Abstract: An image processing apparatus which is capable of easily determining, when a user causes the apparatus to scan a sheet original to carry out predetermined processing, whether or not the sheet original has been modified or edited from a document file as the source of the sheet original. A scanner section not only reads an original and generates original image data, but also recognizes information embedded in the original. Rights information concerning the original is acquired based on the information embedded in the original. A controller unit determines whether or not the original has been edited, and performs control based on contents of the rights information and a result of the determination, such that execution of processing, which is designated by a user, on the original image data is permitted or restricted.

Abstract: A system and method for managing sponsorships by a sponsor, in which the party requesting the sponsorship requests to use content owned and protected by the sponsor, such as trademarks, logos, and copyrighted material. An embodiment of the method involves receiving, at a computer network site, a request for sponsorship from a requester and responding to the request by sending either an approval or a rejection. If an approval is sent, the method further involves providing the requestor with access to content of the sponsor through the site. As part of providing this access, the method can involve requiring the requestor to accept an agreement posted on the site. The method can also include monitoring the requestor's actual use of the content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating online storage of files (e.g., audio tracks, video, etc.) for playback/access or sale/exchange by the owners of the files without violating copyrights that copyright holders have in the files. For example, by providing a playback service that does not store additional versions of an audio file when the file is transmitted to, and immediately played on, a user device without buffering, the present invention avoids violating copyright laws by not making copies of the file. Numerous other aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: A terminal apparatus is provided which guarantees operation of a use condition bytecode while securing a degree of freedom for a service provider generating the use condition bytecode. A terminal apparatus (300), in which a license (1200) includes a use condition determining logic code (1204) and a version number (1202), includes a license obtainment unit (304) obtaining the license (1200), a use condition verification unit (302) determining, based on the version number (1202), whether or not an operation of the use condition determining logic code (1204) has been confirmed, a use condition bytecode execution unit (303) executing the use condition determining logic code (1204) when the operation of the use condition determining logic code (1204) has been determined to have been confirmed, and a content playback unit (306) playing back content based on the use condition determining logic code (1204).

Abstract: A system and method for a user to log broadcast content at the time of the broadcast by selecting the content source on a device, the device having been configured to send the user's selection, date and timestamp, and a unique identification to a content server. The content server obtains a playlist of broadcast content from the content source, and uses the information from the user device to identify on the playlist the specific content selected by the user. The content server delivers the specific content to the user, by electronic mail or via a web page, together with associated content.

Abstract: A method by which a User can associate selectable Markers, Data Packets and/or Objects with Content. The Content may generally be distributed electronically, and the Markers allow for insertion and/or overlay of Objects when the Content is selected for viewing by a Viewer. Objects and Data Packets are generally provided by a User, Promoter, Host, Service, or other entity to convey information to a Viewer. A Service provides tools and capabilities to both the User and the Promoter to facilitate their respective actions according to embodiments of the invention, including enabling the creation of live social networks (such as those linked to a specific Service provider, a specific User group, activities by a specific Promoter, and/or to specific Data Packets) and the creation of n-dimensional Virtual Environments.

Abstract: An enterprise licensing system is provided that includes a licensing agent 172 operable to (a) provide a customer with a first set of enterprise licensable features and/or capacities and a second set of non-enterprise licensable features and/or capacities, with the enterprise licensable features and/or capacities, but not non-enterprise licensable features and/or capacities, being allocable freely by the customer among first and second computational components; (b) receive a first allocation of the members of the first set between the first and second computational components; and (c) generate first and second licenses reflecting the first allocation. The first license is for the first computational component and the second license is for the second computational component.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus for executing interoperable digital rights management (DRM) using a contents device and a method of performing an operation between the contents device and a DRM tool for interoperable DRM, and more particularly, a method and apparatus for executing a DRM tool in various environments, regardless of the type of device or type of DRM tool, using an interfaced DRM executing apparatus including a DRM processor or a DRM tool agent.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method that transmit and receive a converted format of a digital rights object between a device and a portable storage device. The apparatus for processing a digital rights object includes a transmitting/receiving module for receiving the rights object expressed in a Markup language from a rights issuer, a rights object converting module for converting the rights object into a frame having a format for communicating with a portable storage device, an interface for connecting with the portable storage device, and a control module for providing the frame to the portable storage device through the interface and receiving the converted format of the rights object from the portable storage device through the interface.

Abstract: Technologies for a Consumer Privacy Digital Rights Management system based on stable partially blind signatures that enable a license server to provide licenses for delivery to users without knowing the corresponding digital contents that users access with the license. Therefore consumer privacy is protected during license acquisition. Further, if the client DRM module in the DRM system does not disclose any information about a user's digital content access, and the messages that the client DRM module sends out are in plain text enabling verification that the client DRM module is not disclosing such information, then consumer privacy is fully protected by the DRM system.

Abstract: A device initialization method includes generating a license request for a personal media device. A timeout indicator may be obtained for a subscription associated with the personal media device. The license request and the timeout indicator may be combined to form a device license for the personal media device. The device license may be digitally-signed to form a signed device license.

Abstract: A computerized intellectual property trading exchange is disclosed for facilitating the trading of license contracts relating to intellectual property rights or pools of intellectual property rights. The exchange includes at least one intellectual property license contract relating to intellectual property rights or pools of intellectual property rights and a computer-accessible forum configured to allow a plurality of participants to trade the license contract. The plurality of participants includes at least one seller, which may be the owner, having the license contract and desiring to trade the license contract. The plurality of participants also includes at least one buyer desiring to obtain the license contract. The buyer may be an investor, speculator, market maker, or arbitrageur, who purchases the license contract to achieve appreciation. The buyer also may be a licensee, who purchases the license contract to practice the intellectual property rights.

Abstract: A management method is disclosed for managing license information indicating an allowed amount of usage of a program executable on a peripheral device or a function provided by the peripheral device.

Abstract: In a data providing server 1101, whether or not specified compressed content data D51 generated by means of a specified compression coding method corresponding to terminal identification information has been stored in a content database 1113 is detected, according to content specifying data D53 transmitted from a portable dedicated terminal 1104. If the specified compressed content data D51 has been stored, the data providing server 1101 reads and transmits this to the portable dedicated terminal 1104. And if the specified compressed content data D51 has not been stored, the data providing server 1101 generates the specified compressed content data D51 by means of the specified compression coding method, and transmits this to the portable dedicated terminal 1104. Thereby, the specified compressed content data D51 generated by means of a specified decoding method can be properly provided to the portable dedicated terminal 1104, and the user can easily view a content based on the content data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for electronically managing content. In one embodiment, information identifying content items found on a page is received from a client system through code embedded on the page. Systems and methods for associating advertisement data with content items are also disclosed.

Abstract: A content rental system includes one data store for storing rental content. The content rental system also includes a content server for transferring content to one viewing device based upon a received request. The content server is further configured to authorize the transfer of the content from the viewing device to another viewing device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow a system or client device to process multiple Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems and formats using a universal DRM client. The universal DRM client can operate based on a universal license so that it may use the same DRM scheme or format used by the content provider. A DRM system may then build a universal license that includes information for gaining access to the content in the DRM package. In turn, a DRM package and the universal license may be provided to the universal client. Based on the information in the universal license, the client device can access the protected content even if it does not have the specific client program code for the DRM format used originally by the content provider.

Abstract: For possible use in an electronic content distribution system, automatic recognition of compact discs or other storage media containing particular content, and corresponding account crediting is described. In an electronic content distribution system, such as those providing music available by digital downloading or streaming technologies, a user may ordinarily pay a full price to receive the music. A user who possesses and apparently owns a compact disc containing particular content can be conveniently offered a discount or credit usable towards the purchase of the analogous particular content in a form provided by the electronic content distribution system. Preferably, compact discs are uniquely identified by determining whether their digital fingerprint matches a known reference fingerprint for a compact disc containing the particular content.

Abstract: A content transmission apparatus is disclosed which promotes distribution of contents over a network and thereby affords better convenience to those who wish to sell and buy the contents. The apparatus is implemented typically as a video camera provided beforehand with an access account from a server apparatus. The content transmission apparatus is equipped with abilities to encode contents in a streaming format for upload and to connect communicably with the server receiving what is uploaded. These features allow the user of the content transmission apparatus easily to upload the content generated thereby to the server without going through complicated steps to sign up with an ISP; to prepare a personal computer, a modem and other hardware; or to make elaborate settings and establish connection with the server. Therefore, uploading of contents is promoted. The server apparatus presents uploaded contents illustratively at its website to solicit potential buyers extensively for the presented contents.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided for the gifting between multiple electronic devices of media content provided by an online digital media provider. An offer and acceptance of a selected gift file is accomplished between a gifter device and a receiving giftee device using a near-field communication (NFC) connection. If a connection to the online provider is available, the gifter device may transmit a gift request by which the gifter's account is charged for the gift file. Thereafter, a gift file created using DRM keys associated with the giftee's account may be downloaded to the giftee device. If a network connection is unavailable, the giftee device may transfer a locked gift file and a corresponding gift license to the giftee device using a peer-to-peer connection. The giftee device may authenticate the license and unlock the gift file once a connection to the online provider is available.

Abstract: The subject matter relates to software application collaboration and, more particularly, collaboration between software applications via formular updates. Some such embodiments include systems, methods, and software to receive a definition of a content item from a first party, wherein the content item is operable within an application of a second party to cause data to be exported by the second party's application in a manner that can be imported to an application of the first party. Some such embodiments further include sending the content item to the second party.

Abstract: An information processor is capable of restricting the available application program interface for each application program. The information processor capable of executing a predetermined application program includes at least one application program interface for providing predetermined control function for the application program, a determining unit for determining an available application program interface for the application program based on license information of the application program, and an operation controlling means for controlling the operation of the application program interfaces in accordance with the results determined by the determining unit.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamic, real-time addition of advertisements to downloaded static content. The method comprises seamlessly combining a downloaded original content file with personalized information on a user device, and allowing the user either to use the combined original content and personalized information without possibility of personalized information removal, or to remove the personalized information after a fee payment. The seamless combination and removal operations are done by a player located in the user device.

Abstract: A method for providing protected content, wherein content usage rights information and/or usage state information is embedded into obtained primary data that serves as a basis for a content item to be provided thereby providing the primary data with the embedded content usage rights information and/or usage state information as the content item.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus including: a unit information acquisition section; an identification information acquisition section; a secondary version information acquisition section; a comparison section; and an operation control section.

Abstract: Billing a customer through an intermediary billing system for a transaction by receiving, at the intermediary billing system, a transaction request associated with a transaction amount and a customer identification code, validating, in the intermediary billing system, the transaction request by determining whether the customer identification code corresponds to a customer that is registered with the intermediary billing system, and sending, in the case that the transaction request is valid, a billing event trigger associated with the customer identification code to an external billing mechanism, the billing event trigger representing the transaction amount.

Abstract: A predictive software license balancing system for allocating a predetermined number of software licenses between two or more license servers located at different sites. Each license server compiles software license usage statistics and shares the usage statistics with the other license servers. Based in the compiled software license usage over time, the software license usage for each site is predicted and the available software licenses distributed accordingly, thus balancing the number of software licenses available at each site based on predicted software license usage.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for electronically managing content licenses. In one embodiment, information identifying content items found on a page is received from a client system through code embedded on the page, and a licensing database is searched to determine if the content is licensed and to determine the terms or payment method of the license. Systems and methods for associating advertisement data with licensed content items are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating copyright information for a secondarily processed content obtained by performing secondary processing on an original content, includes a secondary processed substance acquiring unit, a default license information generating unit, and a license information editing unit. The secondary processed substance acquiring unit acquires operation substances of the secondary processing performed on the original content. The default license information generating unit obtains rights expressions for the operation substances acquired by the secondary processed substance acquiring unit to generate default license information including the rights expressions as an initial value. The license information editing unit accepts selection of a desired rights expression by a user from the rights expressions of the default license information generated by the default license information generating unit to generate license information of the secondary processed content from the selected rights expression.

Abstract: Usage rights information indicating a license which is usage rights corresponding to contents is stored in a license storage device, and at the time of using the contents, the rights information is output from the license storage device to a contents using device and further transmitted to a contents distribution server, and legitimacy verification of the rights information is executed at the contents distribution server, such that contents corresponding to the rights information are transmitted to the contents using device. Thus, a device and method is realized whereby distribution of contents over a network and use thereof is enabled without detracting from safety and user convenience.

Abstract: For possible use in an electronic content distribution system, automatic recognition of compact discs or other storage media containing particular content, and corresponding account crediting is described. In an electronic content distribution system, such as those providing music available by digital downloading or streaming technologies, a user may ordinarily pay a full price to receive the music. A user who possesses and apparently owns a compact disc containing particular content can be conveniently offered a discount or credit usable towards the purchase of the analogous particular content in a form provided by the electronic content distribution system. Preferably, compact discs are uniquely identified by determining whether their digital fingerprint matches a known reference fingerprint for a compact disc containing the particular content.

Abstract: A computerized intellectual property trading exchange is disclosed for facilitating the trading of license contracts relating to intellectual property rights. The exchange includes at least one intellectual property license contract relating to intellectual property rights and a computer-accessible forum configured to allow a plurality of participants to trade the license contract. The plurality of participants includes at least one seller, which may be the owner, having the license contract and desiring to trade the license contract. The plurality of participants also includes at least one buyer desiring to obtain the license contract. The buyer may be an investor, speculator, market maker, or arbitrageur, who purchases the license contract to achieve appreciation. The buyer also may be a licensee, who purchases the license contract to practice the intellectual property rights.

Abstract: When captured content is detected, the captured content is analyzed to determine whether any portion of the content is subject to digital rights management protection specified for content captured. Responsive to determining that the captured content is subject to a first digital rights management protection, a database is queried to select at least one digital rights management rule associated with a first restricted element specifying at least one first criteria for combining the first restricted element with at least one other element. A determination is made whether the first restricted element is combined with the at least one other element in the captured content. Responsive to detecting the first restricted element is combined with the at least one other element, the captured content rights controller determines a combined digital rights management protection rule reconciling the at least one first criteria for combining the first restricted element with the presence of the at least one other element.

Abstract: In response to receiving an order (e.g., including payment for one or more software licenses), a license distribution manager allocates a specified number of software licenses for distribution to a corresponding customer's clients that utilize the licenses to operate software associated with a corresponding vendor software application. The license distribution manager can allocate one or more overdraft licenses for distribution to the customer in addition to the specified number of software licenses associated with the order. Accordingly, the license distribution manager can allocate extra software licenses (e.g., the overdraft licenses) and distribute more software licenses than are actually purchased by a respective customer. This enables the customer to use one or more provisional licenses (e.g., overdraft licenses) that support restricted use of the vendor's software application such as until the customer can replace the provisional licenses with corresponding purchased licenses.

Abstract: Intellectual property is sold to buyers through a kiosk. The kiosk provides users with the ability of located desired content on a seller's computer. When a user located the desired intellectual property, a payment transaction is initiated. When the payment transaction is complete, the seller transmits the intellectual property to the kiosk. The kiosks also preferably include production facilities that transfer the owner's intellectual property onto a permanent medium and/or presentation facilities that present the owner's intellectual property on a one-time basis.

Abstract: Metering is enabled through an arrangement in which a metering certificate is communicated to a mobile device using an over-the-air protocol. A metering trigger provides the metering certificate that includes a location to which metering data is posted by the mobile device and a public key of a public-private key pair, or alternatively provides a link to such metering certificate. A metering helper passes the metering certificate to a DRM system on the mobile device which collects metering data associated with the metering ID and uses the public key to encrypt the metering data into a metering challenge. The metering helper posts the metering challenge to the location. The metering service extracts the metering data from the metering challenge using a private key and generates a metering response that is received by the metering helper which prompts the DRM system to reset at least a portion of a data store in which the metering data is stored.

Abstract: There are provided a content distribution system and a license management method for performing, in a collective manner, license management of a plurality of resources contained in contents. Each piece of content contains one upper-level resource (which is first referred to within the content), at least one lower-level resource (which can be referred directly or indirectly from the upper-level resource), one startup document and a license-corresponding document (which is an information file for performing, in a collective manner, license management of the resources contained in the content). The startup document contains at least upper-level resource reference destination information and at least one piece of license information for identifying view licenses required for viewing the resources contained in the content. In each resource, if link information for accessing other content is described, information for accessing the startup document of the other content is described.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for pre-performing operations for accessing protected content. Cryptographic user key pairs can be pre-generated and distributed in response to a variety of different events prior to provisioning client machine for accessing protected content. Usage licenses can be pre-generated and allocated prior to requests for usage licenses. Usage licenses can be pre-obtained for client machines prior to client machines access protected content. Pre-performed operations can be performed in response to detected events, such as, for example, reduced resource consumption in a Digital Rights Management system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an elapsed playback time associated with a digital playback device is determined and compared to an allotted playback time for the device. In the event the elapsed and allotted playback times satisfy a predetermined relationship with respect to one another, further content playback on the device may be denied or otherwise regulated until content playback rights intrinsic to the device are renewed or “recharged”.

Abstract: A system and method of managing external content that is used within a software product or software development process is disclosed. In some approaches, the system and method manages and tracks the use of external content, as well an approval process for determining whether the external content is to be used or incorporated. The system and method manages and tracks compliance with terms and restrictions of the external content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for marketing an un-owned composition to a user and acquiring an un-owned composition for a user's collection of compositions. A customized sequence of compositions is generated for a user. The customized sequence may be based upon the user's history or other compositions familiar to the user or other compositions in the user's collection. Portions of one or more compositions that are un-owned by the user may be interleaved for free and/or for multiple times in the sequence, in-order to interest the user in acquiring the composition. While an un-owned composition is active or playing, the user may take action to acquire the composition or add the composition to the user's collection. Usage-rights for an acquired composition may be stored at a network repository and may be automatically usable at one or more user-devices, whenever the user is active at such a user-device.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for carrying out a transaction. Initially, a transaction pattern reflecting a transaction is stored in memory. Thereafter, the transaction pattern is executed to carry out the transaction in an automated manner.

Abstract: A method for open-text searching of information sources owned by a library is provided. The method uses existing full-text search engines and databases of open-text scans of text documents to provide searches which are limited to the actual set of information sources owned by or within a physical library. This set of information sources may be defined by a listing of ISBN or document identification numbers at an access rights database. Users may access this system from computer terminals within the library, or offsite using a unique library patron identification card. Constraints may be placed on the searches which limit the number of users searching a specific book at one time or the level of search access permitted.

Abstract: Software is governed by a digital license that specifies a certificate that must be present in order for the software (or certain features thereof) to be used. A root authority authorizes a license server to issue certificates that are called for in the digital license for an item of software. The software and the digital license are installed on a machine, and the machine enrolls with the license server to obtain the certificate. When the software is run, an enforcement component evaluates the license to determine what certificate is required, and then evaluates the certificate to determine whether it meets the requirements of a license. If the certificate is invalid, the enforcement component may disable the software, or may disable certain features of the software.