System and Method for Enabling Device Dependent Rights Protection

Abstract

A system and method for enhancing the protection of digital properties while also increasing the flexibility of distribution of the digital properties. In one embodiment, the digital property is protected through the binding of at least one unique client device identifier with the digital property prior to distribution. Decryption at a client device would therefore be dependent on a comparison of the unique client device identifier that is extracted from the encrypted digital property with a unique client device identifier of the device that is seeking to access the digital property.

1 . A method, comprising:
 binding, using an encryption key, a device identifier table with content to create a protected content file, said device identifier table including a plurality of unique identifiers that correspond to a plurality of client devices; and   transmitting said protected content file to said user, wherein access to said content in said protected content file is based on a determination of whether an identifier associated with a client device used in an access transaction is included among said plurality of unique identifiers in said device identifier table of said protected content file.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of client devices include two or more of a storage device, a personal computer, a set top box, and an audio/video device. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said identifier associated with said client device used in said access transaction is a product ID number. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said identifier associated with said client device used in said access transaction is a serial number. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said identifier associated with said client device used in said access transaction is a product revision number. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said identifier associated with said client device used in said access transaction is a combination of two or more of a serial number, product revision number, or product ID number. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said binding comprises encrypting the protected content file. 
     
     
         8 . A method, comprising:
 binding, using an encryption key, a device identifier table that includes a plurality of unique identifiers of a plurality of client devices with content to create a protected content file; and   sending a portable media that contains said protected content file to a user, wherein access to said protected content file on said portable media is based on a determination of whether an identifier associated with a client device used for said access is included in said device identifier table of said protected content file.   
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of client devices include two or more of a storage device, a personal computer, a set top box, and an audio/video device. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said identifier associated with said client device used for said access is a product ID number. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said identifier associated with said client device used for said access is a serial number. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said identifier associated with said client device used for said access is a product revision number. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said identifier associated with said client device used for said access is a combination of two or more of a serial number, product revision number, or product ID number. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said binding comprises encrypting the protected content file. 
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 receiving a protected content file in a client device, said received protected content file having a device identifier table that is bound to content using an encryption key, said device identifier table including a plurality of unique identifiers; and   accessing, via said client device, said content in said protected content file, said accessing including a determination that an identifier associated with a content accessing device is included among said plurality of unique identifiers in said device identifier table of said protected content file.   
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of unique identifier are associated with a plurality of client devices that include two or more of a storage device, a personal computer, a set top box, and an audio/video device. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein one of said plurality of unique identifiers is a product ID number. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein one of said plurality of unique identifiers is a serial number. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein one of said plurality of unique identifiers is a product revision number. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein one of said plurality of unique identifiers is a combination of two or more of a serial number, product revision number, or product ID number.