A computer-implemented method includes receiving, from a remote communication device and at a server system, information that indicates a unique identifier for a physical item that corresponds to media content, the identifier differing from identifiers for other physical items that correspond to the same content; associating the received information with an account of a first user of a hosted internet service; and subsequently providing, by the hosted internet service, content that matches the content that corresponds to the physical item, based on a determination that the received information authorizes the first user to obtain the content provided by the hosted internet service.

An information processing device including: a data processing unit that generates an encryption key of content; and a communication unit that transmits an encryption key generated by the data processing unit, wherein the data processing unit generates, as the encryption key, individual keys that are different for each new content recording processing on a recording medium in a content recording device, and transmits the individual keys through the communication unit.

A portable apparatus includes a first connector, a memory, and first circuitry. The first connector automatically receives a plurality of content data from a computer. The memory stores the plurality of content data. The first circuitry performs a mutual authentication process with the computer via the first connector, and plays back the plurality of content data. The computer includes second circuitry and a second connector. The first circuitry stores the plurality of content data to a storage medium, and provides a graphical user interface to receive an input identifying a list of the plurality of content data stored in said storage medium that are to be automatically transferred to the portable apparatus. The second connector is configured to transfer the plurality of content data stored in the storage medium to the portable apparatus.

A user selection of one or more of a plurality of content is received. The selected content is encrypted by a first encryption key that is remote and unknown to the distribution server. Payment information associated with the user selection is also received and verified. The selected content from is retrieved from a remote database. The first encryption key corresponding to the selected content to decrypt the encrypted content corresponding to the user selection is obtained. Decryption is performed by a hardware-based engine of the distribution server that is isolated from a host processor of the distribution server. The content corresponding to the user selection is encrypted according to a second encryption key that is known to the distribution server.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing computer program instructions that cause a computer to implement a method of exchanging content. The method includes connecting to an information processing apparatus, and transferring a ID of the computer to the information processing apparatus when a connection to the information processing apparatus is detected. The method further includes storing content and data related to the content transmitted from the information processing apparatus, transferring the data corresponding to the content stored in the computer, and reproducing the stored content. The content is automatically transferred to the computer when the computer is judged to be a predetermined device.

This disclosure describes novel methods for generating unique copies of content. One method combines the functions of the master copy and unique copy watermarks. In particular, the method generates a unique copy by varying the manner in which the master copy watermark is embedded in unique copies of a content item. In one embodiment, the master copy watermark is repeated within the content item and its location is varied in a unique pattern that comprises the unique copy watermark. The unique copy is generated by producing a copy in which master copy watermarks are embedded in a unique pattern. For instance in one embodiment, the locations of the master copy watermarks in the content item are represented as a vector of delta values in which each delta value corresponds to the distance between a corresponding instance of the master copy watermark, and a neighboring instance of the master copy watermark. This vector is stored in a transaction record in association with transaction information, such as information identifying the master copy and information associated with the unique copy. Other ways of representing the unique pattern of attributes of the master copy watermark are also possible. In other embodiments, properties of the master copy watermark other than its location are varied through the content. The unique copy watermark is conveyed in the vector of deltas in these properties of the master copy watermark. Some examples of these properties of the master copy watermark signal include phase characteristics (e.g., the phase shift of a watermark carrier signal), frequency magnitude characteristics, etc. These properties are varied in a manner that does not alter the information carried in the master copy watermark. However, it does provide a variation that creates a unique copy, and the unique copy watermark is conveyed in this variation. The variation in location of the instances of the master copy watermark can be in different domains, such as a spatial domain, a time domain, a time-space domain, a transform domain (including frequency transform domains), a compressed domain, etc.

A user selection of one or more of a plurality of content is received. The selected content is encrypted by a first encryption key that is remote and unknown to the distribution server. Payment information associated with the user selection is also received and verified. The selected content from is retrieved from a remote database. The first encryption key corresponding to the selected content to decrypt the encrypted content corresponding to the user selection is obtained. Decryption is performed by a hardware-based engine of the distribution server that is isolated from a host processor of the distribution server. The content corresponding to the user selection is encrypted according to a second encryption key that is known to the distribution server.

An information processing device includes: a data processing unit that executes a process of reproducing content recorded in a medium; and a memory storing a content revocation list in which an identifier (ID) of revoked content is recorded, wherein the data processing unit compares a minimum allowable version of a content revocation list recorded in a token which is management data corresponding to content recorded in the medium with a version of a content revocation list acquired from the memory, and when the version of the content revocation list acquired from the memory is an old version lower than the minimum allowable version of the content revocation list recorded in the token, the data processing unit halts determination on revocation of content based on the content revocation list acquired from the memory and reproduction of content.

A user selection of one or more of a plurality of content is received. The selected content is encrypted by a first encryption key that is remote and unknown to the distribution server. Payment information associated with the user selection is also received and verified. The selected content from is retrieved from a remote database. The first encryption key corresponding to the selected content to decrypt the encrypted content corresponding to the user selection is obtained. Decryption is performed by a hardware-based engine of the distribution server that is isolated from a host processor of the distribution server. The content corresponding to the user selection is encrypted according to a second encryption key that is known to the distribution server.

A computer-implemented method includes receiving, from a remote communication device and at a server system, information that indicates a unique identifier for a physical item that corresponds to media content, the identifier differing from identifiers for other physical items that correspond to the same content; associating the received information with an account of a first user of a hosted internet service; and subsequently providing, by the hosted internet service, content that matches the content that corresponds to the physical item, based on a determination that the received information authorizes the first user to obtain the content provided by the hosted internet service.