System and method for controlling and enforcing access rights to encrypted media

Abstract

A system for providing rights controlled access to digital media comprises a server data processor and a client data processor connected by a communications network. The user data processor provides access to a data object in accordance with rules associated with the data object by the server data processor. The client data processor comprises a machine key device and a user key device. The machine key device is preferably an installed component of the client data processor that provides encryption, decryption, and authentication functionality for the client data processor. The user key device is preferably a removable, portable device that connects to the client data processor and provides encryption, decryption, and authentication functionality for the user. A method restricts the use of a data object to a particular user and a particular data processor through the use of additional layers of encryption. The method preferably comprises encrypting a data object such that the it can be decrypted by the machine key device, and further encrypting the data object such that it can be decrypted by the user key device. A method restricts the use of a data object to a particular user and a particular data processor through the use of rules that require authentication of the machine key device and the user key device.