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Abstract

A method of managing digital objects in a network is presented. The objects are stored at locations accessible in the network using a storage technique which renders the digital objects secure against unauthorized access. Pointer information which associates each digital object identifier with a pointer indicating the location of the stored digital object is also stored in the network. For each digital object validation information is stored, separately from the digital object, and is sufficient to permit a determination whether a purported instance of a digital object is identical to the original. Other aspects include storing validation information which is substantially smaller in size than the corresponding digital object; storing validation information separately from the digital object; providing multiple servers each of which accepts identifiers of a subset of the digital objects and returns corresponding pointers to the locations of the digital objects in the network; registering rights in digital objects by submitting an application including the validation information and the unique identifier of a digital object; enabling holders of rights in digital objects to control terms and conditions under which they are accessed by users in a network; enabling holders of rights in digital objects to control terms and conditions under which rights in the digital objects may be granted to others; maintaining a record of information concerning digital objects stored on a network; providing a repository service; tracking events in the system; cataloging digital objects, and handling payment for access to digital objects and for obtaining rights using a network-based payment mechanism or compensation.

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