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of parameters is further operable to define a time interval that said plurality of authorized playback devices are authorized to access said piece of digital content.  
   
   
       12 . The method as described in  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of parameters uniquely identify said plurality of authorized play devices through a unique identification of each of said plurality of playback devices.  
   
   
       13 . The method as described in  claim 10 , wherein said accessing said plurality of parameters is through use of a logical expression that comprises a plurality of mathematical expressions.  
   
   
       14 . The method as described in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 transmitting said created content license to said recipient.    
   
   
       15 . The method as described in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 verifying an identity of said recipient of said piece of digital content.    
   
   
       16 . The method as described in  claim 15  wherein said verification is through use of a digital certificate that is substantially compliant with the X.509 standard.  
   
   
       17 . The method as described in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 verifying each of said plurality of playback devices using a plurality of digital certificates.    
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said plurality of digital certificates are substantially compliant with the X.509 standard.  
   
   
       19 . A computer system comprising: 
 a bus;    a memory unit coupled with said bus; and    a processor coupled with said bus, said processor for executing a method of creating a content license for facilitating access to a piece of digital content comprising: 
 accessing a plurality of parameters wherein said plurality of parameters is operable to uniquely identify a plurality of authorized playback devices that belong to a recipient; and  
 utilizing said plurality of parameters to create said content license, wherein said content license enables any one of said plurality of authorized playback devices to access said piece of digital content.  
   
   
   
       20 . The computer system as described in  claim 19 , wherein said plurality of parameters is further operable to define a time interval that said plurality of authorized playback devices are authorized to access said piece of digital content.  
   
   
       21 . The computer system as described in  claim 19 , wherein said plurality of parameters uniquely identify said plurality of authorized play devices through a unique identification of each of said plurality of playback devices.  
   
   
       22 . The computer system as described in  claim 19 , wherein said accessing said plurality of parameters comprises using a logical expression that comprises a plurality of mathematical expressions.  
   
   
       23 . The computer system as described in  claim 19 , wherein said method further comprises: 
 transmitting said created content license to said recipient.    
   
   
       24 . The computer system as described in  claim 19 , wherein said method further comprises: 
 verifying an identity of said recipient of said piece of digital content.    
   
   
       25 . The computer system as described in  claim 24  wherein said verification comprises using a digital certificate that is substantially compliant with the X.509 standard.  
   
   
       26 . The computer system as described in  claim 19 , wherein said method further comprises: 
 verifying each of said plurality of playback devices using a plurality of digital certificates.    
   
   
       27 . The computer system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein said plurality of digital certificates is substantially compliant with the X.509 standard.