DRM Rights Object Enforcement via Signing Entity Identity Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DRM systems face challenges in managing digital rights object (RO) transactions, particularly in agent-to-agent (A2A) moves, where authorization complexities and inconsistencies hinder secure and efficient transfer of ROs across devices, and lack support for partial rights movements and revocation of rights issuers (RIs) in distributed environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for enforcing digital rights management (DRM) rules by determining the identity of the signing entity for ROs with digital signatures, allowing primary devices to request and receive new ROs from RIs, and enabling secure A2A transactions with revocation checks and registration management to prevent unauthorized use and abuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a special-purpose protocol is implemented for A2A move RO transactions with authorization requirements, then security is improved, but device complexity and protocol complexity increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authorization mechanism where the system verifies the signing entity's authorization status through a centralized authorization server. This intermediary approach allows security checks to be performed without embedding complex authorization logic in every device, thus maintaining security while reducing individual device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authorization checks by validating the signing entity's status before allowing RO transactions. This preliminary action ensures that authorization verification is done in advance, preventing unauthorized transactions without requiring complex real-time checks during each transaction.
2Reliability
If the system requires authorization for each RO consumption in A2A transactions, then security is improved, but transaction efficiency and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs authorization verification in advance by checking the signing entity's status before the transaction occurs. This preliminary authorization check eliminates the need for repeated authorization requests during each RO consumption, thereby maintaining security while improving transaction efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If the system allows outbound move of RO without local consumption authorization, then ease of operation is improved, but security and control over RO usage deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the signing entity's authorization status and revocation state. This feedback loop ensures that even though outbound moves are allowed for operational flexibility, the system maintains security by detecting and preventing unauthorized usage through status verification.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the protocol handles partial rights movement, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but handling complexity and potential for conflicting states increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the RO into distinct rights components that can be independently managed and transferred. This segmentation allows partial rights movement by enabling the system to transfer specific portions of rights without managing complex partial states, thereby reducing state management complexity while maintaining versatility.
5Productivity
If the system enables direct A2A communication between devices, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but security risks and need for complex authentication increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication and authorization checks before enabling direct A2A communication. This preliminary action establishes security credentials in advance, allowing fast direct communication to proceed without compromising security, thus achieving both productivity and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for enforcing digital rights management (DRM) rules in a first device is disclosed. In the method the first device receives a message that includes a rights object (RO) having a digital signature, directly from a source device. The first device determines an identity of a signing entity from the message including the RO having the digital signature. The signing entity is an entity that digitally signed the RO. The first device processes the message including the RO having the digital signature using the identity of the signing entity and an information state to enforce DRM rules in the first device.