Detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content

Abstract

Methods are provided of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content during its retransmission over communications network from audiovisual content platform to user device displaying the audiovisual content. User device has previously obtained permission to display the audiovisual content based on credential data uniquely identifying a user account of the audiovisual content platform. These methods comprise: adding a hyperlink container to the retransmission such that it is displayed with the audiovisual content at user device, the hyperlink container including a link to a trusted site uniquely identifying the user account and its activation or operation triggering opening of the link at the trusted site; determining a number of openings of the link at the trusted site; and detecting the unauthorized viewing of the audiovisual content depending on the determined number of openings of the link. Systems, computer systems and computer programs that are suitable for performing such methods are also provided.

Description

[0001] DETECTING UNAUTHORIZED VIEWING OF AUDIOVISUAL CONTENT

[0002] This application claims the benefit of European Patent Application EP24382171.7 filed 19 February 2024.

[0003] The present disclosure relates to methods of detecting unauthorized viewing or illegal retransmission of audiovisual content, and to systems and computer programs suitable for performing said methods.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Audiovisual content platforms have been fighting against piracy (or unauthorized viewing or retransmission of audiovisual content) since their inception. It is widely known the effort that these companies devote to fight against the illegal broadcasting of audiovisual content.

[0006] This audiovisual content can be of many different types such as, e.g., sport events (broadcast live: soccer games, basketball games, etc.), series and movies, documentaries, etc.

[0007] Piracy in audiovisual media is a problem with a very important impact on the entire audiovisual sector. It has an economic impact on the audiovisual content platforms themselves, which see their revenues diminished due to the existence of viewers who do not pay to watch the contents. Advertising companies involved in the sector also have a negative impact, as they cannot count on information about this type of users who remain in the shadows, unidentified.

[0008] This economic impact has consequences on sports clubs and soccer players in the case of sports, as well as actors and actresses in the film industry. Lower revenue from audiovisual platforms results in lower revenues for the main participants in audiovisual content. Negative impact also arises on the brand image of audiovisual platforms, which see their audiovisual content sometimes associated with disreputable websites.

[0009] Piracy also has a negative impact on the security of viewers of illegal content, who consume this service from websites with a multitude of advertising banners and links to other insecure websites from which they can be infected by computer viruses.

[0010] Different types of illegitimate activities can be identified with regard to the illegal sharing of audiovisual content. The most important and probably the one involving more illegal consumers is the piracy consisting of a user retransmitting audiovisual content illegally on a website.

[0011] Despite the efforts made for more than 20 years, the problem of piracy has not been solved. An object of the present disclosure is to provide new methods, systems and computer programs aimed at solving such a problem.

[0012] SUMMARY

[0013] In an aspect, methods are provided of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content during its retransmission over a communications network from an audiovisual content platform to a user device displaying the audiovisual content as it is retransmitted, the user device having previously obtained permission to display the audiovisual content based on credential data uniquely identifying a user account of the audiovisual content platform. These methods (also denominated link-opening-based detecting methods herein) comprise adding a hyperlink container to the retransmission in such a manner that it is displayed onto or along with the audiovisual content at the user device (or any other device at which the audiovisual content is being displayed with or without authorization). The hyperlink container includes a link to a trusted site uniquely identifying the user account, and its activation or operation (of the hyperlink container) triggers opening of the link at the trusted site. Such link-opening-based detecting methods further comprise determining a number of openings of the link at the trusted site and detecting the unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) of the audiovisual content depending on said determined number of openings of the link.

[0014] Such detecting methods according to link-opening approach may be very valuable to accurately detect unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) of audiovisual content through a given user account of the audiovisual content platform, since an abnormal number of openings of the link at the trusted / secured site related to said user account may be clearly indicative of illegal use thereof. For example, if said user account is permitted to display audiovisual content at a limited number of devices simultaneously such as, e.g., 2 or 3 devices, dozens or hundreds of openings of the link related to this user account may clearly indicate that illegal viewers have opened the link.

[0015] In alternative detecting methods according to another aspect, activation or operation of the hyperlink container is based on triggering a biometric validation to detect the unauthorised viewing(s) or illegal retransmission, instead of on the link openings at the trusted site according to link-opening approach. Such alternative detecting methods (according to biometric approach) are also aimed at detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content during its retransmission over a communications network from an audiovisual content platform to a user device displaying the audiovisual content as it is retransmitted, the user device having previously obtained permission to display the audiovisual content based on credential data uniquely identifying a user account of the audiovisual content platform. Such alternative detecting methods according to biometric approach comprise adding a hyperlink container to the retransmission in such a manner that it is displayed onto or along with the audiovisual content at the user device. The hyperlink container includes a (pre-obtained) user biometric vector associated to the user account and its activation or operation (of the hyperlink container) triggers performance of a biometric matching process. Such a biometric matching process includes obtaining a viewer biometric vector from viewer’s biometric feature captured through viewer’s device and determining a biometric matching score by comparing the user biometric vector and the viewer biometric vector with each other. These alternative detecting methods according to biometric approach further comprise detecting the unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) of the audiovisual content depending on the determined biometric matching score.

[0016] Activation or operation of the hyperlink container may, e.g., provoke opening of a link to a trusted site and said opening may trigger performance of the biometric matching process under control or monitored at / by a biometric module in cooperation with (or by / at) the trusted site in secured manner. Said link whose opening triggers the biometric matching process may be included in the hyperlink container.

[0017] In such biometric-based detecting methods, viewer’s device may be any device configured to capture biometric features and presumably associated to person who is viewing the retransmitted audiovisual content. User biometric vector and viewer biometric vector and their obtaining, as well as the biometric matching process, may be based on any biometric techniques and principles already known in the prior art. Hence, no deep details thereon are provided herein. Capturing of the viewer’s biometric feature may thus include, e.g., capturing of viewer’s face or fingerprint or ocular region or voice audio, etc. For example, the unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) of the audiovisual content may be detected depending on whether the determined biometric matching score is above or below predefined score threshold. If it is above, the determined biometric matching score may be assumed as acceptable and, therefore, unauthorized viewing or illegal retransmission is not detected. Otherwise (it is below or not above), determined biometric matching score may be assumed as inacceptable and, therefore, unauthorized viewing or illegal retransmission is detected. In implementations according to link-opening approach, the hyperlink container and / or its operation or activation and / or what is triggered when it is operated or activated may be implemented in many different manners. In some examples, the hyperlink container may include a barcode encoding the link to the trusted site, it may be activated or operated by scanning of the barcode using a further device, and its activation or operation may trigger decoding of the link and its opening at the trusted site. This further device is qualified as “further” because it may be a device other than the user device or than any other device on which the audiovisual content is displayed. The barcode may be a bidimensional code such as, e.g., QR code. In other examples where the retransmission of the audiovisual content is displayed on a touch screen, the hyperlink container may include a touchable icon or graphical representation of the link to the trusted site, it may be activated or operated by touching of the icon or graphical representation of the link, and its activation or operation (of the hyperlink container) may trigger opening of the link at the trusted site. In further examples where the retransmission of the audiovisual content is displayed on a non-touch screen, the hyperlink container may include an icon or graphical representation of the link to the trusted site activable or operable in non-touching manner, and its activation or operation (of the hyperlink container) may trigger opening of the link at the trusted site.

[0018] In non-touch-based implementations according to link-opening approach, the hyperlink container may be activable or operable by clicking on the icon or graphical representation of the link, or by looking at the icon or graphical representation of the link, or any other non-touch-based manner known in the state of the art. The clicking may be performable using a mouse or any other peripheral or integrated device suitable for doing so. The looking at the icon or graphical representation of the link may be implementable using an eye tracking device or any other peripheral or integrated device suitable for doing so. The concept of hyperlink container is very well-known in the technical field at hand, as well as the many manners in which it may be implemented, so no deep details thereon are provided in present disclosure.

[0019] One or more of the above features regarding barcode-based and touch-based and non- touch-based implementations according to link-opening approach may be included in alternative detecting methods according to biometric approach. Principles and / or benefits described regarding such features in relation to link-opening approach may be similarly attributable to alternative detecting methods according to biometric approach. Such equivalences and / or correspondences between features and / or principles and / or benefits between link-opening-based implementations and biometric-based implementations must be considered taking into account that the latter are based on detecting unauthorised viewing depending on biometry related features instead of the link-opening related features of the former.

[0020] In some examples according to link-opening approach, the link included in the hyperlink container may be a link uniquely identifying a combination of the user account and an event that is being retransmitted as the audiovisual content, which may provide an even more accurate control of user accounts, at user account and event level.

[0021] In implementations according to link-opening approach, the detecting of the unauthorized viewing may include detecting the unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) of the audiovisual content depending on the determined number of openings of the link within a predefined period of time which, in some examples, may include a generic time window and / or one or more specific time windows. The audiovisual content platform may have different time-related types of user accounts, each of said types having its specific time window applicable to all user accounts in the time-related type as the predefined period of time. The generic time window may be applicable by default. For example, in the case of user accounts belonging to one of the time-related types, the specific time window of said type may be applied to said user accounts and, in the case of user accounts not belonging to any of the time-related types, the generic time window may be applied to said other user accounts by default. All or part of these time-related features may make detecting methods according to link-opening approach especially flexible regarding different time-related profiles of user accounts, with different time requirements concerning how long openings of the link are (or have to be) monitored.

[0022] In exemplary detecting methods according to link-opening approach, the detecting of the unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) may include verifying whether the determined number of openings of the link is above a predefined opening threshold, in which case the unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) is detected and, otherwise, the unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) is not detected. The predefined opening threshold may include a generic opening threshold and / or one or more specific opening thresholds. The audiovisual content platform may have different opening-related types of user accounts, each of said types having its specific opening threshold applicable to all user accounts in the opening-related type as the predefined opening threshold. The generic opening threshold may be applicable by default. For example, in the case of user accounts belonging to one of the opening-related types, the specific opening threshold of said type may be applied to said user accounts and, in the case of user accounts not belonging to any of the opening-related types, the generic opening threshold may be applied to said other user accounts by default. All or part of these opening-related features may make detecting methods according to present disclosure even more flexible regarding different opening-related profiles of user accounts, with different requirements on the number of openings of the link that may indicate illegal display or retransmission of audiovisual content.

[0023] In certain implementations according to link-opening approach, the hyperlink container may be added to the retransmission in overlapping mode, in such a manner that the hyperlink container is displayed at the user device (or any other device at which the audiovisual content is being displayed with or without authorization) at least partially overlapping the display of the audiovisual content. This overlapping mode may be used to induce viewers of the audiovisual content to activate or operate the hyperlink container to make it disappear from the overlapping position. Additionally or alternatively, the hyperlink container may be added to the retransmission along with a message or stimulus prompting or motivating viewers of the audiovisual content to activate or operate the hyperlink container. Any technique that may influence viewers to operate or activate the hyperlink container may be used to provoke as many as possible openings of the link if audiovisual content is being display illegally. One or more of these features may be also included in alternative detecting methods according to biometric approach taking into account, however, differences between biometric approach and link-opening approach explained in some other part(s) of the disclosure.

[0024] In exemplar implementations according to link-opening approach, the hyperlink container may be added to the retransmission to be displayed at different time intervals during the display of the audiovisual content. These different time intervals may be predefined time intervals or random time intervals or a combination of both types of time intervals. This repetition of the inclusion of the hyperlink container into the retransmission may provide even more accuracy to detecting methods according to link-opening approach, since said reiteration may maximize the number of openings of the link in case of illegal display or retransmission of audiovisual content. One or more of these features may be also included in alternative detecting methods according to biometric approach taking into account, however, differences between biometric approach and link-opening approach explained in some other part(s) of the disclosure.

[0025] In implementations of example according to link-opening approach, if unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) is detected, the retransmission of the audiovisual content may be interrupted to the user account that has been detected performing the unauthorized viewing or illegally retransmitting the audiovisual content and, in some implementations, said offender user account may be closed or cancelled. One or more of these features may be also included in alternative detecting methods according to biometric approach taking into account, however, differences between biometric approach and link-opening approach explained in some other part(s) of the disclosure.

[0026] Detecting methods according to link-opening approach may further comprise storing and / or outputting the determined number of openings of the link as number of illegitimate viewers of the audiovisual content.

[0027] In certain examples according to link-opening approach, the activation or operation of the hyperlink container may further trigger provision to, e.g., the trusted site of location data representing location at / from where the hyperlink container has been activated or operated. Said location data location data may represent, e.g., location of a browser used to activate or operate the hyperlink container, or an IP from which the hyperlink container has been activated or operated, or a GPS location provided by a GPS app in operating device at / through which the hyperlink container has been activated or operated, etc. Location data representing the location or locations at / from where the hyperlink container has been activated or operated may be stored and / or outputted. One or more of these features may be also included in alternative detecting methods according to biometric approach taking into account, however, differences between biometric approach and linkopening approach explained in some other part(s) of the disclosure.

[0028] Aforementioned storing and / or outputting of illegitimate viewers of audiovisual content and / or location or locations at / from where the hyperlink container has been activated or operated may be very valuable to monitor the audiovisual content platform and, in particular, illegal use of user accounts in said platform. Said stored and / or outputted data may be analysed to, e.g., detect behaviour patterns by user accounts used to illegally retransmit audiovisual contents, determine locations or regions from / at which most contents are illegally viewed, etc. This analysis may lead to optimal conclusions to ensure good performance of the platform from both technical and cost perspectives, cancellation of user accounts illegally operated, strong monitoring of regions at / from which most illegal viewings are performed, etc.

[0029] In particular implementations according to link-opening approach, the hyperlink container may further include a user biometric vector associated to the user account, and its activation or operation (of the hyperlink container) may further trigger performance of a biometric matching process whose result may also participate in the detecting of the unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission). Said biometric matching process may include obtaining a viewer biometric vector from a viewer’s biometric feature captured through viewer’s device and comparing the user biometric vector and the viewer biometric vector to each other. Then, a biometric matching score may be determined depending on said comparison and said biometric matching score may be also used (additionally to the number of openings of the link) to detect whether unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) has been committed. Viewer’s device may be any device configured to capture biometric features and presumably associated to person who is viewing the retransmitted audiovisual content. User biometric vector and viewer biometric vector and their obtaining, as well as the biometric matching process, may be based on any biometric techniques and principles already known in the prior art. Hence, no deep details thereon are provided herein. Capturing of the viewer’s biometric feature may thus include, e.g., capturing of viewer’s face or fingerprint or ocular region or voice audio, etc.

[0030] In a further aspect according to link-opening approach, systems are provided for detecting unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) of audiovisual content during its retransmission over a communications network from an audiovisual content platform to a user device displaying the audiovisual content as it is retransmitted, the user device having previously obtained permission to display the audiovisual content based on credential data uniquely identifying a user account of the audiovisual content platform. These systems (also denominated link-opening-based detecting systems herein) comprise an adding module, a determining module and a detecting module. The adding module is configured to add a hyperlink container to the retransmission in such a manner that it is displayed onto or along with the audiovisual content at the user device, the hyperlink container including a link to a trusted site uniquely identifying the user account and its activation or operation (of the hyperlink container) triggering opening of the link at the trusted site. The determining module is configured to determine a number of openings of the link at the trusted site. The detecting module is configured to detect the unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) of the audiovisual content depending on the determined number of openings of the link. Such detecting systems according to link-opening approach are suitable or configured to perform detecting methods according to linkopening approach, so same or similar functional principles and advantages as the ones described with reference to link-opening-based detecting methods may be attributed to such link-opening-based detecting systems.

[0031] In a still further aspect according to link-opening approach, computer programs are provided comprising program instructions for causing a system or computer system or controller to perform detecting methods of detecting unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) of audiovisual content according to link-opening approach, such as those described in other parts of the disclosure. These computer programs (also denominated link-opening-based detecting computer programs herein) may be embodied on a storage medium and / or carried on a carrier signal. Such detecting computer programs according to link-opening approach are suitable or configured to perform detecting methods according to link-opening approach, so same or similar functional fundamentals and advantages as the ones described with reference to link-opening-based detecting methods may be attributed to such link-opening-based detecting computer programs.

[0032] In a yet further aspect according to link-opening approach, computing systems are provided for detecting unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) of audiovisual content, said computing systems comprising a memory and a processor, embodying instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor, and the instructions comprising functionality or functionalities to execute methods of detecting unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) of audiovisual content according to link-opening approach, such as those described in other parts of the disclosure. Such computing systems (also denominated link-opening-based detecting computing systems herein) according to link-opening approach are suitable or configured to perform detecting methods according to link-opening approach, so same or similar functional principles and advantages as the ones described with reference to link-opening-based detecting methods may be attributed to such link-opening-based detecting computing systems.

[0033] In other respective aspects, systems, computer programs and computing systems suitable for performing alternative detecting methods according to biometric approach are also provided, similarly as the provision of systems, computer programs and computing systems suitable for performing detecting methods according to link-opening approach.

[0034] In some implementations, audiovisual content platforms may also be provided including any of the disclosed detecting systems or detecting computing systems or detecting computer programs according to link-opening approach or to biometric approach.

[0035] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Non-limiting examples of the disclosure will be described in the following, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0037] Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating detecting systems for detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content during its retransmission, according to link- opening-based examples. Figure 2 is a flow chart schematically illustrating detecting methods of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content during its retransmission, according to link- opening-based examples.

[0038] Figures 3a - 3c schematically illustrate various technical scenarios aimed at facilitating good understanding of detecting methods, systems and computer programs according to link-opening-based examples.

[0039] Figure 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating detecting systems for detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content during its retransmission, according to biometric-based examples.

[0040] Figure 5 is a flow chart schematically illustrating detecting methods of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content during its retransmission, according to biometric-based examples.

[0041] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

[0042] Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating detecting systems 108 for detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content 104 during its retransmission 101a, 101 b, according to link-opening-based examples. This retransmission 101a, 101b may be performed over a communications network (e.g., Internet) 102 from an audiovisual content platform 100 to a user device 103 displaying the audiovisual content 104 as it is retransmitted. The user device 103 may have previously obtained permission to display the audiovisual content 104 based on credential data (e.g., username and password) uniquely identifying a user account of the audiovisual content platform 100. As shown in the figure, detecting systems 108 may include an adding module 109, a determining module 110 and a detecting module 111.

[0043] The adding module 109 may be configured to add a hyperlink container 105 to the retransmission 101a, 101b in such a manner that it is displayed onto or along with the audiovisual content 104 (at the user device 103 or any other device at which the audiovisual content 104 is being displayed with or without authorization). The hyperlink container 105 may include a link to a trusted site 106 uniquely identifying the user account, and whose activation or operation may trigger opening of the link at the trusted site 106. The adding of the hyperlink container 105 to the retransmission 101a, 101b may be performed by the adding module 109 properly interacting with retransmission module 107 in the audiovisual content platform 100. Once triggered, the opening of the link may be caused and / or performed based on suitable data transmission 112a, 112b through communications network 102 between the user device 103 and the trusted site 106.

[0044] The determining module 110 may be configured to determine a number of openings of the link at the trusted site 106, and the detecting module 111 may be configured to detect the unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) of the audiovisual content 104 depending on the determined number of openings of the link.

[0045] In the particular examples illustrated, the detecting system 108 is shown within the audiovisual content platform 100 but it may be external thereto with proper data connection(s) between them to perform detecting methods according to link-opening approach. The trusted site 106 is also shown within the audiovisual content platform 100 but, similarly as the detecting system 108, the trusted site 106 may also be external thereto with proper data connection(s) between them to perform detecting methods according to link-opening approach.

[0046] The hyperlink container 105 may be according to a barcode approach, i.e. , it may include a barcode encoding the link to the trusted site 106 in such a manner that activation and / or operation of the hyperlink container 105 may be performed by scanning the barcode. Said scanning may be performed through a further device other than the user device 103 or than any other device at which the audiovisual content 104 is being displayed with or without authorization. Such an activation or operation of the hyperlink container 105 may trigger decoding of the link and its subsequent opening at the trusted site 106. The barcode may be a bidimensional code and, in particular implementations, a Quick Response (QR) code. Other known types of scannable codes may be similarly used in addition or alternatively to the ones cited herein.

[0047] Alternatively to the barcode approach, the retransmission 101a, 101b of the audiovisual content 104 may be displayed on a touch screen (in the user device 103 or any other device at which the audiovisual content 104 is being displayed with or without authorization) and the hyperlink container 105 may include a touchable icon or graphical representation of the link (to the trusted site 106). In these examples according to touching approach, the hyperlink container 105 may be activated or operated by (a user) touching the icon or graphical representation of the link and said activation or operation may trigger opening of the link at the trusted site 106.

[0048] Alternatively to barcode approach and touching approach, the retransmission 101a, 101 b of the audiovisual content 104 may be displayed on a non-touch screen (in the user device 103 or any other device at which the audiovisual content 104 is being displayed with or without authorization), and the hyperlink container 105 may include an icon or graphical representation of the link (to the trusted site 106) activable or operable in non-touching manner. In these examples according to non-touching approach, the hyperlink container 105 may be activated or operated in said non-touching manner by, e.g., clicking on or looking at the icon or graphical representation of the link. Activation or operation of the hyperlink container 105 may then trigger opening of the link at the trusted site 106. Clicking on the icon or graphical representation of the link may be performed using a mouse or any other peripheral or integrated device suitable for doing so. Looking at the icon or graphical representation of the link to activate / operate the hyperlink container 105 may be implementable using an eye tracking device or any other peripheral or integrated device suitable for doing so.

[0049] The link included in the hyperlink container 105 may be a link uniquely identifying a combination of the user account and an event that is being retransmitted as the audiovisual content 104. A more accurate control of unauthorized displaying or illegal retransmission of the event may thus be performed per user account, or with a granularity at user account and event level.

[0050] The unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) of the audiovisual content 104 may be detected depending on the determined number of openings of the link (at the trusted site 106) limited to a predefined period of time. A more accurate control of unauthorized displaying viewing of the audiovisual content 104 may thus be performed further considering such a time dimension. This predefined period of time may be selected from either a generic time window applicable by default or a specific time window applicable depending on a time-related profile of the user account under control. The audiovisual content platform 100 may have different time-related profiles of user accounts and each of said profiles may have its specific time window applicable (as the predefined period of time) to all user accounts belonging to the profile. In case of user accounts not belonging to any of the time-related profiles, the generic time window may be applied to them by default as the predefined period of time.

[0051] Unauthorized viewing or viewings of audiovisual content may be detected depending on the determined number of openings of the link (at the trusted site 106) based on a predefined opening threshold. It may be verified whether the determined number of openings of the link is above predefined opening threshold and, in said case, the unauthorized viewing or viewings may be confirmed as detected. Otherwise (below predefined opening threshold), the unauthorized viewing or viewings may be confirmed as not detected.

[0052] The predefined opening threshold may be selected from either a generic opening threshold applicable by default or a specific opening threshold applicable depending on an opening-related profile of the user account under control. The audiovisual content platform 100 may have different opening-related profiles of user accounts, and each of said opening-related profiles may have its specific opening threshold applicable (as the predefined opening threshold) to all user accounts in the opening-related profile. For example, one type of user may be an individual user who employs a user account for viewing the content of the audiovisual content platform from home. Another type of user may employ an account associated with a bar, restaurant, pub or hotel for the retransmission of the audiovisual platform content. It is expected that the number of viewers viewing the content from the account associated with a bar, restaurant, pub or hotel is higher than the number of viewers viewing the audiovisual content from the individual account. For that reason, the opening threshold for the account associated with a bar, restaurant, pub or hotel may be higher (e.g., 100) than the opening threshold used for the individual user account (e.g., 5).

[0053] The hyperlink container 105 may be added to the retransmission 101a, 101 b in overlapping mode, in such a manner that the hyperlink container 105 is displayed at the user device 103 (or any other device at which the audiovisual content 104 is being displayed with or without authorization) at least partially overlapping the display of the audiovisual content 104. An advantage of this overlapping mode may be that viewers of the audiovisual content 104 may be induced to activate or operate the hyperlink container 105 to make it disappear from its (potentially disturbing or annoying) overlapping position. In addition or alternatively to the overlapping mode, the hyperlink container 105 may be added to the retransmission 101a, 101b along with a message or stimulus whose display may prompt or motivate viewers of the audiovisual content 104 to activate or operate the hyperlink container 105. This message or stimulus may refer to an invitation to a contest or bet or raffle, or to a vote to choose best player, or to participate in a chat to comment the event online, etc.

[0054] The hyperlink container 105 may be added to the retransmission 101a, 101 b to be displayed at different time intervals during the display of the audiovisual content 104. A more accurate detection of unauthorized viewing or viewings may be achieved by repeating over time the display of the hyperlink container 105 and, hence, repeatedly inducing its activation by viewers. These different time intervals may be predefined time intervals or random time intervals or a combination thereof. When unauthorized viewing or viewings is / are detected, the retransmission 101a, 101b of the audiovisual content 104 may be interrupted to the user account that has been detected performing unauthorized viewing(s) or illegally retransmitting the audiovisual content. If abnormal quantity of openings of the link is detected for a given user account with permission to display audiovisual content at limited number of devices simultaneously, this may indicate piracy or illegal use or viewing of the audiovisual content. Additionally or alternatively to said interruption, the user account that has been detected performing unauthorized viewing(s) or illegally retransmitting the audiovisual content may be closed or cancelled.

[0055] The determined number of openings of the link may be outputted and / or stored as number of illegitimate viewers of the audiovisual content 104. Activation or operation of the hyperlink container 105 may further trigger provision (e.g., to the trusted site 106) of location data representing a location at / from where the hyperlink container 105 has been activated or operated. Such location data may represent, e.g., location of a browser that has been used to open the link in the hyperlink container 105, or an IP from which the link has been opened, ora GPS location provided by a GPS app in operating device at / through which the hyperlink container 105 has been activated or operated, or any combination thereof. This location data may also be stored and / or outputted for, e.g., analysis purposes by competent staff or operators of the audiovisual content platform 100.

[0056] The above storage and / or outputting of illegitimate viewers of the audiovisual content 104 along with, in some examples, location data representing location or locations at / from where the hyperlink container 105 has been activated or operated may be very valuable to monitor the audiovisual content platform 100 and, in particular, unauthorized displays / views of audiovisual content 104. User accounts with, e.g., display permission limited to 2 or 3 devices simultaneously for which dozens or hundreds of openings of the link have been determined, may be strong candidates to be accused of piracy or illegal use of the user account. Location data related to said presumably irregular user accounts may also be very useful to, e.g., detect most problematic locations or regions regarding illegal display of audiovisual content 104.

[0057] The hyperlink container 105 may further include, in some examples, a user biometric vector associated to the user account, and activation or operation of the hyperlink container 105 may further trigger performance of a biometric matching process. This biometric process may include obtaining viewer biometric vector from viewer’s biometric feature captured through viewer’s device and comparing the user biometric vector and the viewer biometric vector to determine a biometric matching score. Once determined, said biometric matching score may be used to detect the unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) depending on both the determined number of openings of the link and the determined biometric matching score.

[0058] As used herein, the term “module” may be understood to refer to software, firmware, hardware and / or various combinations thereof. It is noted that the modules are exemplary. The modules may be combined, integrated, separated, and / or duplicated to support various applications. Also, a function described herein as being performed by a particular module may be performed by one or more other modules and / or by one or more other devices instead of or in addition to the function performed by the described particular module.

[0059] The modules may be implemented across multiple devices, associated or linked to corresponding detecting systems proposed herein, and / or to other components that may be local or remote to one another. Additionally, the modules may be moved from one device and added to another device, and / or may be included in both devices, associated to corresponding detecting systems proposed herein. Any software implementations may be tangibly embodied in one or more storage media, such as, e.g., a memory device, a floppy disk, a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), or other devices that may store computer code.

[0060] Detecting systems according to link-opening approach or biometric approach may be implemented by computing means, electronic means or a combination thereof. The computing means may be a set of instructions (e.g., a computer program) and then detecting systems may comprise a memory and a processor, embodying said set of instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor. These instructions may comprise functionality or functionalities to execute corresponding link-opening-based or biometric-based detecting methods such as, e.g., the ones described in other parts of the disclosure.

[0061] In link-opening-based or biometric-based detecting systems implemented only by electronic means, a controller of the system may be, for example, a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0062] In link-opening-based or biometric-based detecting systems that are a combination of electronic and computing means, the computing means may be a set of instructions (e.g., a computer program) and the electronic means may be any electronic circuit capable of implementing corresponding steps of link-opening-based or biometric-based detecting methods proposed herein, such as those described in other parts of the disclosure.

[0063] The computer program(s) may be embodied in / on a storage medium (for example, a CD- ROM, a DVD, a USB drive, a computer memory or a read-only memory) or carried on a carrier signal (for example, on an electrical or optical carrier signal).

[0064] The computer program(s) may be in the form of source code, object code, a code intermediate source and object code such as in partially compiled form, or in any other form suitable for use in implementing link-opening-based or biometric-based detecting methods according to present disclosure. The carrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying the computer program(s).

[0065] For example, the carrier may comprise a storage medium, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a semiconductor ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a hard disk. Further, the carrier may be a transmissible carrier such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via electrical or optical cable or by radio or other means.

[0066] When the computer program(s) is / are embodied in a signal that may be conveyed directly by a cable or other device or means, the carrier may be constituted by such cable or other device or means. Alternatively, the carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program(s) is / are embedded, the integrated circuit being adapted for performing, or for use in the performance of, link-opening-based or biometric-based detecting methods proposed herein.

[0067] Figure 2 is a flow chart schematically illustrating detecting methods of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content 104 during its retransmission, according to link-opening-based examples. Since link-opening-based detecting methods according to Figure 2 are performable by / at link-opening-based detecting systems according to Figure 1 , number references from Figure 1 may be reused in following description of Figure 2.

[0068] Link-opening-based detecting methods are described with reference to Figure 2 assuming a technical scenario similar to the one of previous Figure 1. That is, the audiovisual content is being retransmitted 101a, 101b over a communications network 102 from an audiovisual content platform 100 to a user device 103 displaying the audiovisual content 104 as it is retransmitted. It is also assumed that the user device 103 has previously obtained permission to display the audiovisual content 104 based on, e.g., credential data uniquely identifying a user account of the audiovisual content platform 100.

[0069] As shown in Figure 2, link-opening-based detecting methods may be initiated (e.g., at block 200) upon detection of a starting condition such as, e.g., a user request to start the detecting method.

[0070] Link-opening-based detecting methods may further include (e.g., at method-block 201) adding hyperlink container 105 to the retransmission 101a, 101 b in such a manner that it is displayed onto or along with the audiovisual content 104 at the user device 103. The hyperlink container 105 may include a link to a trusted site 106 uniquely identifying the user account, and activation or operation of the hyperlink container 105 may trigger opening of the link at the trusted site 106. This adding functionality implemented or implementable at method-block 201 may be performed by, e.g., adding module 109 previously described in detail with reference to Figure 1. Functional details and considerations explained about said module 109 may thus be similarly attributed or attributable to method-block 201.

[0071] Link-opening-based detecting methods may still further include (e.g., at method-block 202) determining a number of openings of the link at the trusted site 106. This determining functionality implemented or implementable at method-block 202 may be performed by, e.g., determining module 110 previously described with reference to Figure 1. Functional details and considerations explained about said module 110 may thus be similarly attributed or attributable to method-block 202.

[0072] Link-opening-based detecting methods may yet further include (e.g., at method-block 203) detecting the unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) of the audiovisual content depending on the determined number of openings of the link at the trusted site 106. This detecting functionality implemented or implementable at method-block 203 may be performed by, e.g., detecting module 111 previously described with reference to Figure 1. Functional details and considerations explained about said module 111 may thus be similarly attributed or attributable to method-block 203.

[0073] Link-opening-based detecting methods may additionally include (e.g., at decision block 204) verifying whether an ending condition occurs or is satisfied. In case of positive or true result (Y) of said verification, detecting method may proceed to method-block 205 to terminate execution of the method. Otherwise (N), detecting method may loop back to previous method-block 201 to perform new iteration to, e.g., to detect another unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) as described before regarding combination of or cooperation between adding function 201 , determining function 202 and detecting function 203.

[0074] Figures 3a - 3c schematically illustrate various technical scenarios aimed at facilitating good understanding of link-opening-based detecting methods, systems and computer programs according to present disclosure.

[0075] Figure 3a illustrates a scenario in which audiovisual content platform 300 retransmits audiovisual content to which is authorised to display it, but a user 302 of said device 301 illegally retransmits the audiovisual content to an illegal or pirate platform 303. Then, the audiovisual content may be illegally retransmitted from the illegal platform 303 to unauthorised devices 304 - 306 through which illegitimate viewers 307 can view the audiovisual content. This is perhaps one of the most common ways to pirate or illegally broadcast audiovisual content.

[0076] Figure 3b illustrates a scenario in which audiovisual content platform 300 retransmits audiovisual content to user device 310 which is authorised to display it, and a user of the user device 310 scans (overlapping) barcode 311 encoding pertinent link (in hyperlink container). As shown, said scan is performed using another device 308 and triggers opening of the link at trusted site 309. This drawing represents an authorised display or viewing of audiovisual content at device 301 taking into account that no abnormal number of openings of the link at trusted site 309 is determined.

[0077] Figure 3c illustrates a scenario in which illegal platform 303 retransmits audiovisual content to multiple user devices 312, 313 which are not authorised to display it. It is further illustrated that user of device 312 scans barcode 316 encoding pertinent link using another device 314 and that user of device 313 scans barcode 317 encoding same link using another device 315. Each of said scans triggers opening of the link at trusted site 309, said link being the same link uniquely identifying the same user account from which the illegal retransmissions (by the illegal platform 303) have been originated. This figure represents detection of unauthorised viewing(s) of audiovisual content taking into account that an abnormal number of openings of the (same) link at trusted site 309 is determined. It is noted that only two unauthorised devices 312, 313 are shown for reasons of simplicity, but they may be dozens or hundreds or thousands of unauthorised devices. The abnormal number of openings of the (same) link may thus very abnormal in cases of piracy or illegal broadcast of audiovisual content performed in same or similar manner as illustrated in Figure 3a. In other words, if the same link uniquely identifying the same user account that is permitted to display audiovisual content on a limited number (e.g., 2 or 3) of authorised devices simultaneously is opened dozens or hundreds or thousands of times, this means that the audiovisual content is being displayed on devices other than the devices authorised to the user account. Said rather large quantity of openings of the link is an abnormal number of openings since it is clearly above the limited number of simultaneous devices authorised to the user account to which the link univocally points or corresponds.

[0078] Figure 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating detecting systems 408 for detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content 404 during its retransmission 401a, 401 b, according to biometric-based examples. This retransmission 401a, 401b may be performed over a communications network (e.g., Internet) 402 from an audiovisual content platform 400 to a user device 403 displaying the audiovisual content 404 as it is retransmitted. The user device 403 may have previously obtained permission to display the audiovisual content 404 based on credential data (e.g., username and password) uniquely identifying a user account of the audiovisual content platform 400. As shown in the figure, detecting systems 408 may include an adding module 409, a biometric module 410 and a detecting module 411.

[0079] The adding module 409 may be configured to add a hyperlink container 405 to the retransmission 401a, 401b in such a manner that it is displayed onto or along with the audiovisual content 404 (at the user device 403 or any other device at which the audiovisual content 404 is being displayed with or without authorization). The hyperlink container 405 may include a (pre-obtained, stored) user biometric vector associated to the user account and its activation or operation may trigger performance of a biometric matching process (or biometric validation). The adding of the hyperlink container 405 to the retransmission 401a, 401b may be performed by the adding module 409 properly interacting with retransmission module 407 in the audiovisual content platform 400. The triggering of the biometric matching process may be caused and / or performed based on suitable data transmission 412a, 412b through communications network 402 between the user device 403 and trusted site 406.

[0080] Activation or operation of the hyperlink container 405 may, e.g., provoke opening of a link to trusted site 406 and said opening may trigger performance of the biometric matching process under control or monitored at / by the biometric module 410 in cooperation with (or by / at) the trusted site 406 in secured manner. Said link whose opening triggers the biometric matching process may be included in the hyperlink container.

[0081] The biometric module 410 may thus be configured to perform the triggered biometric matching process properly interacting with the trusted site 406, and the detecting module 411 may be configured to detect the unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) of the audiovisual content 404 depending on a biometric matching score outputted by the biometric matching process.

[0082] The biometric matching process may include obtaining a viewer biometric vector from viewer’s biometric feature captured through viewer’s device 413 and determining a biometric matching score by comparing the user biometric vector and the viewer biometric vector with each other. Once determined, the biometric matching score may be provided to the detecting module 411 to detect the unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) depending on said score.

[0083] In the particular examples illustrated, the biometric-based detecting system 408 is shown within the audiovisual content platform 400 but it may be external thereto with proper data connection(s) between them to perform biometric-based detecting methods according to present disclosure. The trusted site 406 is also shown within the audiovisual content platform 400 but, similarly as the biometric-based detecting system 408, the trusted site 406 may also be external thereto with proper data connection(s) between them to perform biometric-based detecting methods according to present disclosure.

[0084] The hyperlink container 405 may be according to barcode approach, i.e. , it may include a barcode in such a manner that activation and / or operation of the hyperlink container 405 may be performed by scanning the barcode. Said scanning may be performed through a further device 413 other than the user device 403 or any other device at which the audiovisual content 404 is being displayed with or without authorization. Such an activation or operation of the hyperlink container 405 may trigger the performing of the biometric matching process. The barcode may be a bidimensional code and, in particular implementations, a Quick Response (QR) code. Other known types of scannable codes may be similarly used in addition or alternatively to the ones cited herein.

[0085] Alternatively to the barcode approach, the retransmission 401a, 401b of the audiovisual content 404 may be displayed on a touch screen (in the user device 403 or any other device at which the audiovisual content 404 is being displayed with or without authorization) and the hyperlink container 405 may include a touchable icon or graphical representation of the biometric validation. In these examples according to touching approach, the hyperlink container 405 may be activated or operated by (a user) touching the icon or graphical representation of the biometric validation and said activation or operation may trigger the performing of the biometric matching process (or biometric validation).

[0086] Alternatively to barcode approach and touching approach, the retransmission 401a, 401 b of the audiovisual content 404 may be displayed on a non-touch screen (in the user device 403 or any other device at which the audiovisual content 404 is being displayed with or without authorization), and the hyperlink container 405 may include an icon or graphical representation of the biometric validation activable / operable in non-touching manner. In these examples according to non-touching approach, the hyperlink container 405 may be activated or operated in said non-touching manner by, e.g., clicking on or looking at the icon or graphical representation of the biometric validation. Activation or operation of the hyperlink container 405 may then trigger the performing of the biometric matching process (or biometric validation). Clicking on the icon or graphical representation of the biometric validation may be performed using a mouse or any other peripheral or integrated device suitable for doing so. Looking at the icon or graphical representation of the biometric validation to activate / operate the hyperlink container 405 may be implementable using an eye tracking device or any other peripheral or integrated device suitable for doing so.

[0087] The hyperlink container 405 may be added to the retransmission 401a, 401 b in overlapping mode, in such a manner that the hyperlink container 405 is displayed at the user device 403 (or any other device at which the audiovisual content 404 is being displayed with or without authorization) at least partially overlapping the display of the audiovisual content 404. An advantage of this overlapping mode may be that viewers of the audiovisual content 404 may be induced to activate or operate the hyperlink container 405 to make it disappear from its (potentially disturbing or annoying) overlapping position. In addition or alternatively to the overlapping mode, the hyperlink container 405 may be added to the retransmission 401a, 401b along with a message or stimulus whose display may prompt or motivate viewers of the audiovisual content 404 to activate or operate the hyperlink container 405. This message or stimulus may refer to an invitation to a contest or bet or raffle, or to a vote to choose best player, or to participate in a chat to comment the event online, etc.

[0088] The hyperlink container 405 may be added to the retransmission 401a, 401b to be displayed at different times or time intervals during the display of the audiovisual content 404. A more accurate detection of unauthorized viewing(s) or illegal retransmission may be achieved by repeating over time the display of the hyperlink container 405 and, hence, repeatedly inducing its activation by viewers. These different times or time intervals may be predefined times or time intervals or random times or time intervals or a combination thereof. When unauthorized viewing or viewings is / are detected, the retransmission 401a, 401b of the audiovisual content 404 may be interrupted to the user account that has been detected performing unauthorized viewing(s) or illegally retransmitting the audiovisual content. Additionally or alternatively to said interruption, the user account that has been detected performing unauthorized viewing(s) or illegally retransmitting the audiovisual content may be closed or cancelled.

[0089] Activation or operation of the hyperlink container 405 may further trigger provision (e.g., to the trusted site 406) of location data representing a location at / from where the hyperlink container 405 has been activated or operated. Such location data may represent, e.g., location of a browser that has been used to operate or activate the hyperlink container 405, or an IP from which the hyperlink container 405 has been operated or activated, or a GPS location provided by a GPS app in operating device at / through which the hyperlink container 405 has been activated or operated, or any combination thereof. This location data may be stored and / or outputted for, e.g., analysis purposes by competent staff or operators of the audiovisual content platform 400.

[0090] The above storage and / or outputting of location data representing location or locations at / from where the hyperlink container 405 has been activated or operated may be very valuable to monitor the audiovisual content platform 400 and, in particular, unauthorized displays / views of audiovisual content 404. User accounts with, e.g., display permission limited to 2 or 3 devices simultaneously for which dozens or hundreds of openings of the link have been determined, may be strong candidates to be accused of piracy or illegal use of the user account. Location data related to said presumably irregular user accounts may also be very useful to, e.g., detect most problematic locations or regions regarding illegal display of audiovisual content 404.

[0091] Figure 5 is a flow chart schematically illustrating detecting methods of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content 404 during its retransmission, according to biometric-based examples. Since biometric-based detecting methods according to Figure 5 are performable by / at biometric-based detecting systems according to Figure 4, number references from Figure 4 may be reused in following description of Figure 5.

[0092] Detecting methods according to biometric approach are described with reference to Figure 5 assuming a technical scenario similar to the one of previous Figure 4. That is, the audiovisual content is being retransmitted 401a, 401b over a communications network 402 from an audiovisual content platform 400 to a user device 403 displaying the audiovisual content 404 as it is retransmitted. It is also assumed that the user device 403 has previously obtained permission to display the audiovisual content 404 based on, e.g., credential data uniquely identifying a user account of the audiovisual content platform 400.

[0093] As shown in Figure 5, detecting methods according to biometric approach may be initiated (e.g., at block 500) upon detection of a starting condition such as, e.g., a user request to start the biometric-based detecting method.

[0094] Detecting methods according to biometric approach may further include (e.g., at methodblock 501) adding hyperlink container 405 to the retransmission 401a, 401b in such a manner that it is displayed onto or along with the audiovisual content 404 at the user device 403. The hyperlink container 405 may include a (pre-obtained, stored) user biometric vector associated to the user account and its activation or operation (of the hyperlink container 405) may trigger performance of a biometric matching process (or biometric validation). This adding functionality implemented or implementable at methodblock 501 may be performed by, e.g., adding module 409 previously described in detail with reference to Figure 4. Functional details and considerations explained about said module 409 may thus be similarly attributed or attributable to method-block 501 .

[0095] Detecting methods according to biometric approach may still further include (e.g., at method-block 502) performing the biometric matching process properly interacting with the trusted site 406, said performing of the biometric validation outputting a biometric matching score as explained with reference to biometric module 410. This biometric functionality implemented or implementable at method-block 502 may be performed by, e.g., biometric module 410 previously described with reference to Figure 4. Functional details and considerations explained about said module 410 may thus be similarly attributed or attributable to method-block 502.

[0096] Detecting methods according to biometric approach may yet further include (e.g., at method-block 503) detecting the unauthorized viewing (or illegal retransmission) of the audiovisual content depending on the biometric matching score. This detecting functionality implemented or implementable at method-block 503 may be performed by, e.g., detecting module 411 previously described with reference to Figure 4. Functional details and considerations explained about said module 411 may thus be similarly attributed or attributable to method-block 503.

[0097] Detecting methods according to biometric approach may additionally include (e.g., at decision block 504) verifying whether an ending condition occurs or is satisfied. In case of positive or true result (Y) of said verification, biometric-based detecting method may proceed to method-block 505 to terminate execution of the method. Otherwise (N), biometric-based detecting method may loop back to previous method-block 501 to perform new iteration to, e.g., to detect further unauthorized viewings or illegal retransmissions as described before regarding combination of or cooperation between adding function 501 , biometric function 502 and detecting function 503.

[0098] Although only a number of examples have been disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and / or equivalents thereof are possible. Furthermore, all possible combinations of the described examples are also covered. Thus, the scope of the disclosure should not be limited by particular examples, but it should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content during its retransmission over a communications network from an audiovisual content platform to a user device displaying the audiovisual content as it is retransmitted, wherein the user device has previously obtained permission to display the audiovisual content based on credential data uniquely identifying a user account of the audiovisual content platform, the method comprising: adding a hyperlink container to the retransmission in such a manner that it is displayed onto or along with the audiovisual content at the user device, wherein the hyperlink container includes a link to a trusted site uniquely identifying the user account, and wherein activation or operation of the hyperlink container triggers opening of the link at the trusted site; determining a number of openings of the link at the trusted site; and detecting the unauthorized viewing of the audiovisual content depending on the determined number of openings of the link.

2. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to claim 1 , wherein the link included in the hyperlink container is a link uniquely identifying a combination of the user account and an event that is being retransmitted as the audiovisual content.

3. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the detecting of the unauthorized viewing includes detecting the unauthorized viewing of the audiovisual content depending on the determined number of openings of the link within a predefined period of time.

4. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to claim 3, wherein the predefined period of time includes a generic time window applicable by default.

5. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to any of claims 3 or 4, wherein the audiovisual content platform has different time-related types of user accounts, each of said time-related types having its specific time window which is applicable as the predefined period of time to all user accounts in the time-related type.

6. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the detecting of the unauthorized viewing includesverifying whether the determined number of openings of the link is above a predefined opening threshold, in which case the unauthorized viewing is detected and, otherwise, the unauthorized viewing is not detected.

7. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to claim 6, wherein the predefined opening threshold includes a generic opening threshold applicable by default.

8. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to any of claims 6 or 7, wherein the audiovisual content platform has different opening-related types of user accounts, each of said opening-related types having its specific opening threshold which is applicable as the predefined opening threshold to all user accounts in the opening-related type.

9. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the hyperlink container is added to the retransmission in overlapping mode, in such a manner that the hyperlink container is displayed at the user device at least partially overlapping the display of the audiovisual content.

10. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to claim 9, wherein the hyperlink container is added to the retransmission in overlapping mode to induce viewers of the audiovisual content to activate or operate the hyperlink container to make it disappear from its overlapping position.11 . Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the hyperlink container is added to the retransmission along with a message or stimulus prompting or motivating viewers of the audiovisual content to activate or operate the hyperlink container.

12. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to any of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the hyperlink container is added to the retransmission to be displayed at different time intervals during the display of the audiovisual content.

13. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to claim 12, wherein the different time intervals at which the hyperlink container is to be displayed during the display of the audiovisual content are predefined time intervals.

14. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to claim12, wherein the different time intervals at which the hyperlink container is to be displayed during the display of the audiovisual content are random time intervals.

15. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to any of claims 1 to 14, further comprising, in case of unauthorized viewing detection, interrupting the retransmission of the audiovisual content to the user account that has been detected performing the unauthorized viewing or illegally retransmitting the audiovisual content.

16. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to claim 15, wherein the interrupting of the retransmission of the audiovisual content further comprises closing or cancelling the user account that has been detected performing the unauthorized viewing or illegally retransmitting the audiovisual content.

17. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to any of claims 1 to 16, further comprising storing and / or outputting the determined number of openings of the link as number of illegitimate viewers of the audiovisual content.

18. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the activation or operation of the hyperlink container further triggers provision of location data representing a location where the hyperlink container has been activated or operated.

19. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to claim 18, wherein the location data represents location of a browser used to open the link included in the hyperlink container, or an IP from which the link has been opened, or a GPS location provided by a GPS app in an operating device at / through which the hyperlink container has been activated or operated.

20. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to any of claims 18 or 19, further comprising storing and / or outputting the location data representing the location or locations where the hyperlink container has been activated or operated.

21. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to any of claims 1 to 20, wherein the hyperlink container further includes a user biometric vector associated to the user account, and the activation or operation of the hyperlink container further triggers performance of a biometric matching process including obtaining a viewer biometric vector from a viewer’s biometric feature captured through viewer’s device, anddetermining a biometric matching score by comparing the user biometric vector and the viewer biometric vector with each other; and wherein the detecting of the unauthorized viewing is performed further depending on the determined biometric matching score.

22. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to any of claims 1 to 21 , wherein the hyperlink container includes a barcode encoding the link to the trusted site, and wherein the hyperlink container is activated or operated by scanning of the barcode through a further device and said activation or operation triggers decoding of the link and its opening at the trusted site.

23. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to claim22, wherein the barcode is a bidimensional code.

24. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to claim23, wherein the bidimensional code is a QR code.

25. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to any of claims 1 to 21 , wherein the retransmission of the audiovisual content is displayed on a touch screen, wherein the hyperlink container includes a touchable icon or graphical representation of the link to the trusted site, and wherein the hyperlink container is activated or operated by touching of the icon or graphical representation of the link and said activation or operation triggers opening of the link at the trusted site.

26. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to any of claims 1 to 21 , wherein the retransmission of the audiovisual content is displayed on a non-touch screen, wherein the hyperlink container includes an icon or graphical representation of the link to the trusted site activable or operable in non-touching manner, and wherein the activation or operation of the hyperlink container in said non-touching manner triggers opening of the link at the trusted site.

27. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to claim 26, wherein the hyperlink container is activable or operable by clicking on the icon or graphical representation of the link, said clicking being performable using a mouse or anyother peripheral or integrated device suitable for doing so.

28. Method of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content according to claim 26, wherein the hyperlink container is activable or operable by looking at the icon or graphical representation of the link, said looking being detectable using an eye tracking device or any other peripheral or integrated device suitable for doing so.

29. Computer program comprising program instructions for causing a computing system to perform a method according to any of claims 1 to 28 of detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content during its retransmission.

30. System for detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content during its retransmission over a communications network from an audiovisual content platform to a user device displaying the audiovisual content as it is retransmitted, wherein the user device has previously obtained permission to display the audiovisual content based on credential data uniquely identifying a user account of the audiovisual content platform, the system comprising: an adding module configured to add a hyperlink container to the retransmission in such a manner that it is displayed onto or along with the audiovisual content at the user device, wherein the hyperlink container includes a link to a trusted site uniquely identifying the user account, and wherein activation or operation of the hyperlink container triggers opening of the link at the trusted site; a determining module configured to determine a number of openings of the link at the trusted site; and a detecting module configured to detect the unauthorized viewing of the audiovisual content depending on the determined number of openings of the link.31 . An audiovisual content platform including a system according to claim 30 for detecting unauthorized viewing of audiovisual content during its retransmission.

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