Abstract: A line-of-credit digital content application platform is provided, including a system and method for providing a digital content distribution platform, said digital content distribution platform configured to transmit digital content across a network; receiving from a user of the digital content distribution system a request for a membership account with the digital content distribution system; creating the membership account corresponding to the user; providing the user, prior to receiving payment or credit from the user, with a line-of-credit, said line-of-credit usable by the user to purchase access to digital content from the digital content distribution system; receiving from the user a purchase selection, whereby the user purchases access to digital content from the digital content distribution system in exchange for payment from the line-of-credit; and providing the user with access, across the network to a user device, to digital content from the digital content distribution system in exchange for the

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and related system controls access to protected content with certificate-based access authorization. Protected content stored in a memory of a computer is enciphered using a content key to produce a quantity of enciphered, protected content, wherein the content key is derived from a content encryption algorithm. A user key is derived from user credentials using a credential encryption algorithm. The content key is enciphered with the user key using a content key encryption algorithm to produce a certificate, wherein the certificate contains the enciphered content key. Access to the protected content is controlled by the user credentials and the certificate containing a second enciphered content key. A decryption user key is generated and access authorization to the protected content is determined based on the decryption user key in response to a match of the decryption user key with the user key.