Method for protecting digital content from unauthorized use by automatically and dynamically integrating a content-protection agent

Abstract

A content processor application is loaded into memory from a master image to form a runtime content processor application image. An integration agent dynamically integrates a protection agent into the loaded runtime content processor application image to form a customized content processor application with extended functionality. Only the runtime content processor application image is extended with the protection agent—the application master image remains unaltered.

1 . A method for extending a content processor application, comprising:
 loading a content processor application into memory from a master image to form a runtime content processor application image;   suspending execution of the runtime content processor application image;   dynamically integrating a protection agent into the runtime content processor application image to form a customized content processor application with extended functionality by (i) identifying file input/output related operating system calls of the runtime content processor application image that can be made by the application, and (ii) overwriting the identified file input/output related operating system calls of the runtime content processor application image to point to corresponding functions which extend functionality, only the runtime content processor application image being altered and extended with the protection agent, the master image being unaltered; and   resuming execution of the customized runtime content processor application image.