DigitalContainers new content patent tracks user to user

This is a very interesting/disturbing concept for the protection of content. A patent has just been granted to DigtalContainers that describes a system whereby a protected digital content file 'persistently reports' the identification of and provides information about any new user trying to access said content. In winning this patent, DigitalContainers now holds what amounts to a 'Superdistribution patent' for the Internet and distribution networks!

The central concept of this patent is that access to electronic content can be tracked as the content is passed from user to user, whether they send the content over the Internet, peer-to-peer networks, e-mail or using physical media. The tracking function is accomplished by transmitting notification information back to an Internet address that is pre-determined by the original sender of the content as each successive user attempts to access the electronic content. The notification information can include any of the following: the user's name and email address; payment information demographic data collected from the user interactively; system or network identification information derived from the user's computer. Once the notification information has been successfully received, access to the content is then selectively granted based on previously defined criteria.

You can read the press release over at DigitalContainers and even view the patent itself from a link that is listed there. Here is the abstract: "A method of tracking electronic content includes producing a file of electronic content and executable instructions that collect notification information and attempt to transmit the notification information to an address when triggered by an event. The executable instructions deny access to the electronic content until the notification information is transmitted successfully." Lovely.

If you read the entire detailed description of the patent, it has some pretty far reaching implications or features. It actually describes this technique used in email as well. For the body of the message or attachments.

Source: Music Industry News