Importance

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Abstract

A method and system for secure distribution of digital media files including text, video, audio and combinations of these is described. A particular embodiment involves the distribution of audio tiles (particularly music) which are presently being widely distributed over the internet without compensating the various rights holders. In some embodiments, audio content (except for an optional preview section) is encrypted in a single executable file, allowing it to be freely distributed. When consumers want to access the encrypted portion of the file, a decryption key is obtained from a remote server, but because the file includes an integral decryption engine, a decrypted copy of the file never appears on the client side. Thus, there is no unprotected copy that the consumer can illegally distribute. The disclosure also describes other advantageous techniques, such as bonding the decryption key to the consumer's computer, so it cannot be used by others.

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First Claim