Thomas J Rodriguez

US Patent:

7155415, Dec 26, 2006

Filed:

Apr 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/827469

Inventors:

Chris Russell - Culver City CA, US
Todd Avery Outten - Los Angeles CA, US
Bryan Gentry Spaulding - San Francisco CA, US
Scott Jeffrey Sherr - Brentwood CA, US
Ira Steven Rubenstein - Los Angeles CA, US
Yair Landau - Pacific Palisades CA, US
Brian David Lakamp - Malibu CA, US
Jeremy Eli Barnett - Pacific Palisades CA, US
Douglas Daiseug Chey - Santa Monica CA, US
Michael R. Arrieta - Rolling Hills Estates CA, US
Mary Korman - Venice CA, US
Harish Mandyam - Playa del Rey CA, US
Thomas M. Rodriguez - Culver City CA, US
Andrew Mosson - San Francisco CA, US
Ernesto Brodersohn - Burlingame CA, US
Mary Abraham - Oak Park CA, US

Assignee:

Movielink LLC - Santa Monica CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/60

US Classification:

705 59, 705 50, 705 57, 705 52

Abstract:

Embodiments of the present invention overcome the problems in the existing art described above by providing a secure digital content licensing system and method. Rental of the digital content occurs within an online environment including one or more user network-enabled devices and one or more server network devices connected by a communications link to the one or more user network-enabled devices. A user selects content displayed on a main website and requests download of the selected content to the user network-enabled device. To be able to access the content the user must obtain a license. The user's request for a license for specific content comprises information about a desired rental model, an expiration date for the rental model, and information that identifies the user's user network-enabled device, along with other information. A license for the content is generated which comprises the above information and also includes an encryption key for the selected movie. Media player and security technology residing on the user network-enabled device provides protection against unauthorized access to the content by ensuring that only licensed content is viewed and is accessed according to the rental model contained in the license.