System and method for delivering licenses to a playback device

Abstract

Dynamic assignment of rights to content, such as in a closed distribution system. Noting state information generated by an item of current content, and modifying state or rights of new content in response. Preloading or dynamically sending new content to the owner of the current content, with rights being enabled only at a later time, in the playback device, with predetermined conditions. In response to current state information, dynamically sending a license for new content from a server. Conditional or dynamic licenses to new content, including a set of rights associated with a class of possible sets of state information. Assignment of limited rights to a content, with support in a secure player to enforce them; for purposes of rental, bonus content, trials and other business models.

1 . A system, including
 a client device including a secure processor:   memory including a resident rule that specifies a condition associated with game save data for game content;   a license server, coupled to the memory and the client device, configured to:
 receive a request to deliver a license to the client device for the game content; 
 receive the game save data associated with the client device and the game content; 
 generate a license in response to a positive evaluation of the condition using the game save data associated with the client device and the game content; 
   wherein, in operation, the secure processor of the client device determines if the license is satisfied in accordance with static rules.   
   
   
       2 . A system as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the license includes a rule associated with further state of achievement in a game;   in operation, the secure processor determines if the license is satisfied in accordance with the rule and the further state of achievement in the game, and permits further execution of the game if it is determined that the license is satisfied in accordance with the rule and the further state of achievement in the game.   
   
   
       3 . A system as in  claim 1 , wherein, in operation, the license server evaluates the authenticity of the game save data by validating a signature generated in the client device, using a public key associated with the client device. 
   
   
       4 . A method, comprising:
 receiving a request to generate a game content license for a client device;   receiving cryptographically signed data representing a state of achievement in a game associated with the game content license;   validating authenticity of the data using a signature associated with the cryptographically signed data;   using a first rule to evaluate a condition based on the data and the request;   generating, upon positive verification of the first rule, a game content license;   sending the game content license to the client device.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 determining, using static rules at the client device, if the game content license is satisfied;   executing, at the client device, game content associated with the game content license.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 including in the game content license a second rule associated with a further state of achievement of a game associated with the game content license;   determining if the game content license is satisfied in accordance with the second rule and dynamic state of achievement;   permitting further execution of the game if it is determined that the game content license is satisfied in accordance with the second rule and the further state of achievement.   
   
   
       7 . A client device comprising:
 memory including game content and a game save data;   a processor, coupled to said memory, for executing the game content;   wherein, in operation, the client device:
 receives a license that specifies a condition associated with the game save data for the game content; 
 executes the game content if the condition is satisfied. 
   
   
   
       8 . The client device of  claim 7 , wherein the processor includes a secure processor. 
   
   
       9 . The client device of  claim 7 , wherein the memory includes trusted software. 
   
   
       10 . The client device of  claim 7 , wherein the game save data includes data selected from the group consisting of: player state, time, duration of play, number of times content has been executed, progress of play, assets, score, and a combination thereof. 
   
   
       11 . The client device of  claim 7 , wherein the game save data includes cryptographically signed data. 
   
   
       12 . The client device of  claim 7  further comprising a further condition associated with a further game save data, wherein, in operation, the processor permits further execution of the game content if the further condition is satisfied.