Apple Inc (AAPL)

[2bStealthy]

United States Patent Application 20030126445

Kind Code

A1

Wehrenberg, Paul J.
July 3, 2003

Method and apparatus for copy protection

Abstract


Copy protection techniques that utilize a watermark and a permission key are disclosed. The copy protection techniques can provide single-copy copy protection in addition to different levels of copy protection. The permission key and the watermark can also permit the invention to yield variable levels of copy protection. In one embodiment, content including a watermark is transmitted to a recipient. The recipient is allowed to read the content but not record the content unless the recipient possesses a permission key.





Inventors:
Wehrenberg, Paul J.; (Palo Alto, CA)

Correspondence Name and Address:


BEYER WEAVER & THOMAS LLP
P.O. BOX 778
BERKELEY
CA
94704-0778
US



Assignee Name and Adress:

Apple Computer, Inc.



Serial No.:

327359

Series Code:

10

Filed:

December 20, 2002






U.S. Current Class:
713/176; 380/203

U.S. Class at Publication:
713/176; 380/203

Intern'l Class:
H04L 009/00; H04N 007/167