Apparatus and methods for enforcing content protection rules during data transfer between devices

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for transferring data and content between devices while maintaining protection of the content. In one embodiment, one or more content protection rules are associated with the content. These rules include for example subscriber-specific, device-specific and/or content-specific rules on use, copying, or distribution. Content may be provided from a first device to second devices compliant with the rules. In one variant, a mobile version of the content is generated and provides to the requesting device. The original version of content is rendered unusable when the mobile version of the content is provided to the second device, and may only be useable again when the content is removed or otherwise disabled on the second device.

1 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method of providing content from a first subscriber device to a second subscriber device, said content having one or more content protection rules associated therewith, said method comprising:
 receiving at said first subscriber device a request for said content from said second subscriber device;   determining whether said requested content is available;   when said requested content is unavailable, not providing access to said requested content to said second subscriber device; and   when said requested content is available:   determining whether said request may be filled, said determination based at least in part on said one or more content protection rules associated with said requested content;   generating a copy of said requested content;   marking said requested content as temporarily unavailable for subsequent requests; and   providing said copy of said requested content to said second subscriber device.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said act of determining whether said requested content is available comprises consulting a table comprising a plurality of content and a status identifier for each of said plurality of content. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said act of marking said requested content unavailable for subsequent requests comprises changing a status of said requested content in said table. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said act of determining whether said requested content is available comprises determining whether said requested content is present at said second subscriber device. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said method further comprises, when said requested content is present at said second subscriber device, not providing access to said requested content to said first subscriber device. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said copy of said requested content comprises a copy specifically formatted to be compatible with capabilities of said second subscriber device. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said act of marking said requested content unavailable comprises marking said requested content unavailable for transfer from said first subscriber device and for playback at said first subscriber device. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 receiving a signal from said second subscriber device;   causing said second subscriber device to delete said copy of said requested content stored thereon; and   adjusting a status of said requested content as being available once again at said first device.   
     
     
         31 . A consumer premises device (CPE) configured to provide copyright protected content to a plurality of client devices in communication therewith, said CPE comprising:
 a first interface configured to receive said copyright protected content from a network and at least one rule for a transfer or use thereof;   a storage device;   a processor, said processor configured to run at least one computer application thereon, said computer application comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed:
 receive a request for a first one of said copyright protected content from a first client device; 
 determine whether said first one of said copyright protected content may be transferred to said first client device; 
 generate a copy of said first one of said copyright protected content; 
 cause first one of said copyright protected content to be marked as unable to be used by said CPE and unable to be transferred to second ones of said plurality of client devices; and 
 cause a second interface to transmit said copy to said first client device. 
   
     
     
         32 . The CPE of  claim 31 , wherein said determination of whether said first one of said copyright protected content may be transferred to said first client device comprises a determination of whether said transfer is compliant with said at least one rule for transfer or use thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The CPE of  claim 31 , wherein said determination of whether said first one of said copyright protected content may be transferred to said first client device comprises a determination of whether said first one of said copyright protected content is being used, or has been transferred to, one of said second ones of said plurality of client devices. 
     
     
         34 . The CPE of  claim 31 , wherein:
 said second interface is further configured to receive, from said first client device a reinstatement signal; and   said at least one computer application is further configured to, in response to said reinstatement signal, cause said first client device to delete said copy, and cause said first one of said copyright protected content to be marked as able to be used by said CPE, and able to be transferred to at least one second one of said plurality of client devices.   
     
     
         35 . The CPE of  claim 31 , wherein said copy of said first one of said copyright protected content is generated based at least in part on capabilities information received from said first client device. 
     
     
         36 . The CPE of  claim 31 , wherein said at least one computer application is further configured to:
 collect information regarding whether individual ones of a plurality of copyright protected content may be transferred to said first client device;   utilize said collected information to generate a user selectable list of available content; and   provide said user selectable list to said first client device; and   wherein said second interface is further configured to receive said user selection of said first one of said copyright protected content from a user of said first client device via said user selectable list.   
     
     
         37 . A method of providing content from a first device to a second device, comprising:
 receiving at said first device a request for said content from said second device;   determining whether said content is available, said determination being based at least in part on a presence of an indicator identifying said content as available for use by said first device; and   when said content is available:
 determining whether said request may be serviced, said determination based at least in part on one or more content protection rules associated with said content and at least one of (i) an identity of a user associated with said second device, and/or (ii) an identity of said second device; 
 moving said content from said first device to said second device; and 
 updating said indicator to indicate a current status of said content as unavailable for subsequent use by said first device. 
   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising generating a transferable version of said content specifically formatted to be compatible with capabilities of said second device. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said unavailable status comprises a status wherein said content is not able to be used or transferred by said first device. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said updating said current status as unavailable further comprises allowing said content to remain stored on said first device despite an inability of said first device to use or transfer said content. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein when said content is unavailable or said delivery is not compliant with said one or more copy protection rules associated with said content, not providing said content to said second client device. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said moving comprises:
 maintaining an original version of said content stored at said first device and providing a copy thereof to said second device; and   rendering said original unavailable for copying and playback at said first device.