Method and apparatus for hierarchical assignment of rights to documents and documents having such rights

Abstract

A system and method for distribution of digital works in a tree-like structure of devices. A hierarchical right may include a first usage right governing a use for the digital work and a first delegation right governing distribution of the digital work to child nodes of the tree-like structure. A second usage right and/or a second delegation right may be generated based on the hierarchical right, the second usage right governing a use for the digital work and the second delegation right governing distribution of the digital work to child nodes of a first child node of the tree-like structure. The second usage right and/or the second delegation right may be assigned to a version of the digital work, and the second usage right and/or the second delegation right and the version of the digital work may be forwarded to the first child node.

1 . A method for distribution of digital works in a tree-like structure comprising nodes of devices, the method comprising:
 assigning a hierarchical right to a digital work at a root node, the hierarchical right comprising a first usage right governing a use for the digital work and a first delegation right governing distribution of the digital work to child nodes of the tree-like structure;   generating at least one of a second usage right and a second delegation right based on the hierarchical right, the second usage right governing a use for the digital work and the second delegation right governing distribution of the digital work to child nodes of a first child node of the tree-like structure;   assigning the at least one of the second usage right and the second delegation right to a version of the digital work; and   forwarding the at least one of the second usage right and the second delegation right and the version of the digital work to the first child node.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hierarchical right is specified using a grammar. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising electronically parsing the hierarchical right to determine whether forwarding the at least one of the second usage right and the second delegation right and the version of the digital work to the first child node is allowed. 
     
     
         4 . A system for distribution of digital works in a tree-like structure comprising nodes of devices, the system comprising:
 means for assigning a hierarchical right to a digital work at a root node, the hierarchical right comprising a first usage right governing a use for the digital work and a first delegation right governing distribution of the digital work to child nodes of the tree-like structure;   means for generating at least one of a second usage right and a second delegation right based on the hierarchical right, the second usage right governing a use for the digital work and the second delegation right governing distribution of the digital work to child nodes of a first child node of the tree-like structure;   means for assigning the at least one of the second usage right and the second delegation right to a version of the digital work; and   means for forwarding the at least one of the second usage right and the second delegation right and the version of the digital work to the first child node.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the hierarchical right is specified using a grammar. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising means for electronically parsing the hierarchical right to determine whether forwarding the at least one of the second usage right and the second delegation right and the version of the digital work to the first child node is allowed. 
     
     
         7 . A device for distributing digital works in a hierarchical structure, the method comprising:
 means for assigning a hierarchical right to a digital work, the hierarchical right comprising a first usage right governing a use for the digital work and a first delegation right governing distribution of the digital work to receiving devices in the first layer of the hierarchical structure;   means for generating at least one of a second usage right and a second delegation right based on the hierarchical right, the second usage right governing a use for the digital work and the second delegation right governing distribution of the digital work to receiving devices in the second layer of the hierarchical structure;   means for assigning the at least one of the second usage right and the second delegation right to a version of the digital work; and   means for forwarding the at least one of the second usage rights and the second delegation rights and the version of the digital work to a receiving device in the first layer.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the hierarchical right is specified using a grammar. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising means for electronically parsing the hierarchical right to determine whether forwarding the at least one of the second usage right and the second delegation right and the version of the digital work to the receiving device is allowed.