(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0126086 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jul. 3, 2003
`Safadi
`
`US 20030126086A1
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`(73)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`
`(51)
`
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DIGITAL
`RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
`
`(52) US. Cl. ............................. .. 705/51; 709/246; 705/57
`
`Inventor: Reem Safadi, Horsham, PA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`LAW OFFICE OF BARRY R LIPSITZ
`755 MAIN STREET
`MONROE, CT 06468 (US)
`
`Assignee: General Instrument Corporation, 101
`Tournament Drive, Horsham, PA 19044
`(Us)
`10/039,156
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 31, 2001
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................... .. G06F 17/60
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Apparatus and methods are provided to allow content pro
`tected by different digital rights management schemes from
`a plurality of content providers to be downloaded, played
`and/or viewed on a single consumer device, without regard
`to the original DRM scheme used to protect the content. The
`present invention acts as a type of proxy agent or interme
`diary for the consumer that has requested the content. The
`original DRM scheme of particular content is converted to
`a native DRM scheme compatible with the consumer device
`that has requested the content before the requested content
`is delivered to the consumer device. A network operator
`(e.g., a content delivery system operator) can therefore
`interface with multiple content providers having disparate
`DRM schemes, while maintaining a consistent DRM
`scheme on the operator’s network and the associated con
`sumer devices.
`
`CONTENT
`PROVIDER
`50
`
`EXTERNAL
`NETWORK
`20
`
`CONTENT
`PROVIDER
`52
`(WITH DRM)
`
`OOB TRANSPORT
`STREAM 42
`
`SYSTEM
`OPERATOR
`
`25
`WALLED
`GARDEN
`
`CONTENT
`SERVER
`3D
`
`HEADEND
`NETWORK
`6O
`
`CONTENT
`SERVER
`32
`
`HEADEND
`PROCESSING
`10o
`
`PROCESSOR
`11o
`
`DRM PROXY
`DEVICE
`120
`
`MULTIPLEXER
`14o
`
`CONSUMER
`DEVICE
`200
`
`PLAYER
`210
`
`DIRECTV Exhibit 1016
`
`

`
`DIRECTV Exhibit 1016
`
`

`
`US 2003/0126086 A1
`
`Jul. 3, 2003
`
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DIGITAL
`RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates generally to the ?eld
`of digital communications. More particularly, the present
`invention relates to digital rights management and copy
`protection of content provided over a digital communica
`tions netWork.
`[0002] Digital Rights Management (DRM) secures the
`sale of content and protects against illegal and unauthoriZed
`distribution and playback of the content. DRM may also
`alloW for copy control, including anti-copying features,
`conditional copy features, and generational copy-control
`features. DRM protects content oWners, publishers, distribu
`tors, and retailers. DRM typically enforces encryption of
`content. Decryption is alloWed, for example, only When the
`softWare is properly licensed, Which enables the necessary
`decryption key(s) to be obtained. Such protection alloWs
`high quality content to be readily made available to con
`sumers. Consumers, hoWever, Would prefer to do Without
`DRM restrictions. As a result, a balance is necessary
`betWeen securing the content and inconveniencing the con
`sumer.
`
`[0003] Copy protection is intended to protect digital con
`tent from being illegally copied and distributed. This may be
`done at tWo levels by: (1) preventing illegal copying and
`controlling hoW many copies are made; (2) preventing
`access to transferred bits and preventing theft of content
`While bits are being transferred.
`
`[0004] The steps involved in a typical DRM system con
`sist of the folloWing:
`[0005]
`a) digital content is created;
`[0006] b) the content is sealed (encrypted);
`
`[0007] c) the content is hosted by the seller and/or
`distributor (if not the same);
`
`0008 d the user ac uires the sealed content and
`q
`permissions (e.g., license, decryption key);
`[0009] e) the content is unsealed and used.
`
`[0010] Typically, DRM schemes alloW authoriZed users to
`doWnload, previeW, purchase and play or vieW the content.
`Associated access rights may have time based expiration of
`content usage or limit the number of plays. Content usage
`rules include price, payment offer, play, vieW, print, copy,
`save, super-distribution, and the like. When DRM is coupled
`With copy protection, the folloWing becomes controllable:
`copy never, copy once, generational copy control, unlimited
`copy, and the like. Generational copy control refers to the
`governing of making copies from copies. For example,
`generational copy control may be implemented such that
`only a certain number of copies may be made from an
`original or subsequent copy of the original. In addition, copy
`control features may be added or updated to the copy and/or
`the original each time a copy is made, so that: (1) the copy
`is provided With neW copy control features, Which may be
`the same as or different from the copy control features of the
`original, depending on the user’s rights; and (2) the original
`copy protection features are updated to account for the copy
`or copies made.
`
`[0011] Secure storage and binding the usage rights and
`decryption keys to hardWare prevents casual attacks.
`Authentication of DRM components is typically accom
`plished using digital signatures and public key certi?cates.
`Encryption and decryption may use symmetric cipher and
`DES standards, geared toWards fast processing and fault
`tolerance (against lost data). The decryption key may be
`included in the content license.
`
`[0012] Rights language and licensing are used to express
`usage rights. Digital rights language may be based on
`Extensible Rights Markup Language (XrML) developed by
`ContentGuard® and once speci?ed it is digitally signed.
`XrML provides a universal method for specifying rights and
`issuing conditions associated With the use and protection of
`content. XrML enables content oWners to describe rights
`fees and conditions appropriate to the business/commerce
`models they select. It also provides standard easy to under
`stand terms for usage rights. In addition, XrML offers
`vendors operational de?nitions of trusted systems for com
`pliance testing and evaluation. It also provides extensibility
`to neW language features.
`
`[0013] There are currently a large number of DRM and
`copy protection schemes Which have been or are being
`developed by various manufacturers. These schemes are
`implemented in various media players, so that a user can
`doWnload, play and/or vieW various types of digital content,
`such as streaming media content, digital music ?les, digital
`video ?les, digital multimedia ?les, and digital image ?les.
`In addition, various DRM schemes have been implemented
`to protect the delivery of television programming, such as
`subscription programming, pay-per-vieW programming, or
`on-demand programming.
`
`[0014] Due to the large number of available media players
`With varying DRM schemes, as Well as the varying DRM
`schemes used in the television, music, and ?lm industries,
`convergence on any speci?c solution Will most likely not
`occur for years to come.
`
`[0015] It Would be advantageous to provide methods and
`apparatus for digital rights management that alloW a user to
`doWnload and use content at a single media player or
`consumer device regardless of the DRM scheme, as long as
`that user has the right to such content. It Would also be
`advantageous if such a solution is transparent to the user and
`to the content provider. It Would be further advantageous if
`such a system provides for converting the original DRM
`scheme initially used by the content provider to protect the
`content to a “native” DRM scheme associated With the
`consumer device or media player. It Would be further
`advantageous to provide for such a DRM solution in an
`existing programming and content delivery system, such as
`for example, a cable or satellite netWork.
`
`[0016] The methods and apparatus of the present invention
`provide the foregoing and other advantages.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0017] The present invention provides methods and appa
`ratus for digital rights management. In particular, the present
`invention enables digital rights management of content from
`a plurality of content providers so that content protected by
`various DRM schemes may be doWnloaded, played and/or
`vieWed from a single consumer device, Without regard to the
`
`DIRECTV Exhibit 1016
`
`

`
`US 2003/0126086 A1
`
`Jul. 3, 2003
`
`original DRM scheme used to protect the content. The
`present invention includes a DRM proxy device for receiv
`ing content incorporating an original DRM scheme from a
`content provider over a ?rst netWork. A processor is pro
`vided for converting the original DRM scheme to a native
`DRM scheme Which is compatible With a consumer device
`used to process the content. The content is then securely
`delivered to the consumer device over a second netWork
`using the native DRM scheme via the DRM proxy device.
`A transcoder may be provided for transcoding the content
`from an original format to a native format compatible With
`the consumer device. In the event that the original DRM
`scheme used for particular content is compatible With (or the
`same as) the DRM scheme utiliZed by the consumer device,
`conversion of that particular content may be omitted.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`[0018] The present invention Will hereinafter be described
`in conjunction With the appended draWing FIGURE, Which
`shoWs a block diagram of an example implementation of the
`present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`[0019] The ensuing detailed description provides pre
`ferred exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to
`limit the scope, applicability, or con?guration of the inven
`tion. Rather, the ensuing detailed description of the preferred
`exemplary embodiments Will provide those skilled in the art
`With an enabling description for implementing a preferred
`embodiment of the invention. It should be understood that
`various changes may be made in the function and arrange
`ment of elements Without departing from the spirit and scope
`of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
`[0020] Although the present invention is described herein
`in connection With a content delivery system, such as a cable
`or satellite delivery system, those skilled in the art Will
`appreciate that the invention is equally applicable to other
`non-traditional delivery netWorks.
`
`[0021] The present invention provides methods and appa
`ratus for digital rights management (DRM). In particular, the
`present invention enables digital rights management of
`content from a plurality of content providers so that content
`protected by various DRM schemes may be doWnloaded,
`played and/or vieWed from a single consumer device, With
`out regard to the original DRM scheme used to protect the
`content. The DRM proxy device of the present invention
`acts as a type of proxy agent or intermediary for the
`consumer that has requested the content. The present inven
`tion enables, for example, a netWork operator (such as a
`cable television system operator) to interface With multiple
`content providers having disparate DRM schemes, While
`maintaining a consistent DRM scheme on the operator’s
`netWork and the consumer devices associated thereWith.
`This is accomplished by converting the original DRM
`scheme of the content to a second “native” DRM scheme
`Which is compatible With the consumer device that has
`requested the content, before delivery of the requested
`content to the consumer device. The present invention is
`particularly applicable to a content delivery system having a
`plurality of subscribers.
`
`[0022] As shoWn in the FIGURE, the present invention
`includes a DRM proxy device 120 for receiving content
`
`incorporating an original DRM scheme from a content
`provider 52 over a ?rst netWork (e.g., external netWork 20).
`Although the FIGURE shoWs only content provider 52 as
`having DRM capabilities, those skilled in the art Will appre
`ciate that there may be a multitude of content providers, each
`having a different DRM scheme.
`
`[0023] A processor 110 is provided for converting the
`original DRM scheme to a native DRM scheme Which is
`compatible With a consumer device 200 used to process the
`content. The content is then securely delivered to the con
`sumer device 200 over a second netWork (e.g., headend
`netWork 60) using the native DRM scheme via the DRM
`proxy device 120.
`
`[0024] Those skilled in the art Will appreciate that the
`content may be encoded and/or compressed using a variety
`of schemes. Therefore, a transcoder 130 may be provided
`for. transcoding the content from an original format (e.g., an
`original compression or encoding format) to a native format
`compatible With the consumer device 200.
`
`[0025] The FIGURE shoWs the transcoder 130, DRM
`proxy device 120, and processor 110 as included Within the
`headend processing system 100. Those skilled in the art Will
`appreciate that such a representation is functional in nature
`only, and that the transcoder 130, DRM proxy device 120,
`and processor 110 may be located at different locations in the
`headend as separate devices. Alternatively, the functions of
`the transcoder 130, DRM proxy device 120, and processor
`110, as Well as other headend functions, may be combined
`in a single device, or embodied in various combinations of
`hardWare, softWare and ?rmWare. The headend processing
`system 100 may also include a multiplexer 140 for providing
`multiplexed transport streams containing the content to the
`consumer device 200.
`
`[0026] The DRM proxy device 120 receives a request
`made via the consumer device 200 for speci?c content over
`the second netWork 60 and forWards the request to the
`content provider over the ?rst netWork 20. The DRM proxy
`device 120 therefore acts as an invisible intermediary
`betWeen the content providers 50, 52 and the consumer
`device 200. The DRM proxy device 120 receives the
`requested content from the content provider(s) 50, 52 as if
`it Were the consumer device 200. The DRM proxy device
`120 is privy to the security parameters of the consumer
`device 200, and can therefore receive the content on behalf
`of the consumer device 200. The processor 110 can then
`terminate the original DRM scheme (e.g., decrypt and
`otherWise gain access to the content as if it had been
`received by the consumer device 200), and then repackage
`the content With the native DRM scheme for secure delivery
`to the consumer device 200 via the DRM proxy device 120
`over the second netWork 60. In this Way, the identity of the
`consumer device 200 is maintained as far as the content
`provider is concerned, and security and conditional access
`rights for each consumer device 200 in the netWork can
`remain unchanged.
`
`[0027] Those skilled in the art Will appreciate that the ?rst
`netWork 20 may comprise, for example, an external com
`munication netWork, such as the World Wide Web, the
`Internet, a national backbone netWork, a privately oWned
`Wide area netWork, or any other netWork to Which a con
`sumer device may be connected on a generally World Wide
`basis. The second netWork 60 may comprise a system
`
`DIRECTV Exhibit 1016
`
`

`
`US 2003/0126086 A1
`
`Jul. 3, 2003
`
`operator network, which may be, for example, a cable
`delivery system, a satellite delivery system, a local area
`network, a large area network, a national network, or other
`similar network where access is controlled by a system
`operator.
`
`[0028] In order to convert from the original DRM scheme
`to the native DRM scheme, the processor 110 processes
`DRM data of the original DRM scheme and decrypts the
`content in accordance with this data. The content is then
`re-encrypted by the processor 110 using the native DRM
`scheme. The native DRM scheme may comprise any DRM
`scheme now known in the art or subsequently developed.
`Various DRM schemes are already well known, and can be
`found in the literature. In accordance with the present
`invention, the content may also be transcoded (e.g., by
`transcoder 130) from an original format to a native format
`compatible with the consumer device 200. Transcoding is
`also well known in the art as can be seen, for example, in
`US. Pat. No. 6,275,536 to X. Chen, et al. entitled “Imple
`mentation Architectures of a Multi-Channel MPEG Video
`Transcoder Using Multiple Programmable Processors.”
`
`[0029] The content may be one of streaming media con
`tent, downloadable multimedia ?les, digital video or music
`?les, digital image ?les, subscription programming, pay-per
`view programming (e.g., web cast programming), on-de
`mand programming, or the like.
`
`[0030] The consumer device 200 may comprise any one of
`a plurality of consumer devices in the delivery system, such
`as an audiovisual receiver/decoder device, a cable set-top
`device, a satellite receiver, a digital television device, a host
`device, a streaming media player, a web pad, an Internet
`device, an MP3 player, a digital video recorder, a personal
`versatile recorder, a computer, a cellular telephone, a per
`sonal digital assistant, or the like.
`
`[0031] The original and native DRM schemes may com
`prise at least one of copy protection, copy control, content
`access control, encryption of the content, decryption of the
`content, distribution control, and usage rights. Digital rights
`management may be enabled using extensible rights markup
`language (XrML).
`[0032] In a particular embodiment, the second network 60
`comprises an existing video delivery system having an
`associated system operator 40. The content may be offered
`by either the content provider(s) 50, 52 or the system
`operator (e.g., via content servers 30, 32) based on one of a
`subscription basis, a pay-per-use basis, or an on-demand
`basis. The DRM schemes may comprise at least one of copy
`protection, copy control, content access control, encryption
`of the content, decryption of the content, distribution con
`trol, and usage rights. Delivery of the content may be tracked
`by the system operator 40. Where the system operator 40
`provides the content via content servers 30, 32, the DRM
`scheme of the content may be a native DRM scheme
`compatible with the consumer device 200, so that no further
`processing is necessary before delivering of the content to
`the consumer device 200.
`
`[0033] The DRM proxy device 120 may be located at a
`redistribution headend facility, for example, a local televi
`sion headend facility (e.g., headend processing system 100).
`The content is delivered via the video delivery system from
`the headend 100 to the consumer device 200 using the native
`
`DRM scheme. In such an embodiment, the headend 100 acts
`as a proxy agent on behalf of the consumer device, and
`passes on the request for content from the consumer device
`to the content provider. The headend 100, via DRM proxy
`device 120, then receives the requested content having an
`original DRM scheme and converts that original DRM
`scheme to a native DRM scheme compatible with the
`consumer device 200 transparently to the consumer device
`200. The requested content is then delivered to the consumer
`device 200 via DRM proxy device 120 over the second
`network 60.
`
`[0034] It should be appreciated that revenue distribution in
`the foregoing scenarios may be based on prior agreements
`between the parties involved (e.g., between the system
`operator 40 and the content providers 50, 52).
`
`[0035] A percentage of a fee for delivery of the content
`may be provided from the content provider 50, 52 to the
`system operator. Access to the content at the consumer
`device 200 may be enabled via the native DRM scheme.
`
`[0036] The content may be provided by content providers
`50, 52 which are outside of the system operator’s walled
`garden 25. The walled garden 25 provides a measure of
`security to the system operator 40 and the consumer devices
`200 by limiting access to non-quali?ed sites outside the
`headend network 60. Only content from selected content
`providers 50, 52 may be accessed by the consumer device
`200.
`
`[0037] The ?gure shows only two content providers 50, 52
`and two content servers 30, 32 for ease of explanation.
`Content servers 30, 32 may be part of the existing delivery
`system and under the control of the system operator 40.
`Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a multitude of
`content providers and content servers may be available to
`provide content to the consumer device.
`
`[0038] In an alternate embodiment, the consumer device
`200 may be compatible with multiple DRM schemes. In
`such an embodiment, the conversion between an original
`DRM scheme and a native DRM scheme would only take
`place as necessary when, for example, the consumer device
`200 is not compatible with the original DRM scheme of the
`requested content.
`
`[0039] In order to convert the original DRM scheme to the
`native DRM scheme, the processor 110 may translate a
`DRM syntax of the original DRM scheme, e.g., extensible
`rights markup language (XrML), to a native syntax of the
`native DRM scheme.
`
`[0040] A media player 210 which is downloadable to the
`consumer device 200 may be provided that is compatible
`with the native DRM scheme. The media player 210 may be
`provided by either a content provider 50, 52 or the system
`operator 40.
`
`[0041] The DRM proxy device 120 may also receive
`unprotected content without any DRM scheme over the ?rst
`network (e.g., from content provider 50). In this instance, it
`would be advantageous to add DRM to the content before
`delivering it to the consumer device. In such an instance, the
`processor 110 may process the unprotected content to incor
`porate the native DRM scheme in order to provide DRM
`protected content. The DRM protected content may then be
`
`DIRECTV Exhibit 1016
`
`

`
`US 2003/0126086 A1
`
`Jul. 3, 2003
`
`securely delivered to the consumer device 200 over the
`second network using the native DRM scheme.
`
`[0042] The out-of-band (OOB) data path 42 is used to
`transmit a variety of information from the system operator
`40 to the consumer device 200, such as security and access
`control information (e.g., con?guration, decryption entitle
`ments, authoriZation commands, and the like), system con
`?guration information, electronic programming guide
`(EPG) information, and doWnloadable objects (e.g., media
`players, doWnloadable programs, and the like). The return
`path from the consumer device 200 to the system operator 40
`is not shoWn; hoWever, various return path technologies are
`Well knoWn. An eXample return path technology is disclosed
`in the Data Over Cable Service Interface Speci?cation
`(DOCSIS).
`[0043] The content may be delivered to the consumer
`device 200 via an in-band MPEG-2 transport stream, via a
`cable modem utiliZing Data Over Cable Service Interface
`Speci?cation (DOCSIS), or any other transport method
`compatible With the second netWork 60 and the consumer
`device 200. Although unlikely When the bandWidth is con
`strained on the OOB channel, the transport stream carrying
`the content may be combined With the OOB transport stream
`42 at, for eXample, an RF combiner 150, prior to being
`delivered to the consumer device 200.
`
`[0044] It should noW be appreciated that the present
`invention provides advantageous methods and apparatus for
`digital rights management of content that alloWs a user to
`doWnload and use content at a single media player or
`consumer device regardless of Whether a DRM scheme
`initially used to protect the content is compatible With the
`media player or consumer device.
`
`[0045] Although the invention has been described in con
`nection With various illustrated embodiments, numerous
`modi?cations and adaptations may be made thereto Without
`departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set
`forth in the claims.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method for digital rights management (DRM) of
`content from a plurality of content providers, comprising the
`steps of:
`
`receiving content incorporating an original DRM scheme
`from a content provider over a ?rst netWork;
`
`converting said original DRM scheme to a native DRM
`scheme Which is compatible With a consumer device
`used to process said content; and
`
`securely delivering said content to said consumer device
`using said native DRM scheme over a second netWork.
`2. A method in accordance With claim 1, further compris
`ing:
`transcoding said content from an original format to a
`native format compatible With said consumer device.
`3. A method in accordance With claim 1, further compris
`ing:
`receiving a request made via the consumer device for
`speci?c content over the second netWork; and
`
`forWarding the request to the content provider over the
`?rst netWork.
`
`4. A method in accordance With claim 1, Wherein said
`converting step comprises:
`processing data associated With the original DRM
`scheme;
`decrypting the content using the data; and
`
`re-encrypting said content using said native DRM
`scheme.
`5. A method in accordance With claim 1, Wherein said
`content comprises one of streaming media content, doWn
`loadable multimedia ?les, digital video or music ?les, digital
`image ?les, subscription programming, pay-per-vieW pro
`gramming, or on-demand programming.
`6. A method in accordance With claim 1, Wherein said
`consumer device comprises one of an audiovisual receiver/
`decoder device, a cable set-top device, a satellite receiver
`device, a digital television device, a host device, a streaming
`media player, a Web pad, an Internet device, an MP3 player,
`a digital video recorder, a personal versatile recorder, a
`computer, a cellular telephone, or a personal digital assis
`tant.
`7. A method in accordance With claim 1, Wherein said
`original and native DRM schemes comprise at least one of
`copy protection, copy control, content access control,
`encryption of said content, decryption of said content,
`distribution control, and usage rights.
`8. A method in accordance With claim 1, Wherein said
`digital rights management is enabled using extensible rights
`markup language (XrML).
`9. A method in accordance With claim 1, wherein said
`second netWork comprises an existing video delivery system
`having an associated system operator.
`10. A method in accordance With claim 9, Wherein:
`
`said content is offered by one of the content provider or
`the system operator based on one of a subscription
`basis, a pay-per-use basis, or on-demand basis.
`11. A method in accordance With claim 10, Wherein said
`original and native DRM schemes comprise at least one of
`copy protection, copy control, content access control,
`encryption of said content, decryption of said content,
`distribution control, and usage rights.
`12. A method in accordance With claim 9, further com
`prising:
`tracking the delivery of said content by the system opera
`tor.
`13. A method in accordance With claim 9, Wherein:
`
`said content is received at a redistribution headend facil
`ity;
`said original DRM scheme is converted to said native
`DRM scheme at said headend; and
`
`said content is delivered via said video delivery system
`from said headend to said consumer device using said
`native DRM scheme.
`14. A method in accordance With claim 13, further com
`prising:
`providing a percentage of a fee for delivery of said content
`from said content provider to said system operator.
`15. A method in accordance With claim 1, Wherein access
`to said content at said consumer device is enabled via said
`native DRM scheme.
`
`DIRECTV Exhibit 1016
`
`

`
`US 2003/0126086 A1
`
`Jul. 3, 2003
`
`16. A method in accordance With claim 1, wherein said
`consumer device is compatible With multiple DRM
`schemes.
`17. A method in accordance With claim 1, Wherein said
`converting step comprises translating a DRM syntax of said
`original DRM scheme to a native syntax of said native DRM
`scheme.
`18. A method in accordance With claim 1, further com
`prising:
`doWnloading a media player to said consumer device, said
`media player being compatible With said native DRM
`scheme.
`19. A method in accordance With claim 1, further com
`prising:
`receiving unprotected content Without an any DRM
`scheme over the ?rst netWork;
`processing the unprotected content to incorporate the
`native DRM scheme to provide DRM protected con
`tent; and
`securely delivering the DRM protected content to the
`consumer device using said native DRM scheme over
`the second netWork.
`20. Apparatus for digital rights management (DRM) of
`content from a plurality of content providers, comprising:
`
`digital video recorder, a personal versatile recorder, a com
`puter, a cellular telephone, or a personal digital assistant.
`26. Apparatus in accordance With claim 20, Wherein said
`original and native DRM schemes comprise at least one of
`copy protection, copy control, content access control,
`encryption of said content, decryption of said content,
`distribution control, and usage rights.
`27. Apparatus in accordance With claim 20, Wherein said
`digital rights management is enabled using extensible rights
`markup language (XrML).
`28. Apparatus in accordance With claim 20, Wherein said
`second netWork comprises an existing video delivery system
`having an associated system operator.
`29. Apparatus in accordance With claim 28 Wherein:
`
`said content is offered by one of the content provider or
`the system operator based on one of a subscription
`basis, a pay-per-use basis, or an on-demand basis.
`30. Apparatus in accordance With claim 29, Wherein said
`original and native DRM schemes comprise at least one of
`copy protection, copy control, content access control,
`encryption of said content, decryption of said content,
`distribution control, and usage rights.
`31. Apparatus in accordance With claim 28, Wherein:
`delivery of said content is tracked by the system operator.
`32. Apparatus in accordance With claim 28, Wherein:
`
`a DRM proxy device for receiving content incorporating
`an original DRM scheme from a content provider over
`a ?rst netWork; and
`
`a processor for converting said original DRM scheme to
`a native DRM scheme Which is compatible With a
`consumer device used to process said content;
`
`said DRM proxy device is located at a redistribution
`headend facility; and
`said content is delivered via said video delivery system
`from said headend to said consumer device using said
`native DRM scheme.
`33. Apparatus in accordance With claim 32, Wherein:
`
`Wherein said content is securely delivered to said con
`sumer device over a second netWork using said native
`DRM scheme via said DRM proxy device.
`21. Apparatus in accordance With claim 20, further com
`prising:
`a transcoder for transcoding said content from an original
`format to a native format compatible With said con
`sumer device.
`22. Apparatus in accordance With claim 20, Wherein:
`
`the DRM proxy device receives a request made via the
`consumer device for speci?c content over the second
`netWork and forWards the request to the content pro
`vider over the ?rst netWork.
`23. Apparatus in accordance With claim 20, Wherein said
`processor:
`processes data associated With the original DRM scheme;
`decrypts the content using the data; and
`re-encrypts said content using said native DRM scheme.
`24. Apparatus in accordance With claim 20, Wherein said
`content comprises one of streaming media content, doWn
`loadable multimedia ?les, digital video or music ?les, digital
`image ?les, subscription programming, pay-per-vieW pro
`gramming, or on-demand programming.
`25. Apparatus in accordance With claim 20, Wherein said
`consumer device comprises one of an audiovisual receiver/
`decoder device, a cable set-top device, a satellite receiver, a
`digital television device, a host device, a streaming media
`player, a Web pad, an Internet device, an MP3 player, a
`
`a percentage of a fee for delivery of said content is
`provided from said content provider to said system
`operator.
`34. Apparatus in accordance With claim 20, Wherein
`access to said content at said consumer device is enabled via
`said native DRM scheme.
`35. Apparatus in accordance With claim 20, Wherein said
`consumer device is compatible With multiple DRM
`schemes.
`36. Apparatus in accordance With claim 20, Wherein said
`processor translates a DRM syntax of said original DRM
`scheme to a native syntax of said native DRM scheme.
`37. Apparatus in accordance With claim 20, further com
`prising:
`a media player doWnloadable to said consumer device,
`said media player being compatible With said native
`DRM scheme.
`38. Apparatus in accordance With claim 20, Wherein:
`
`the DRM proxy device receives unprotected content With
`out an any DRM scheme ove