Client-Side Digital Rights Compliance via Non-Executable DRC Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
In client-server environments, managing digital rights for content originating from multiple sources becomes complex and costly due to the limitations of proprietary server-side solutions, which struggle to effectively manage rights in open environments.
Innovation Solution
A client-side system that includes a hardware network module, processor, and data-storage device, capable of receiving structured documents with references to non-executable digital rights compliance (DRC) objects from a second domain, allowing the application to send requests for and incorporate DRC objects into the content, while adhering to same-origin security policies to ensure compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proprietary server-side solutions are used to manage digital rights, then digital rights can be strictly enforced, but the system becomes centralized and unable to effectively manage rights in open environments with multiple resource sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional server-side digital rights management approach by implementing client-side DRC objects. Instead of the server controlling and enforcing rights centrally, the client device itself enforces rights locally through embedded DRC objects that contain compliance logic and digital rights information, enabling operation in open environments with multiple resource sources while maintaining enforcement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The client device performs self-service by automatically downloading, parsing, and executing DRC objects locally without requiring centralized server validation. The client independently determines compliance with digital rights terms, manages its own rights enforcement, and adapts to multiple content sources without centralized coordination
2Ease of operation
If digital content is sent to end users prior to compliance confirmation, then user experience is improved, but there is an increased risk that end users may circumvent the digital rights associated with that content
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by embedding DRC objects with compliance logic into the content delivery process beforehand. The client device automatically downloads and executes these DRC objects before content playback, pre-configuring rights enforcement mechanisms so that content can be immediately accessed while protection is already in place
Solution Approach 2:
The DRC object acts as an intermediary between the content and the user's playback application. It mediates the interaction by injecting compliance checks and rights management logic into the content delivery chain, allowing seamless content access while maintaining protection through the intermediary's enforcement mechanisms
3Device complexity
If client-side processing is used to manage digital rights, then costs and complexity are reduced, but limitations inherent in client-side processing may prevent content from one origin from being used at another location
Solution Approach 1:
The DRC object is designed as a universal, platform-independent format that can be executed by any compliant client device regardless of content origin. The standardized DRC structure enables the same object to manage rights across different content sources, devices, and environments, providing multi-functionality that reduces complexity while enhancing adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect there is provided a method and an apparatus for facilitating intellectual property rights compliance that is compliant with a same-origin security policy that prohibits the application from executing application-specific instructions from the first domain that access application-specific instructions from the second domain. The method includes receiving a structured document from a first domain, the structured document having at least one content object, a reference to at least one digital rights compliance (DRC) object located on a second domain and associated with the at least one content object, and application-specific instructions being executable by the application. The at least one DRC object is defined in a non-executable format and contains information indicative of rights associated with the at least one content.