Method and system for proving ownership of digital data

US6856977B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• André Adelsbach · Trier, DE
• Birgit M. Pfitzmann · Samstagern, CH
• Ahmad-Reza Sadeghi · Riegelsberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 21, 2000
• Grant date: Feb 15, 2005
• Expiry date: Feb 11, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/06
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system for proving ownership of digital media works. Proof of ownership of such type of work is provided by a protocol for registering a work with a registration center thus providing the rightful owner or copyright holder of the work with an ownership certificate. There is also provided a protocol for proving to another party who is a prospective buyer or licensee, that an ownership claim is correct and valid by providing the ownership certificate when required. Another protocol is utilized for showing to a third party, a prospective buyer or licensee, that a second party has correctly obtained the corresponding work from the rightful copyright owner.