Technologies for selective content licensing and secure playback

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016381405-A1
Application number	US-201514751901-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 26, 2015
Priority date	Jun 26, 2015
Publication date	Dec 29, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Technologies for selectively licensing segments of source content are described. In some embodiments the technologies enable a user of a client device to select, license, and use one or more segments of source content, without the need to obtain a license to the source content as a whole. Systems, methods, and computer readable media utilizing such technologies are also described. In some embodiments, the technologies can enable digital rights management or other restrictions imposed on a content segment to be enforced, even when the content segment is incorporated into diverse content such as a content mashup. The technologies may also enable independent tracking of information regarding the use and/or payback of content segments, even when such segments are included in diverse content.

First claim

1 . A client device for selectively licensing content segments, comprising a processor, a memory, and a digital rights management module, wherein:
the client device is configured to receive at least one licensed content segment and a license for the at least one licensed content segment from a server device, the at least one licensed content segment being a portion of corresponding source content that is available for license through the server device, the license imposing one or more restrictions on the at least one licensed content segment; and the digital rights management module is configure to enforce said restrictions on the at least one licensed content segment.

2 . The client device of claim 1 , wherein the digital rights management module is further configured to cause the client device to request a license for the at least one licensed content segment from the server device.

3 . The client device of claim 2 , wherein the digital rights management module is configured to cause the client device to request the license at least in part by causing the client device to transmit a content request message to the server device, the content request message identifying a requested content segment of a corresponding piece of source content that is available for license through the server device, the requested content segment corresponding to said licensed content segment.

4 . The client device of claim 3 , wherein the content request message comprises content selection information, said content selection information being selected from the group consisting of a name of the source content corresponding to the requested content segment, a time frame for the requested content segment, a frame range for the requested content segment, references to one or more characters, actors, figures, scene, locations, colors, sounds, special effects, stunts, stunt persons, animals, or objects, or one or more combinations thereof.

5 . The client device of claim 4 , wherein:
the license comprises license terms governing the use of the licensed content segment; and the digital rights management module is further configured to enforce said license terms.

6 . The client device of claim 5 , wherein the content request message is configured to cause the server device to determine said license terms, and to transmit a license terms message containing said license terms to said client device.

7 . The client device of claim 6 , wherein:
said server device is authorized to license a plurality of predefined content segments; and the content request message is configured to cause the server device to determine said license terms at least in part by determining which of the plurality of predetermined content segments corresponds to the requested content segment, and selecting one or more predetermined license terms associated with a predetermined content segment that corresponds to the requested content segment.

8 . The client device of claim 6 , wherein the content request message is configured to cause the server device to dynamically determine said license terms at least in part by negotiating said license terms with said client device.

9 . The client device of claim 1 , wherein said client device further comprises a protected environment, and the digital rights management module is maintained within the protected environment.

10 . A method for selectively licensing content segments, comprising, with a client device:
receiving at least one licensed content segment and a license for the at least one licensed content segment from a server device, the at least one licensed content segment being a portion of corresponding source content that is available for license through the server device, the license imposing one or more restrictions on the at least one licensed content segment; and enforcing said restrictions on the at least one licensed content segment.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising, with the client device:
requesting the license for the at least one licensed content segment from the server device.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein requesting the license comprises transmitting a content request message from the client device to the server device, the content request message identifying a requested content segment of a corresponding piece of source content that is available for license through the server device, the requested content segment corresponding to said licensed content segment.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the content request message comprises content selection information, said content selection information being selected from the group consisting of a name of the source content corresponding to the requested content segment, a time frame for the requested content segment, a frame range for the requested content segment, references to one or more characters, actors, figures, scene, locations, colors, sounds, special effects, stunts, stunt persons, animals, or objects, or one or more combinations thereof.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the license comprises license terms defining said restrictions; and the content request message is configured to cause the server device to determine said license terms, and to transmit a license terms message containing said license terms to said client device.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the content request message is configured to cause the server device to determine said license terms at least in part by selecting one or more predetermined licensing terms from a licensing database maintained locally or remotely from the server device.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said server device is authorized to license a plurality of predefined content segments; and the content request message is configured to cause the server device to determine said license terms at least in part by determining which of the plurality of predetermined content segments correspond to the requested content segment, and

17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the content request message is configured to cause the server device to dynamically determine said license terms at least in part by negotiating said license terms with said client device.

18 . At least one computer readable medium comprising instructions for selectively licensing content segments which when executed by a client device cause the performance of the following operations comprising:
receiving at least one licensed content segment and a license for the at least one licensed content segment from a server device, the at least one licensed content segment being a portion of corresponding source content that is available for license through the server device, the license imposing one or more restrictions on the at least one licensed content segment; and enforcing said restrictions on the at least one licensed content segment.

19 . The at least one computer readable medium of claim 18 , wherein the instructions when further executed result in the performance of the following operations comprising, with the client device:
requesting the license for the at least one licensed content segment from the server device.

20 . The at least one computer readable medium of claim 18 , wherein requesting the license comprises transmitting a content request message from the client device to the server device, the content request message identifying a requested content segment of a corresponding piece of source content that is available for license through the server device, the requested content segmen

Assignees

• Smith Ned M
• Poornachandran Rajesh
• Epshteyn Yeugeniy

Inventors

• Smith Ned M
• Poornachandran Rajesh
• Epshteyn Yeugeniy

Classifications

• H04N21/8456

  by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments · CPC title

• H04N21/4627

  Rights management {associated to the content (security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08)} · CPC title

• H04N21/2541 Primary

  Rights Management (protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08) · CPC title

• H04N21/8355

  involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed · CPC title

• G06F21/10 Primary

  Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material (protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16) {; Digital rights management [DRM]} · CPC title