Method and system for sharing encrypted content

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of sharing encrypted content. In one form, the invention relates to multiple user access and management of encrypted content. In one particular aspect, the present invention is suitable for use in community controlled encryption of shared content using indirect keys. The present invention relates to the use of encrypted intermediate key(s), such as an encrypted community key and/or workspace key. A changeable group of users is associated with a community key. Changeable set of content is associated with a workspace key. The present invention also uses permits in association with encrypted keys.

1 . A method of enabling encryption and/or decryption of content, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a first key adapted for use with the content;   providing a second key which defines a set of one or more additional keys;   encrypting and/or decrypting using the first key and the second key.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second key encrypts and/or decrypts the first key. 
     
     
         3 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 providing a third key adapted to define a first set of content.   
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 encrypting and/or decrypting using the third key and the second key.   
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 providing a fourth key, adapted to define a second set of one or more users.   
     
     
         8 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of
 providing a fifth key adapted for use with a second set of content.   
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 providing the second key and/or a sixth key unique to at least one user.   
     
     
         13 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the sixth key is used to encrypt and/or decrypt the second and/or fourth key.   
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method of enabling encryption and/or decryption of content, the method comprising the steps of:
 a community key representing at least one user   a workspace key representing at least one content   performing encryption and/or decryption using the community and workspace keys.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising enabling access to the community by providing each user with a user key, the community key being operable to encrypt and/or decrypt using the user key. 
     
     
         22 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising providing a workspace key representing access to a set of content, and providing at least one content in the set of content with an associated content key, the content key being operable to encrypt and/or decrypt using the workspace key. 
     
     
         23 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the workspace key being operable to encrypt and/or decrypt using the community key. 
     
     
         26 . A method of encrypting and/or decrypting content, the method comprising the steps of:
 enabling the encryption in accordance with the method as claimed in  claim 1 .   
     
     
         27 . A method of defining an association between at least one user and at least one encrypted content, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing each user with a user key;   providing a user with a permit relative to the content, the permit comprising encrypted first and second keys.   
     
     
         28 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A system adapted to enable encryption and/or decryption of content, comprising:
 a first key register adapted to associate a first key with content   a second key register adapted to associate a second key with one or more additional keys   an encryption engine adapted to encrypt and/or decrypt using the first key and the second key   
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A system as claimed in  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a third key register adapted to associate a third key with a first set of content.   
     
     
         34 . A system as claimed in  claim 31 ,
 further comprising an encryption engine adapted to encrypt and/or decrypt using the third key and the second key.   
     
     
         35 . A system as claimed in  claim 31 , adapted to enable the method as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         36 . In combination a system as claimed in  claim 31  and a content management system, a messaging system, a file management system, a systems management system and/or a collaboration system. 
     
     
         37 . An application adapted to enable encryption and/or decryption of content, said application comprising a predetermined instruction set adapted to enable a method as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         38 - 40 . (canceled)