Hierarchical watermarking of content that is distributed via a network
US6804779B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F21/1063
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Content is distributed via a network. Hierarchical watermarks are embedded in the content to prevent unauthorized copying of the content. In particular, a first digital watermark is embedded by a content source prior to distributing content to an intermediary distributor. The first watermark identifies the content source and the distributor. Clients that request copies of the content from the distributor receive copies that have a second digital watermark embedded. The second digital watermark identifies the distributor and the client. This approach alleviates the burden placed on the content source to embed watermarks to each copy of the content that is distributed to clients.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.