Tools and techniques for original digital files

Abstract

The present invention provides tools and techniques for distinguishing a file from any or all copies of the file that may exist. One method ascertains ( 204 ) the actual physical location of the file ( 512 ) and associates ( 214 ) that physical location with the file as the claimed physical location ( 516 ) of the file. The file's originality status may then be determined ( 104 ) by finding ( 304 ) the location claim, reading ( 306 ) from it the claimed physical location associated with the file, ascertaining ( 308 ) the actual physical location of the file, and comparing ( 310 ) the locations. If the claimed and actual locations are identical, then the file is the original file it claims to be. If there is disparity between the claimed physical location recited for or by the file and the actual physical location of the file, then it is not the original file it claims to be.

1 . A method for software authentication, comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining a physical location identifier identifying a physical location at which information is stored in tangible form; and    associating the physical location identifier with the stored information as the claimed physical location of the stored information.    
   
   
       2 . The method for  claim 1 , wherein the method includes obtaining a claimed physical location for installed software; obtaining the actual physical location at which the software is installed; and comparing the actual physical location with the claimed physical location.  
   
   
       3 . The method for  claim 1 , wherein the method includes obtaining a claimed physical location for copyrightable material is written on a computer-readable medium; obtaining the actual physical location at which the copyrightable material is written on a computer-readable medium; and comparing the actual physical location with the claimed physical location.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method includes performing at least two the following steps: 
 authenticating software;    authenticating copyrightable material;    authenticating self-reading data;    protecting private information;    conforming paper documents to reflect electronic action;    providing and/or using a transferable record vault;    securely transporting exedata material.    
   
   
       5 . A method for self-reading data authentication, comprising: 
 obtaining a physical location identifier identifying a physical location at which self-reading data is written on a computer-readable medium; and    associating the physical location identifier with the self-reading data as the claimed physical location of the self-reading data.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the method includes: obtaining a claimed physical location for self-reading data; obtaining the actual physical location at which the self-reading data is written on a computer-readable medium; and comparing the actual physical location with the claimed physical location.