System for dynamically encrypting content for secure internet commerce and providing embedded fulfillment software

Abstract

A data distribution system is provided which supplies customers with an executable for requested secured data files to provide the customer with fulfillment software, obviating the need for the customer to download fulfillment software prior to requesting secure data. The data distribution system is characterized by server technology which can dynamically encrypt secured data files just prior to a customer request to download the data file. A framework for building a universal data distribution infrastructure is provided which employs Requesters.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A data distribution system comprising:
 a server configured to access content stored in a data repository and provide to a user in response to a request by the user, wherein at least some of the content are encrypted using keys;   a database configured to store the keys; and   a user fulfillment software module configured to generate a product code for the requested content using an identifier for the requested content and a machine-dependent identifier corresponding to the user computer;   wherein the server is configured to process a user request for content comprising the product code by generating a release code using the key corresponding to the requested content and the product code and transmitting the release code to the user computer.