Unencrypted Content Rights Enforcement via User Nameplate

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transfer of unencrypted audio and video content poses challenges for content owners as it may be used by unauthorized users, compromising their business model that relies on charging each unique user for access, while distributing content without encryption eliminates obstacles for legitimate users but increases the risk of unauthorized use.

Innovation Solution

A nameplate is generated for unencrypted content, including an identifier of the content and an authorized user, which is sent to the user's device for rights enforcement, ensuring that the authorized user's identity is presented during playback and providing an option for unauthorized users to purchase the content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If content is distributed in unencrypted form, then accessibility for legitimate users is improved, but risk of unauthorized use increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility for legitimate usersVSAvoidprotection against unauthorized use

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the content distribution process by separating the content itself from the rights management information. The content is distributed in unencrypted form for easy access, while the nameplate (containing content ID and authorized user ID) is distributed separately to enforce rights. This segmentation allows legitimate users to access content easily while unauthorized users can be identified and prevented from using the content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nameplate acts as an intermediary element between the content and the user. It contains identifying information that enables the system to verify whether a user is authorized to use the content. The nameplate mediates the interaction by providing a mechanism to enforce rights without requiring encryption of the content itself, thus maintaining accessibility while preventing unauthorized use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If content is encrypted, then protection against unauthorized use is improved, but accessibility for legitimate users worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against unauthorized useVSAvoidaccessibility for legitimate users

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of encrypting the content to protect it (the conventional approach), the system inverts the approach by distributing unencrypted content and using the nameplate mechanism to identify and prevent unauthorized use. This inversion allows legitimate users to access content without encryption obstacles while still providing protection through user identification and rights enforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If unencrypted content is distributed, then ease of content transfer is improved, but loss of revenue to content owners worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent transfer efficiencyVSAvoidrevenue loss for content owners

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by monitoring content usage through the nameplate mechanism. When unencrypted content is used, the system can identify the user through the nameplate and determine whether they are authorized. This feedback loop allows content owners to track usage and prevent revenue loss by identifying unauthorized users, while maintaining efficient content transfer for authorized users through unencrypted distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8656506B2Rights enforcement of unencrypted content

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

In accordance with one or more aspects of the rights enforcement of unencrypted content, a nameplate associated with unencrypted content is generated. The nameplate includes an identifier of the unencrypted content and an identifier of an authorized user of the unencrypted content. The nameplate is sent to a device of the authorized user for rights enforcement of the unencrypted content on the device. In accordance with one or more other aspects of the rights enforcement of unencrypted content, a nameplate for unencrypted content to be played back on a device is obtained. The nameplate includes an identifier of the unencrypted content and an identifier of an authorized user of the unencrypted content. The device presents, during playback of the unencrypted content on the device, the identifier of the authorized user of the unencrypted content.