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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method executed by one or more computing devices for distribution of digital works in a tree-like structure comprising nodes of devices, the method comprising:
 assigning, by at least one of the one or more computing devices, 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, by at least one of the one or more computing devices, 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, by at least one of the one or more computing devices, the at least one of the second usage right and the second delegation right to a version of the digital work; and   transmitting, by at least one of the one or more computing devices, 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 . An apparatus for distribution of digital works in a tree-like structure comprising nodes of devices, the apparatus comprising:
 one or more processors; and   one or more memories operatively coupled to at least one of the one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause at least one of the one or more processors to:
 assign 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; 
 generate 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; 
 assign the at least one of the second usage right and the second delegation right to a version of the digital work; and 
 transmit 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. 
   
     
     
         3 . At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause at least one of the one or more computing devices to:
 assign 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;   generate 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;   assign the at least one of the second usage right and the second delegation right to a version of the digital work; and   transmit 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.