A computer implemented online music distribution system provides for the secure delivery of audio data and related media, including text and images, over a public communications network. The online music distribution system provides security through multiple layers of encryption, and the cryptographic binding of purchased audio data to each specific purchaser. The online music distribution system also provides for previewing of audio data prior to purchase. In one embodiment, the online music distribution system is a client-server system including a content manager, a delivery server, and an HTTP server, communicating with a client system including a Web browser and a media player. The content manager provides for management of media and audio content, and processing of purchase requests. The delivery server provides delivery of the purchased media data. The Web browser and HTTP server provide a communications interface over the public network between the content manager and media players. The media player provides for encryption of user personal information, and for decryption and playback of purchased media data. Security of purchased media data is enhanced in part by the use of a personal, digital passport in each media player. The digital passport contains identifying information that identifies the purchaser, along with confidential information, such as credit card number, and encryption data, such as the media player's public and private keys. The media player encryption data is used to encrypt purchased media data, which is decrypted in real time by the media player. The media player also displays confidential information, such as the purchaser's credit card number, during playback.

Secure online music distribution system

A system for controlling use and distribution of digital works, in which the owner
of a digital work (101) attaches usage rights (102) to that work. Usage rights are granted by the
"owner" of a digital work to "buyers" of the digital work. The usage rights define how a
digital work may be used and further distributed by the buyer. Each right has associated with it
certain optional specifications which outline the conditions and fees upon which the right may
be exercised. Digital works are stored in a repository. A repository will process each request
(103,104) to access a digital work by examining the corresponding usage rights (105). Digital
work playback devices, coupled to the repository containing the work, are used to play, display
or print the work. Access to digital works for the purposes of transporting between
repositories (e.g. copying, borrowing or transfer) is carried out using a digital work transport
protocol. Access to digital works for the purposes of replay by a digital work playback
device(e.g. printing, displaying or executing) is carried out using a digital work playback
protocol. Access is denied (106) or granted (107) depending whether the requesting repository
has the required usage rights.

System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works

A system for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital tickets. In the present invention, a “digital ticket” is used to entitle the ticket holder to exercise some usage right with respect to a digital work. Usage rights are used to define how a digital work may be used or distributed. Each usage right may specify a digital ticket which must be present before the right may be exercised. Digital works are stored in repositories which enforce a digital works usage rights. Each repository has a “generic ticket agent” which punches tickets. In some instances only the generic ticket agent is necessary. In other instances, punching by a “special ticket agent” residing on another repository may be needed.

System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital tickets

A method for associating related electronic messages in computer storage. A first transportable application is created and stored. User input requesting creation of a link from the first transportable application to another transportable application is received. User input that selects a second transportable application from among a plurality of previously created transportable applications is received. A link from the first transportable application to the second transportable application is created and stored. As a result, transportable application may be inter-related in complex message webs. The message webs may also be inter-related in message web rings. Links may be generated manually or automatically, based on context, workflow processes, or other known relationships among applications. Recipient lists and data may propagate among fields of linked transportable applications, directly or according to abstract business rules. Further, multiple-part electronic messages are disclosed. A graphical user interface of an electronic messaging system displays a message in the form of one or more header portions and one or more body portions. Each of the body portions has a selection region. While one body portion is visible at a given time, all the selection regions are continuously visible in the user interface to facilitate selection of any of the body portions at a particular time. Selecting a selection region of a non-displayed body portion causes a server to generate a refreshed user interface that includes the entirety of the selected body portion, and that hides the previously viewed body portion. As a result, a large amount of associated information may be combined in a single message in a way that is clearly organized and easily accessible.

Methods and apparatus providing electronic messages that are linked and aggregated

A method, system, program, and method of doing business are disclosed for electronic commerce that includes the feature of a “thin” consumer's wallet by providing issuers with an active role in each payment. This is achieved by adding an issuer gateway and moving the credit/debit card authorization function from the merchant to the issuer. This enables an issuer to independently choose alternate authentication mechanisms without changing the acquirer gateway. It also results in a significant reduction in complexity, thereby improving the ease of implementation and overall performance.

Four-party credit/debit payment protocol

An electronic commerce system facilitates secure electronic commerce transactions among multiple participants. Each electronic commerce transaction involves at least one commerce document defining the transaction and at least one commerce instrument defining a payment for the transaction. The electronic commerce system has a credential binding server at a trusted credential authority, multiple computing units at associated participants, and a communication system interconnecting the credential binding server and the multiple computing units. The electronic commerce system operates in two phases: a registration phase and a transaction phase. During the registration phase, each of the computing units generate and send a registration packet over the communication system to the credential binding server. Unique credentials are produced by the credential binding server based upon the registration packets sent back to the computing units. During the transaction phase, an originating computing unit initially requests, receives, and verifies the credentials of expected recipient computing units to ensure communication between authenticate participants. Thereafter, the originating computing unit signs and encrypts the commerce document(s) and the commerce instrument(s) in a manner which ensures that only the intended recipients can decrypt them. The originating computing unit then sends both the commerce document(s) and instrument(s) over the communication system to a first recipient computing unit. The first recipient computing unit decrypts and verifies the commerce document(s) and/or instruments intended for it. The first recipient computing unit then passes the balance of the encrypted commerce document(s) and/or instrument(s) over the communication system to a second recipient computing unit, which decrypts and verifies the commerce document(s) and/or instrument(s) intended for it. This process is continued until all commerce documents and commerce instruments are distributed, decrypted, and verified by their intended recipients.

Matthew W. Thomlinson

Papers

System and method for secure electronic commerce transactions