Liquid Machines, Inc.

Norbert Leser

Edward J Gaudet

James Schoonmaker

Robert Ian Morgan

Fajen Kyne

Michael D Smith

Christopher B Barclay

Arnold S Epstein

In a network of intermittently-connected computers, a method and apparatus for maintaining and managing control over data objects authored, accessed, and altered by users in dynamic, distributed, and collaborative contexts. The invention method and apparatus attach to each data object an identification of a respective control policy. Each control policy comprises at least an indication of a subset of the users who may access the data object, an indication of the privileges granted to each subset of users able to access the data object, and an indication of a subset of users who may define or edit the control policy. The invention method and apparatus separate the management of the control policies of data objects from the creation and use of the data objects. The invention method and apparatus automate common policy changes, distribution of policy changes to the enforcement agents, and propagation of control policies to derivative works.

Computer method and apparatus for managing data objects in a distributed context

Growing community of inventors

Camden, ME, United States of America

Norbert Leser