Digital Rights Management Clock Tampering Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in digital rights management is that users can alter system clocks on computing devices to extend temporal rental windows and play windows for digital content, and obtain root user privileges to make unauthorized copies, which existing technologies fail to effectively detect and prevent.
Innovation Solution
A method that tracks the beginning and end points of rental and play windows, logs system clock values, detects alterations, and prevents access to digital content if inconsistencies are found, as well as searches for tools enabling root user privileges and alters write-protected files to maintain content integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the system only tracks one endpoint of rental and play windows, then the system is simpler to implement, but users can alter system clocks to extend the effective length of windows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the window duration tracking into multiple segments by recording both the start time and end time of rental and play windows separately. This segmentation allows the system to calculate the actual duration by subtracting the recorded start time from the recorded end time, making it impossible for users to extend windows by altering system clocks, as both timestamps are independently verified and stored.
2Ease of operation
If the system does not detect system clock alterations, then the system operates more smoothly, but users can extend rental and play windows beyond intended durations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors system clock alterations by comparing the current system time against the recorded start and end times. When a user attempts to alter the system clock to extend window duration, the system detects this discrepancy and provides feedback by rejecting the altered time parameters, thereby maintaining temporal restrictions without disrupting normal operation.
3Device complexity
If the system does not detect root user privileges, then the system is less complex, but users can make unauthorized copies of digital content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting and identifying root user privileges before they can be used to create unauthorized copies. The system checks for the presence of root or administrator privileges at the time of content access requests, and if detected, prevents any content copying operations. This preliminary detection stops harmful actions before they occur, rather than reacting after damage has been done.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the system allows clock alterations without detection, then users have more flexibility in time management, but the rental and play window restrictions become ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by preemptively preventing clock alterations that would extend window durations. The system monitors for attempts to modify system time parameters and actively counteracts these attempts by rejecting the altered times and maintaining the original recorded start and end times. This ensures that even if users try to gain flexibility through clock manipulation, the temporal license restrictions remain enforceable and effective.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for improved digital rights management is provided.