Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Miguel A Claudio

Scott Randall Shell

Andrew D Padawer

Kevin John Savage

Nicholas Milton Hofmeister

William E Stelzel

Katharine O Holdsworth

Ryan Walter Jason Waite

A pluggable file-based DRM (digital rights management) API (application program interface) layer for applications and engines. The invention defines a pluggable file-based DRM API layer such that mobile operators can choose to use any file-based DRM (FDRM) engine in their final product. An FDRM engine can be content agnostic (e.g., can range from an executable to a media file or ring-tone). In accordance with the invention, an application can become DRM aware by calling the novel file-based DRM APIs. Any FDRM engine can be plugged into the novel API layer such that applications can use the protected content. The API layer of the subject invention can be designed such that applications that are DRM aware by using the file-based DRM API layer can be DRM engine agnostic.

Pluggable file-based digital rights management API layer for applications and engines

The present invention prompts a user to accept, install and execute unauthenticated computer applications. When the user accepts the application, information relating to the application files may be added to a prompt exclusion list (PEL). In this way, further downloads or execution of the same applications may be performed without prompting the user. The integrity of the application is checked before it is run. If the integrity does not match the stored integrity, the application is terminated. A revocation list is maintained that denies any applications on the revocation list from executing even if they contain signed certificates and are from trusted sources.

Method for prompting a user to install and execute an unauthenticated computer application

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Redmond, WA, United States of America

Miguel A Claudio