Abstract: A method of preventing unauthorized recording of electronic media according to one embodiment is described. The method comprises activating a compliance mechanism in response to a client system receiving media content. The compliance mechanism is coupled to the client system. The client system has a media content presentation application operable thereon and is coupled to the compliance mechanism. The method further comprises controlling a data path of a kernel-mode media device driver of the client system with the compliance mechanism upon detection of a kernel streaming mechanism operable on the client system. The present method further comprises directing the media content from the kernel-mode media device driver to a media device driver coupled with the compliance mechanism, via the data path, for selectively restricting output of the media content.

Abstract: A method for controlling media sharing among a plurality of nodes in a network. The present method is comprised of availing to the network an instance of media content for sharing among the plurality of nodes by a source node communicatively coupled to the network. The present method further includes decrypting the instance of media content from an encryption local to the source node. The present method further includes encrypting the instance of media content into an intermediate encryption. The present method further includes transferring the instance of media content to a node while the instance of media content is in the intermediate encryption. The node is associated with the network. The decrypting and the encrypting and the transferring are in response to receiving a request for the instance of media content from the node.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing media content while preventing its unauthorized distribution. The method includes transmitting from a client to an administrative node a request for delivery of an instance of media content (IMC); determining which content source (CS) of a plurality of CSs to provide delivery of the IMC, provided the client is authorized to receive the IMC; transmitting to the client an access key and a location of the IMC; transmitting from the client to the CS a second request and the access key; in response to receiving the second request and the access key, transferring the IMC from the CS to the client; transmitting from the client to the administrative node an indicator indicating a successful transfer of the IMC; and generating a transaction applicable to the client and associated with the transfer of the IMC to the client.

Abstract: A method for controlling media sharing among a plurality of nodes in a network. The present method is comprised of availing to the network an instance of media content for sharing among the plurality of nodes by a source node communicatively coupled to the network. The present method further includes decrypting the instance of media content from an encryption local to the source node. The present method further includes encrypting the instance of media content into an intermediate encryption. The present method further includes transferring the instance of media content to a node while the instance of media content is in the intermediate encryption. The node is associated with the network. The decrypting and the encrypting and the transferring are in response to receiving a request for the instance of media content from the node.

Abstract: A method for controlling media sharing among a plurality of nodes in a network. The present method is comprised of availing to the network an instance of media content for sharing among the plurality of nodes by a source node communicatively coupled to the network. The present method further includes decrypting the instance of media content from an encryption local to the source node. The present method further includes encrypting the instance of media content into an intermediate encryption. The present method further includes transferring the instance of media content to a node while the instance of media content is in the intermediate encryption. The node is associated with the network. The decrypting and the encrypting and the transferring are in response to receiving a request for the instance of media content from the node.

Abstract: A method for preventing unauthorized recording of media content on a Macintosh operating system. The present method registers a compliance mechanism on a client system having the Macintosh operating system operating thereon. The compliance mechanism comprises a framework for validating the compliance mechanism on the client system, and a multimedia component opened by the framework. The present method uses the multimedia component for decrypting the media content on the client system. The present method also prevents decryption of the media content on the client system having the Macintosh operating system operating thereon if a portion of the compliance mechanism is invalidated.

Abstract: A method of controlling presentation of content on a media storage device is described. The method is comprised of verifying presence of a content presentation mechanism and a usage compliance mechanism on a computer system operated by a recipient to whom the media storage device is distributed. The usage compliance mechanism includes a file system filter driver for controlling data reads associated with the content. The present method further includes permitting the recipient to experience the content via the computer system provided the usage compliance mechanism is present on the computer system and the computer system is communicatively coupled with a network and wherein a server in the network authorizes the recipient to experience the content. The present method further includes presenting the content to the recipient via the content presentation mechanism. The content presentation mechanism is communicatively coupled with the usage compliance mechanism.

Abstract: A method of preventing unauthorized reproduction of protected media disposed on a media storage device according to one embodiment is described. The method is comprised of activating an autorun mechanism disposed on said media storage device. The activating is in response to a device drive coupled with a computer system receiving the media storage device. The autorun mechanism for initiating installing a compliance mechanism on the computer system. The method further includes installing the compliance mechanism on the computer system. The compliance mechanism communicatively coupled with the computer system when installed thereon. The compliance mechanism is for enforcing compliance with a usage restriction applicable to the protected media. The method further includes obtaining control of a data input pathway operable on the computer system.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention enables delivery of “on-demand” high fidelity media content to computers via the Internet while restricting unauthorized users from directly retrieving media content from its source database. Once the computer receives the media, it is stored using hidden directories so that it may not be easily shared with others. Within the present embodiment, there are different functionality that are implemented in order to protect and monitor the media content source. For example, the actual address location of the media database is hidden from content recipients while its address directory is periodically change making past addresses obsolete. Additionally, an access key procedure and rate control restrictor may also be implemented to monitor and restrict suspicious media content requests.

Abstract: A method of preventing unauthorized reproduction of media disposed on a media storage device according to one embodiment is described. The method comprises installing a compliance mechanism on the computer system. The compliance mechanism is communicatively coupled with the computer system when installed thereon. The compliance mechanism is for enforcing compliance with a usage restriction applicable to the media. The method further includes obtaining control of a data input pathway operable on the computer system. The method further includes accessing data that is disposed on the media storage device that is associated with the usage restriction. The method further includes preventing the computer system from accessing the media digitally via the data pathway while enabling presentation of the protected media.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing media content while preventing its unauthorized distribution. The method includes transmitting from a client to an administrative node a request for delivery of an instance of media content (IMC); determining which content source (CS) of a plurality of CSs to provide delivery of the IMC, provided the client is authorized to receive the IMC; transmitting to the client an access key and a location of the IMC; transmitting from the client to the CS a second request and the access key; in response to receiving the second request and the access key, transferring the IMC from the CS to the client; transmitting from the client to the administrative node an indicator indicating a successful transfer of the IMC; and generating a transaction applicable to the client and associated with the transfer of the IMC to the client.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing media content while preventing its unauthorized distribution. The method includes transmitting from a client to an administrative node a request for delivery of an instance of media content (IMC); determining which content source (CS) of a plurality of CSs to provide delivery of the IMC, provided the client is authorized to receive the IMC; transmitting to the client an access key and a location of the IMC; transmitting from the client to the CS a second request and the access key; in response to receiving the second request and the access key, transferring the IMC from the CS to the client; transmitting from the client to the administrative node an indicator indicating a successful transfer of the IMC; and generating a transaction applicable to the client and associated with the transfer of the IMC to the client.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing media content while preventing its unauthorized distribution. The method includes transmitting from a client to an administrative node a request for delivery of an instance of media content (IMC); determining which content source (CS) of a plurality of CSs to provide delivery of the IMC, provided the client is authorized to receive the IMC; transmitting to the client an access key and a location of the IMC; transmitting from the client to the CS a second request and the access key; in response to receiving the second request and the access key, transferring the IMC from the CS to the client; transmitting from the client to the administrative node an indicator indicating a successful transfer of the IMC; and generating a transaction applicable to the client and associated with the transfer of the IMC to the client.

Abstract: A method of controlling presentation of content on a media storage device is described. The method is comprised of verifying the presence of a media presentation mechanism and a usage compliance mechanism on a computer system operated by a recipient to whom the media storage device is distributed. The usage compliance mechanism includes a file system filter driver for controlling data reads associated with the computer readable media. The media presentation mechanism is communicatively coupled with the usage compliance mechanism. The present method further includes the file system driver performing a first decryption of the computer readable media. The present method further includes the media presentation mechanism performing a second decrypting of the computer readable media concurrent with presenting the computer readable media to the recipient.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention enables delivery of “on-demand” high fidelity media content to computers via the Internet while restricting unauthorized users from directly retrieving media content from its source database. Once the computer receives the media, it is stored using hidden directories so that it may not be easily shared with others. Within the present embodiment, there are different functionality that are implemented in order to protect and monitor the media content source. For example, the actual address location of the media database is hidden from content recipients while its address directory is periodically change making past addresses obsolete. Additionally, an access key procedure and rate control restrictor may also be implemented to monitor and restrict suspicious media content requests.

Abstract: A method of preventing unauthorized reproduction of media disposed on a media storage device according to one embodiment is described. The method comprises installing a compliance mechanism on the computer system. The compliance mechanism is communicatively coupled with the computer system when installed thereon. The compliance mechanism is for enforcing compliance with a usage restriction applicable to the media. The method further includes obtaining control of a data input pathway operable on the computer system. The method further includes accessing data, that is disposed on the media storage device, that is associated with the usage restriction. The method further includes preventing the computer system from accessing the media digitally via the data pathway while enabling presentation of the protected media.

Abstract: A method of controlling presentation of content on a media storage device is described. The method is comprised of verifying the presence of a media presentation mechanism and a usage compliance mechanism on a computer system operated by a recipient to whom the media storage device is distributed. The usage compliance mechanism includes a file system filter driver for controlling data reads associated with the computer readable media. The media presentation mechanism is communicatively coupled with the usage compliance mechanism. The present method further includes the file system driver performing a first decryption of the computer readable media. The present method further includes the media presentation mechanism performing a second decrypting of the computer readable media concurrent with presenting the computer readable media to the recipient.

Abstract: A method for preventing unauthorized recording of media content on a Macintosh operating system. The present method registers a compliance mechanism on a client system having the Macintosh operating system operating thereon. The compliance mechanism comprises a framework for validating the compliance mechanism on the client system, and a multimedia component opened by the framework. The present method uses the multimedia component for decrypting the media content on the client system. The present method also prevents decryption of the media content on the client system having the Macintosh operating system operating thereon if a portion of the compliance mechanism is invalidated.

Abstract: A method for controlling media sharing among a plurality of nodes in a network. The present method is comprised of availing to the network an instance of media content for sharing among the plurality of nodes by a source node communicatively coupled to the network. The present method further includes decrypting the instance of media content from an encryption local to the source node. The present method further includes encrypting the instance of media content into an intermediate encryption. The present method further includes transferring the instance of media content to a node while the instance of media content is in the intermediate encryption. The node is associated with the network. The decrypting and the encrypting and the transferring are in response to receiving a request for the instance of media content from the node.

Abstract: A method of preventing unauthorized recording of electronic media is described. The method is comprised of activating a compliance mechanism in response to receiving media content by a client system. The compliance mechanism is coupled to the client system. The media content presentation application is operable and coupled to the compliance mechanism. The method is further comprised of controlling a data output path of the client computer with the compliance mechanism. The method is further comprised of directing the media content via the data output path to a custom media device for selectively restricting output of the media content. The custom media device is coupled to the compliance mechanism and to the media content presentation application. The method is further comprised of preventing a recording application coupled to the client computer system from recording the media content file when recording violates usage restriction applicable to the media content.