CN101529462A - Method and system for providing content subscription service - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for distributing digital content managed by a digital license. The license has identification data for the licensed content and is sent to the client device. After reception by the client, the first and second content items are sent to the client. The first and second content items have first and second identification data, respectively, which are different from each other. A portion of the first and second content items is in encrypted form. The encrypted portions of the first and second items of content are decrypted if the first and second identification data correspond to identification data for licensed content. The identification data for the licensed content remains unchanged after the license is sent to the client.

Description

Method and system for providing content subscription service

technical field

The present invention relates to the field of content delivery. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of distributing digital content governed by digital licenses.

Background technique

Providers of digital video content, audio content, or other types of content are often reluctant to deliver such content via the Internet without effective content protection. While technology exists for content providers to provide content via the Internet, digital content is of course easy to copy with or without the authorization of the owner. The Internet allows content to be delivered from the owner, but the same technology also allows unauthorized, copied content to be distributed generally.

Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a digital content protection model that has come into use in recent years as a method for protecting file distribution. DRM typically includes a complex collection of technologies and business models to protect digital media or other data and provide revenue to content owners.

Many known DRM systems use a storage device, such as a computer's hard drive component, that contains an unencrypted set of content (or other data) provided by the content owner. The content on the storage device resides in a trusted zone behind a firewall. Within the trusted zone, content residing on the storage device may be encrypted. A content server receives encrypted content from a storage device and packages the encrypted content for distribution. A license server holds a description of rights and usage rules associated with encrypted content, and associated encryption keys. (The content server and the license server are sometimes part of the content provider's system owned or controlled by the content provider (such as a studio) or service provider.) The playback device or client receives encrypted content from the content server for display and downloads it from the The license server receives licenses for the specified access rights.

Some DRM processing consists of requesting a content item, encrypting the item with a content key, storing the content key in a content digital license, distributing the encrypted content to a playback device, delivering to the playback device a digital license file, and decrypt the content file and play it under the usage rules specified in the digital license.

However, these known DRM schemes can place a burden on the content or service provider's servers due to the increasing amount of content being delivered to end users. For each request made by each user for a particular content item, the server is required to create a "package" ("package"), including generating a decryption key, generating a content license, and encrypting the content itself.

For distribution involving a subscription model of commerce, using known DRM schemes in which each content item is "packaged" for the subscriber places an increasing burden on the content provider's server. If a user pays in advance for a license for content subscription, it may happen that the content accessible by this user increases over time and may exceed the content paid for.

Accordingly, an improved method and system of protection mechanisms are desired to accomplish the delivery of protected data or media.

Contents of the invention

Methods and systems for distributing digital content governed by digital licenses are disclosed. According to some embodiments of the present invention, licenses and content are facilitated to be issued to users such that, after a license has been received, one license can govern usage rights for multiple content items received by a client device. Also, the license has data located in the licensed content identification field that remains unchanged after the license is received by the user. Thus, embodiments of the present invention can be used as part of a subscription business model whereby a client is issued a license, after which multiple content items can be sent to the client and used by it under the control of the one license .

In one aspect, a license is sent to the client with identification data for the licensed content. The first content item is sent to the client after the license is received by the client. The first content item has first content identification data, and at least a portion of the first content item is in encrypted form. Similarly, the second content item is sent to the client after the license is received by the client. The second content item has second content identification data different from the first content identification data. At least a portion of the second content item is in encrypted form.

If the first content identification data corresponds to identification data for the licensed content, the first content item is decrypted. Similarly, if the second content identification data corresponds to identification data for the licensed content, the second content item is decrypted. The identification data for the licensed content remains unchanged after the license is sent to the client.

In another aspect, the first content item and the second content item are sent to the client at different points in time, wherein the points in time are separated from each other by an interval of at least about one day.

In another aspect, the license has a first subkey, the first content item has a second subkey, and the second content item has a third subkey. A first decryption key is generated using the first and second subkeys, and a second decryption key is generated using the first and third subkeys. The first content item is decrypted using the first decryption key, and the second item is decrypted using the second decryption key.

In another embodiment, the license is sent to the client with identification data for the licensed content and with play count data. The first content item is sent to the client after the license is received by the client. At least a portion of the first content item is in encrypted form. The first content item has first content identification data and is composed of N discretely available sub-content items, where N is an integer greater than two. If the first content identification data corresponds to identification data for the licensed content, decrypting at least a portion of P of the N discretely available sub-content items, where P is an integer less than N, and where P corresponds to play count data. Identification data and play count data for licensed content remain unchanged after the license is sent to the client. In other embodiments, the N discretely available sub-content items may consist of N television programs, or may consist of N musical compositions.

In yet another embodiment, a data structure for sending to a client and for licensing a first plurality of content items for use by the client is provided. Each of the first plurality of content items has a first content identification field. The data structure includes a first license identification field for specifying the identity of each of the first plurality of content items and for storing a first set of identities corresponding to each of the first plurality of content items. Identification data. After the point in time when the data structure is sent to the client, the first license identification field and the plurality of first content identification fields are adapted to allow the client to use the first plurality of content items when the client receives the first plurality of content items . The first set of identification data is adapted to remain unchanged after the data structure is sent to the client.

There are additional aspects to the invention. It is therefore to be understood that the foregoing is only a brief summary of certain embodiments and aspects of the invention. Further embodiments and aspects are cited below. It should also be understood that many changes may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The foregoing summary is therefore not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Description of drawings

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and better understood from the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a simplified block diagram of a content providing system according to some embodiments for distributing content;

Figure 2 is a simplified block diagram of a hardware environment for a client device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a simplified block diagram of a portion of a content providing system according to some embodiments for distributing content;

Figure 4 is a simplified diagram of a digital license according to some embodiments of the invention;

Figure 5 is a simplified diagram of a digital content item according to some embodiments of the invention;

Figure 6 is a simplified diagram of another digital content item according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a simplified diagram of another digital content item according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a simplified diagram of another digital content item according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating assignment of an identification field value according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 10 is a simplified flowchart of a method of distributing content according to some embodiments of the invention.

Detailed ways

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and operational changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , there is shown an example configuration of a content providing system 10 to which the present invention is applied. The content providing system 10 processes protected content, which may include video data, audio data, image data, text data, and the like. Each of the license server 12, the content server 14, and the billing server 16 is connected to the client 18 and to each other via a network 20, such as the Internet. In this example, only one client 18 is shown, but those skilled in the art will understand that any number of clients may be connected to the network 20 .

Content server 14 provides content to clients 18 . The license server 12 grants the client 18 a license 22 with a subscription area 24 necessary to use the content. The billing server 16 is used to bill the client 18 when the license 22 is granted to the client 18 . Although the illustrated embodiment shows three servers in communication with clients 18, it will be appreciated that all of these server functions may be included in fewer or more servers than the three servers shown here.

FIG. 2 shows an example configuration of client 18 . Referring to FIG. 2 , a central processing unit (CPU) 30 performs various processing operations as directed by programs stored in a read only memory (ROM) 32 or loaded from a storage unit 34 into a random access memory (RAM) 36 . The RAM 36 also stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 30 to perform various processing operations as required.

CPU 30, ROM 32, and RAM 36 are interconnected via bus 38. The bus 38 also connects input devices 40, such as a keyboard and mouse, output devices 42, such as a CRT or LCD-based display unit and speakers, a storage unit 34, such as a hard drive-based, and a modem-based, network interface card ( NIC) or other communication device 44 of the terminal adapter.

ROM 32, RAM 36 and/or storage unit 34 store operating software for enabling client 18 operation. Buffer 46 receives and buffers successive portions of streaming encrypted content from content server 14 (FIG. 1) via network 20 while using an associated decryption key (not shown) required to decrypt the encrypted content. The encrypted content and associated decryption key are sent to decoder 48 . Decoder 48 decrypts and decodes the content using a decryption key associated with the content.

The communication device 44 performs communication processing via the network 20, transmits data supplied from the CPU 30, and outputs data received from the network 20 to the CPU 30, the RAM 36, and the storage unit 34. The storage unit 34 transfers information using the CPU 30 to store and delete information. Communication devices also transmit analog or digital signals with other clients.

The bus 38 is also connected as needed with a drive 50 on which, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is loaded, for installing a computer program or other data read from any of these recording media into a storage medium. Inside unit 34.

Although not shown, the content server 14, the license server 12, and the billing server 16 (FIG. 1) are also all configured as computers having substantially the same configuration as that of the client 18 shown in FIG. Although FIG. 2 shows one configuration of client 18, alternative embodiments include set-top boxes, personal computers, portable playback devices, or any other type of computer device.

In the content providing system 10, license and content servers 12, 14 send licenses 22 and content to clients 18 (FIG. 1). A license 22 is required to enable a client 18 to use (ie present, render, copy, execute, etc.) the protected content, typically in encrypted form.

Each content item is provisioned and encrypted by the service provider organization using one or more encryption keys. The client 18 decrypts and renders the received content item based on the license information and the content. In some embodiments, the license information includes usage rights, such as an expiration date beyond which the content item cannot be used, the number of times the content can be used, the number of times the content can be copied to a recording medium, such as a CD, and the number of times the content can be taken out. to the portable device.

Fig. 3 illustrates a mechanism for granting rights to content and for using content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 3, a license server 62, a license 64, a client 66, and a number of content items are shown. A license server 62 is owned or controlled by a trusted issuer and issues licenses 64 to clients 66 belonging to users. Available for download or reception by client 66 are a number of content items, including in this example:

(i) contains titles "Sex and the City-Series 1", "Sex and the City-Series 2", "Sex and the City-Series 3", "Sex and the City-Series 4" and "Sex and the City-Series 4" and "Sex and the City-Series 2" Five main content items 68a-68e of the five television program series of City-Series 5";

(ii) contains titles "Clip: Sex and the City-Series 1", "Clip: Sex and the City-Series 2", "Clip: Sex and the City-Series 3", "Clip: Sex and the City-Series 4 " and five clips of "Clip: Sex and the City-Series 5" or five clip content items 70a-70f of the bonus track, each of which is associated with a similarly titled main content item 68a-68f .

(iii) Ten video preview content items 72a-72j titled "Video Preview #1", "Video Preview #2", etc., up to "Video Preview #10", containing references to ten movies, other TV shows (which can be other "Sex and the City" shows or different TV shows), or previews of other types of video content; and

(iv) ten audio preview items 74a-74j titled "Audio Preview #1", "Audio Preview #2", etc. up to "Audio Preview #10", containing references to ten musical compositions, such as songs or instruments, or Previews for other types of audio content.

Depending on the conditions and rights granted by the license 64, one or more of these content items may be used by the client 66. However, if license 64 does not grant rights to one or more of these content items, they cannot be used, although they may be received and stored by client 66 in an unusable form.

Figure 4 is a simplified representation of a license 64 and certain data or information contained within the license 64, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4 , the license 64 has a reservation area 76 and a subkey area 78 . Subkey area 78 contains one or more subkeys 80, which may be used to generate one or more decryption keys, as explained further below. The subscription area 76 contains a main content identification field 82 , a preview identification field 86 , a clip identification field 84 , and a play count field 88 . As explained further below, value or attribute data may be inserted into these fields for controlling client 66 access or use of certain content items.

Figure 5 is a simplified representation of the main content item 68a entitled "Sex and the City - Series 1". Referring to FIG. 5 , content item 68 a has subscription area 102 , subkey area 104 , and content area 106 . Subkey area 104 contains one or more subkeys 108, which may be combined by client 66 with one or more associated subkeys 80 (FIG. 4) contained in license 64, thereby using an algorithm to derive a key for the content. One or more decryption keys (not shown). Therefore, in order to enhance DRM security, the client 66 must have both the license 64 and the content item 68a in order to extract a subkey from each of the license 64 and the content item 68a, which in turn is used to derive one or more decryption keys. key.

The subscription area 102 contains a primary content identification field 110 in which value or attribute data corresponding to the identity of the primary content item, "Sex and the City-Series 1" 68a, can be placed. The content area 106 contains ten discretely available sub-content items, in this example the ten segments or programs 112a-112j that make up the main content of the series "Sex and the City-Series 1" 68a. In this example, the segments 112a-112j are named "Series 1-Segment 1", "Series 1-Segment 2", through "Series 1-Segment 10". Although FIG. 5 shows content item "Sex and the City-Series 1" 68a, it will be appreciated that the remaining four main content items 68b-68e (FIG. 3) have a similar content structure.

Also, it will be appreciated that alternative embodiments include not only primary content items of a television series, but also collections of television programs that may be related to each other (as in a TV series) or may be unrelated to each other. Primary content items may also include movies, documentaries, theatrical productions, lectures, music videos, musical compositions, and other audio, visual, or audio/visual content. These primary content items may or may not include discretely available sub-content items.

Figure 6 is a simplified representation of a bonus track or clip content item 70a entitled "Clip: Sex and the City - Series 1". Referring to FIG. 6 , the clipped content 70 a has a reservation area 114 , a subkey area 116 , and a clipped content area 118 . Subkey area 116 contains subkey 120, which may be combined by client 66 with associated subkey 80 (FIG. 4) contained in license 64, thereby deriving the decryption key for that clip content item 70a using an algorithm. .

The reservation area 114 contains a clip identification field 122 in which value or attribute data corresponding to the identity of the clip content item "Clip: Sex and the City-Series 1" 70a can be placed. Content area 118 contains a bonus audio track or clip 124 associated with the series' main content item "Sex and the City - Series 1" 68a. Although FIG. 6 shows the clip content item "Clip: Sex and the City-Series 1" 70a, it will be appreciated that the remaining four clip content items 70b-70e (FIG. 3) have a similar content structure.

Figure 7 is a simplified representation of an audio preview content item 74a entitled "Audio Preview #1". Referring to FIG. 7 , the content 74a has a reservation area 126 , a subkey area 128 , and a preview content area 130 . Subkey area 128 contains subkey 132, which may be combined by client 66 with associated subkey 80 (FIG. 4) contained in license 64, from which an algorithm is used to derive a decryption key for the audio preview content 74a (not shown).

The subscription area 126 contains a preview identification field 134 in which value or property data corresponding to the identity of the audio preview content item "Audio Preview #1" 74a can be placed. Content area 130 contains audio preview content 136 itself corresponding to the full version of the audio content (not shown) being previewed. Although FIG. 7 shows audio preview content item "Audio Preview #1" 74a, it will be appreciated that the remaining nine audio preview content items 74b-74j (FIG. 3) have a similar content structure.

Figure 8 is a simplified representation of a video preview content item 72a titled "Video Preview #1". Referring to FIG. 8 , a content item 72 a has a reservation area 138 , a subkey area 140 , and a preview content area 142 . Subkey area 140 contains subkey 144, which can be combined by client 66 with associated subkey 80 (FIG. 4) contained in license 64, thereby using an algorithm to derive the decryption key for the video preview content 72a. key (not shown).

The subscription area 138 contains a preview identification field 146 in which value or attribute data corresponding to the identity of the video preview content item "Video Preview #1" 72a can be placed. Content area 142 contains video preview content 148 itself corresponding to the full version of the video content (not shown) being previewed, which may be a movie, television series or episode, music video, or other video content. Although FIG. 8 shows video preview content item "Video Preview #1" 72a, it will be appreciated that the remaining nine video preview content items 72b-72j (FIG. 3) have a similar content structure.

The following is a description of the operation of one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9 shows attributes placed in the identification fields of the main content items 68a-68e, clip content items 70a-70e, audio preview content items 74a-74j, and video preview content items 72a-72j (FIG. 3), according to this example. or the specified plot of value data. In other words, in this example, the content identification field 110 (FIG. 5) for the primary content item 68a titled "Sex and the City-Series 1" contains a value or attribute of "1". Similarly, the content identification field 110 for the primary content item 68b titled "Sex and the City - Series 2" contains the value or attribute "2", and so on. A similar value designation schema is established for clip content 70a-70e (FIG. 3). However, video and audio preview content items use different identification systems. All Video Preview Content field items 146 (FIG. 8) contain the same value, in this example the value "2". Similarly, all audio preview content field items 134 (FIG. 7) contain a value of "1".

However, it will be understood that other embodiments of the invention may use a different system of identifying field values or attributes including another numbering system or alphanumeric designation or variables, or the like.

With the identification fields of the various content items so populated, it is facilitated to issue licenses and content to users such that after a license 64 has been received, one license can govern usage rights for multiple content items received by a client 66. . Also, the data in the identification fields 82, 84, 86, 88 of the license 64 remains unchanged after the license 64 is received. Accordingly, certain embodiments of the present invention may be used as part of a subscription business model, whereby one license is issued to a client, and thereafter multiple content items may be sent to the client and made available under the one license. Use under control. The content item may be sent to the client at a time point approximately one hour, one day, one week, or other time interval later than the user desires and the content provider allows, for example, if the user pays for and receives a value with the primary content identification field 82 If the license 64 is "1", then the client 66 will only be able to use the content item 68a titled "Sex and the City-Series 1". However, all ten segments 112a-112j in series 1 will be available. In other words, the client 66 reads the primary content identification field data found in the license 64 and compares that data with the content identification field data found in the primary content item 68a itself. If the data correspond to each other (eg, they match or fall within a range of values, etc.), client 66 can use the content by using one or more decryption keys generated using subkeys as previously described. Other content items, such as "Sex and the City-series 2", etc., though potentially capable of being downloaded or received by the client 66, cannot be used under the license 64 in this example.

Play count field 88 (FIG. 4) in license 64 indicates how many segments within any given series of primary content items can be used. Assuming the content identification field 82 of the license 64 has the appropriate value data therein, if the play count field is empty, then all segments can be used. On the other hand, for example, if license 64 has a content identification field value of "3", and a play count field value of "5", then client 66 may only use content 68c titled "Sex and the City - Series 3" Any five fragments. However, under this license 64 no more than five different segments may be used in this example.

As another example, if the license 64 has a primary content identification field 82 containing the expression: "1≤[content i.d.]≤5", and the play count field 88 is empty, then the client 66 will be able to use all five " All ten episodes in each of "Sex and the City" series 68a-68e. As yet another example, if the primary content identification field 82 of the license contains the expression: "1||4", and the play count field is empty, the client 66 will be able to use only two specific primary content items: "Sex and All ten segments of each of the City - Series 1" 68a and "Sex and the City - Series 4" 68d.

Client 66 uses the contents of clip content identification field 84 (FIG. 4) in subscription area 76 of license 64 in a similar manner. The data in the clip content field 84 indicates which clip or bonus track content items the client 66 is permitted to use. So, for example, if the license 64 has a primary content identification field 82 containing a value of "2" and a clip content identification field 84 containing a value of "2", then the client 66 will not only be able to use 2" main content 68b, and clip content "Clip: Sex and the City-Series 2" 70b can also be used. According to certain business models, such a license 64 will cost more money than a license with no value in the clip identification field, because the user will be able to view the clip or bonus audio track associated with the main content, as well as view the main content itself.

The music and video preview identification fields 134, 136 (FIGS. 7 & 8) operate differently. The license preview identification field 86 (FIG. 4) allows the use of all of the following: one preview (eg video or audio) or the other or both. Thus, for example, if preview identification field 86 in license 64 contains a value of "1," then client 66 may use ", but the client 66 cannot use any of the video preview content items (FIG. 9). On the other hand, if the preview identification field 86 in the license 64 contains a value of "2", then the client 66 can use ” for all ten video preview content items, but cannot use any audio preview content items. In alternative embodiments, however, the audio and video preview content may be grouped in other arrangements, or may be individually identified with unique values in each of their respective identification fields. In this case, access to the preview content can be controlled in a manner similar to the aforementioned main content item.

Figure 10 is a simplified flowchart of a method of distributing content according to some embodiments of the invention. A license is sent to the client 160 with identification data for the licensed content. Subsequently, the first content item is sent to the client 162 after the license is received by the client. The first content item has first content identification data, and at least a portion of the first content item is in encrypted form. A determination is then made 164 as to whether the first content identification data corresponds to identification data for the licensed content. If the data correspond, then the encrypted portion 168 of the first content item is decrypted.

Next, the second content item is sent to the client 170 . The second content item has second content identification data different from the first content identification data, and at least a portion of the second content item is in encrypted form. However, if the determination represented by block 164 shows that the data does not correspond, then the first content item cannot be decrypted, and instead the process proceeds to block 170 where the second content item is sent to the client. A determination is made 174 as to whether the second content identification data corresponds to identification data for the licensed content. If the data does not correspond, the process stops 172 . On the other hand, if the data correspond, then the encrypted portion 176 of the second content item is decrypted. Throughout the process described above, the identification data for the licensed content remains unchanged after the license is sent to the client.

Accordingly, methods and systems for distributing digital content governed by digital licenses are provided. According to some embodiments, the issuance of licenses and content to users is facilitated such that, after a license is received, one license can govern usage rights for multiple content items received by a client device. Also, the license has data in the Licensed Content Identification field that remains unchanged after the license has been received by the user. Thus, embodiments of the present invention can be used as part of a subscription business model whereby one license is issued to a client, after which multiple content items can be sent to the client and be under the control of the one license use.

While the above description refers to particular embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be is included in it.

Claims (41)

1. the method for the content used by client of a distribution, described method comprises:

Licence is sent to described client, and described licence has the identification data that is used for institute's licensed content;

After described client receives described licence, the first content item is sent to described client,

At least a portion of wherein said first content item is an encrypted form, and wherein said first content item has the first content identification data;

After described client receives described licence, the second content item is sent to described client,

At least a portion of wherein said second content item is an encrypted form, and wherein said second content item has the second content identification data that is different from described first content identification data;

If the described identification data of described first content identification data licensed content corresponding to being used for is then deciphered the encryption section of described first content item; And

If the described identification data of described second content identification data licensed content corresponding to being used for is then deciphered the encryption section of described second content item,

The described identification data that wherein is used for institute's licensed content is suitable for remaining unchanged after described licence sends to described client.

2. method according to claim 1, wherein said first content item sends to described client with described second content item at different time points, wherein said about at least one hour time interval of time point each interval.

3. method according to claim 1, wherein said first content item sends to described client with described second content item at different time points, wherein said about at least one day time interval of time point each interval.

4. method according to claim 1, wherein said first content item comprises in first film and at least a portion first television series, and wherein said second content item comprises one montage in second film and at least a portion second television series.

5. method according to claim 1, wherein said first content item comprises in film and at least a portion television series, and wherein said second content item comprises described one montage in described film and the described at least a portion television series.

6. method according to claim 1, wherein said licence has first sub-key, and wherein said first content item has second sub-key, and wherein said second content item has the 3rd sub-key, and described method also comprises:

Use described first and second sub-keys to generate first decruption key; And

Use the described first and the 3rd sub-key to generate second decruption key;

The encryption section of wherein deciphering described first content item comprises and uses described first decruption key to decipher described first content item; And

The encryption section of wherein deciphering described second content item comprises and uses described second decruption key to decipher described second content item.

7. the method for the content used by client of a distribution, described method comprises:

Licence is sent to described client, and described licence has the identification data that is used for institute's licensed content;

After described client receives described licence, at least five content items are sent to described client, at least a portion of in wherein said at least five content items each is an encrypted form, in wherein said at least five content items each has the first content identification data corresponding to value, and does not wherein have two described values to equate; And

If be used for each the described identification data of described first content identification data licensed content of described at least five content items, then decipher in described five content items the encryption section of each at least corresponding to being used for;

The described identification data that wherein is used for institute's licensed content is suitable for remaining unchanged after described licence sends to described client.

8. method according to claim 7, each in wherein said at least five content items sends to described client at different time points, the about at least one hour time interval of each each interval in the wherein said time point.

9. method according to claim 7, each in wherein said at least five content items sends to described client at different time points, the about at least one day time interval of each each interval in the wherein said time point.

10. method according to claim 7, wherein said at least five content items comprise at least five films.

11. method according to claim 7, wherein said at least five content items comprise at least five group TV programme.

12. method according to claim 7, wherein said at least five content items comprise at least five musical workss.

13. the method for the content that a distribution is used by client, described method comprises:

Licence is sent to described client, and described licence has the identification data that is used for institute's licensed content;

After described client receives described licence, at least five content items are sent to described client, at least a portion of in wherein said at least five content items each is an encrypted form, in wherein said at least five content items each has the first content identification data corresponding to value, and in wherein said at least five values each is equal to each other; And

If the described identification data of described first content identification data licensed content corresponding to being used for is then deciphered in described five content items the encryption section of each at least;

The described identification data that wherein is used for institute's licensed content is suitable for remaining unchanged after described licence sends to described client.

14. method according to claim 13, each in wherein said at least five content items sends to described client at different time points, the about at least one day time interval of each each interval in the wherein said time point.

15. method according to claim 13, each in wherein said at least five content items comprises video preview.

16. method according to claim 13, each in wherein said at least five content items comprises audio preview.

17. method according to claim 13, wherein said licence also has the licence sub-key, and in wherein said at least five content items each has the content sub-key, and described method also comprises:

Use described licence sub-key and described content sub-key generating solution decryption key;

Wherein decipher the encryption section of each in described at least five content items and comprise the encryption section that uses in described five content items of described decruption key deciphering each at least.

18. the method for the content that a distribution is used by client, described method comprises:

Licence is sent to described client, and described licence has the identification data that is used for institute's licensed content and has the play count data;

After described licence is received by described client, the first content item is sent to described client, at least a portion of wherein said first content item is an encrypted form, wherein said first content item has the first content identification data, and wherein said first content item comprises N discrete usable items of subcontent, and wherein N is the integer greater than 2; And

If the described identification data of described first content identification data licensed content corresponding to being used for, if and P is corresponding to described play count data, wherein P is the integer less than N, then deciphers each at least a portion that is no more than P in described N the discrete usable items of subcontent;

The described identification data and the described play count data that wherein are used for institute's licensed content are suitable for remaining unchanged after described licence sends to described client.

19. method according to claim 18, wherein said N discrete usable items of subcontent comprises N TV programme.

20. method according to claim 18, wherein said N discrete usable items of subcontent comprises N musical works.

21. a data structure that is used to send to client and is used to permit the first group of a plurality of content item that uses for described client, each in wherein said first group of a plurality of content item has the first content identification field, and described data structure comprises:

The first licence identification field is used to specify each the identity in described first group of a plurality of content item, and is used for preserving the first group id data of described identity corresponding to each of described first group of a plurality of content item;

The wherein said first licence identification field and described a plurality of first content identification field are suitable for after described data structure sends to the time point of described client allowing described client to use described first group of a plurality of content item when described client receives described first group of a plurality of content item; And

The wherein said first group id data are suitable for remaining unchanged after described data structure sends to described client.

22. data structure according to claim 21, at least a portion of each is encrypted in wherein said first group of a plurality of content item, and wherein said first group of a plurality of content item have a plurality of content sub-keys, and described data structure also comprises:

A plurality of licence sub-keys are suitable for using with described a plurality of content sub-keys, are applicable to a plurality of decruption keys of the encryption section of each in the described first group of a plurality of content item of deciphering with generation.

23. data structure according to claim 21, wherein said first group of a plurality of content item comprise in a plurality of films and the many group TV programme, wherein said data structure also is used to permit the second group of a plurality of content item that comprises a plurality of montages, and each in wherein said a plurality of montage has the clip content identification field, and described data structure also comprises:

The second licence identification field is used to specify each the identity in described a plurality of montage, and is used for preserving the second group id data of described identity corresponding to each of described a plurality of montages;

Wherein, the described second licence identification field and described a plurality of clip content identification field are suitable for after described data structure sends to the time point of described client allowing described client to use described a plurality of montage when described client receives described a plurality of montage; And

The wherein said second group id data are suitable for remaining unchanged after described data structure sends to described client.

24. data structure according to claim 23, wherein, the at least a portion of each is encrypted in described first and second groups of a plurality of content items, and wherein said first and second groups of a plurality of content items have a plurality of content sub-keys, and described data structure also comprises:

A plurality of licence sub-keys are suitable for using with described a plurality of content sub-keys, are applicable to a plurality of decruption keys of the encryption section of each in the described first and second groups of a plurality of content items of deciphering with generation.

25. data structure according to claim 21, wherein said first group of a plurality of content item are many group TV programme, each group in wherein said many group TV programme is made up of N TV programme at least, and wherein N is the integer greater than 2, and described data structure also comprises:

The second licence field is used to specify the quantity of P TV programme, and wherein P is the integer less than N;

The wherein said second licence field is suitable for allowing described client to use being no more than the individual TV programme of P in the described TV programme of N at least.

26. data structure according to claim 21, wherein said first group of a plurality of content item are many group musical workss, each group in wherein said many group musical workss is made up of N musical works at least, and wherein N is the integer greater than 2, and described data structure also comprises:

The second licence field is used to specify the quantity of P musical works, and wherein P is the integer less than N;

The wherein said second licence field is suitable for allowing described client to use being no more than the individual musical works of P in the described musical works of N at least.

27. data structure according to claim 21, wherein said first group of a plurality of content item comprise in a plurality of films and the many group TV programme, wherein said data structure also is used to permit the second group of a plurality of content item that comprises a plurality of previews, and each in wherein said a plurality of preview has the preview content identification field, and described data structure also comprises:

The second licence identification field is used to specify each the identity in described a plurality of preview, and is used to preserve the second group id data corresponding to the identity of described a plurality of previews;

Wherein, the described second licence identification field and described a plurality of preview content identification field are suitable for after described data structure sends to the time point of described client allowing described client to use described a plurality of preview when described client receives described a plurality of preview, and

The wherein said second group id data are suitable for remaining unchanged after described data structure sends to described client.

28. data structure according to claim 27, the at least a portion of each is encrypted in wherein said first and second groups of a plurality of content items, and wherein said first and second groups of a plurality of content items have a plurality of content sub-keys, and described data structure also comprises:

A plurality of licence sub-keys are suitable for using with described a plurality of content sub-keys, are applicable to a plurality of decruption keys of the encryption section of each in the described first and second groups of a plurality of content items of deciphering with generation.

29. a computer-readable medium comprises as the data structure described in the claim 21,22,25 and 26 any one.

30. data structure that is used to send to client and is used to permit a plurality of content items that use for described client, in wherein said a plurality of content item each has the content identification field that has corresponding to the data of content identification value, and wherein all described content identification values are equal to each other, and described data structure comprises:

The licence identification field is used to specify each the identity in described a plurality of content item, and is used to preserve the data corresponding to the identity of described a plurality of content items;

Wherein, described licence identification field and described a plurality of content identification field are suitable for after described data structure sends to the time point of described client allowing described client to use described a plurality of content item when described client receives described a plurality of content item; And

Described data in the wherein said licence identification field are suitable for remaining unchanged after described data structure sends to described client.

31. data structure according to claim 30, each in wherein said a plurality of content items comprises video preview.

32. data structure according to claim 30, each in wherein said a plurality of content items comprises audio preview.

33. data structure according to claim 30, at least a portion of each is encrypted in wherein said a plurality of content items, and wherein said a plurality of content item has a plurality of content sub-keys, and described data structure also comprises:

At least one licence sub-key, at least one that is suitable in described a plurality of content sub-keys used, and is applicable at least one decruption key of the encryption section of each in the described a plurality of content items of deciphering with generation.

34. a computer-readable medium comprises as the data structure described in the claim 30,31 and 32 any one.

35. one kind is used to control the system of client to the use of first content item and second content item, described system comprises:

A kind of equipment with processing unit that can software routine; With

By the programmed logic that described processing unit is carried out, wherein said programmed logic comprises:

Be used to handle the device of licence with the identification data that is used for institute's licensed content; With

Be used for before described client receives described first and second content items, described licence being sent to the device of described client;

The described identification data that wherein is used for institute's licensed content is suitable for remaining unchanged after described licence sends to described client;

Wherein said first content item has the first content identification data, at least a portion of wherein said first content item is an encrypted form, and if the described identification data of described first content identification data licensed content corresponding to being used for then be suitable for by the deciphering of described client; And

Wherein said second content item has the second content identification data that is different from described first content identification data, at least a portion of wherein said second content item is an encrypted form, and if the described identification data of described second content identification data licensed content corresponding to being used for then be suitable for by the deciphering of described client.

36. system according to claim 35, wherein said first content item comprises in first film and the first group of TV programme, and wherein said second content item comprises one montage in second film and the second group of TV programme.

37. system according to claim 35, wherein said first content item comprises in film and the one group of TV programme, and wherein said second content item comprises described one montage in described film and the described one group of TV programme.

38. system according to claim 35, wherein said licence also has first sub-key, and described first content item also has second sub-key, and described second content item also has the 3rd sub-key,

Wherein said client is suitable for using described first and second sub-keys to generate first decruption key and uses the described first and the 3rd sub-key to generate second decruption key, and

Wherein said first decruption key is used to decipher the encryption section of described first content item, and described second decruption key is used to decipher the encryption section of described second content item.

39. one kind is used to control the system of client to the use of first content item, described system comprises:

A kind of equipment with processing unit that can software routine; With

By the programmed logic that described processing unit is carried out, wherein said programmed logic comprises:

Be used to handle and have identification data that is used for institute's licensed content and device with licence of play count data; With

Be used for before described client receives described first content item, described licence being sent to the device of described client;

The described identification data and the described play count data that wherein are used for institute's licensed content are suitable for remaining unchanged after described licence sends to described client;

Wherein said first content item has the first content identification data, wherein said first content item is made up of N discrete usable items of subcontent, wherein N is the integer greater than 2, and at least a portion of each is an encrypted form in the individual discrete usable items of subcontent of wherein said N; And

Wherein, if if the described identification data of described first content identification data licensed content corresponding to being used for and P are corresponding to described play count data, wherein P is the integer less than N, being no more than P and being suitable for of at least a portion of each in then described N the discrete usable items of subcontent is by described client deciphering.

40. according to the described system of claim 39, wherein said N discrete usable items of subcontent comprises N TV programme.

41. according to the described system of claim 39, wherein said N discrete usable items of subcontent comprises N musical works.

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