Identification of potential unauthorized distribution of copyrighted information

Abstract

A computer-implemented method is provided of identifying potential unauthorized distribution of copyrighted information. The copyrighted information includes copyrighted items and copyright filing information for each of the copyrighted items. A database file is provided of the copyrighted information. Also, a source of items is provided from an entity other than the copyright owner which contains items that are potentially in violation of the copyrighted items. An automatic comparison is made. The copyrighted items in the database file of copyrighted information are automatically compared in a computer with the items in the source of items. The comparison identifies any items in the source of items that are potentially in violation of a copyrighted item due to similarities with the copyrighted items. The identified items are displayed in association with the copyrighted items that are potentially being violated and the copyright filing information of the copyrighted items that are potentially being violated.

1 . A computer-implemented method of identifying potential unauthorized distribution of copyrighted information, the copyrighted information including (i) copyrighted items, and (ii) copyright filing information for each of the copyrighted items, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a database file of the copyrighted information;   (b) providing a source of items from an entity other than the copyright owner which contains items that are potentially in violation of the copyrighted items;   (c) automatically comparing in a computer the copyrighted items in the database file of copyrighted information with the items in the source of items, and identifying any items in the source of items that are potentially in violation of a copyrighted item due to similarities with the copyrighted items; and   (d) displaying the identified items in association with the copyrighted items that are potentially being violated and the copyright filing information of the copyrighted items that are potentially being violated.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the copyrighted items are test questions given to applicants. 
   
   
       3 . A computer-implemented method of identifying potential unauthorized distribution of copyrighted test questions given to applicants, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a file of the copyrighted test questions;   (b) providing a file from an entity other than the copyright owner which contains a set of focal test items, each focal test item being a test question that is potentially in violation of a copyrighted test question;   (c) automatically comparing in a computer the copyrighted test questions with each of the test questions in the file from the entity other than the copyright owner; and   (d) identifying any test questions from the entity other than the copyright owner that are potentially in violation of a copyrighted test question due to similarities with the copyrighted test questions.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein step (c) is performed by comparing the copyrighted test questions with an individual test question in the file from the entity other than the copyright owner, and step (d) identifies whether the individual test question is potentially in violation of a copyrighted test question due to similarities with the copyrighted test questions, and steps (c) and (d) are repeated for each successive individual test question in the file from the entity other than the copyright owner until all test questions in the file from the entity other than the copyright owner are compared to the file of the copyrighted test questions. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein step (c) is performed using at least one examination algorithm. 
   
   
       6 . A computer-implemented method of identifying potential unauthorized distribution of copyrighted test questions given to applicants, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a file of the copyrighted test questions;   (b) providing a file from an entity other than the copyright owner which contains a set of test questions that are potentially in violation of a copyrighted test question;   (c) providing a browse function and a search function for selection via a user interface;   (d) if the browse function is selected, automatically comparing in a computer the copyrighted test questions with each of the test questions in the file from the entity other than the copyright owner using at least one examination algorithm, and if the search function is selected, automatically comparing in a computer a search character string that is present in a selected copyrighted test question with each of the test questions in the file from the entity other than the copyright owner; and   (e) identifying any test questions from the entity other than the copyright owner that are potentially in violation of a copyrighted test question due to similarities with the copyrighted test questions based on the results of the at least one examination algorithm if the browse function is selected, or based on the presence of similar search character strings if the search function is selected.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the browse function applies the examination algorithm to fragments of words and/or phrases.