Abstract: A content distribution system for controlling access of digital content that is shared with indirect contacts receives from a publisher of digital content, a specification of a sharing policy for sharing by a first user to indirect contacts to be identified at the time of distribution. The sharing policy can identify a number of shares, a number of indirect contacts, acceptable web domains, or acceptable geographic regions. The system receives a request from the first user to access the content. The first user is a contact of the publisher identified by the publisher. The system authorizes the first user to access the content and receives from the first user a request to share the content with a second user that is a contact of the first user and an indirect contact of the publisher. The system authorizes, in accordance with the sharing policy, the second user to access the content.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for securely distributing digital content and analytical reporting. In one aspect, a system for restricting access of digital content to a predetermined number of devices includes a content distribution system that can receive a specification of a predetermined number of devices to which digital content of a publisher may be accessed by one or more users on devices to be identified at time of distribution. The content distribution system can receive a request from a device to access the digital content and identify that the device has not been previously activated by the content distribution system to access the digital content. The content distribution system can restrict the device from accessing the digital content in response to determining that a number of devices from which the digital content has been accessed has reached the predetermined number of devices for that digital content.