Method and apparatus for providing copy protection using a transmittal mode command

Abstract

A method and system of providing copy protection of video analog and digital signals and the like, wherein the signals are transmitted via a digital delivery network, and may comprise, for example, pay-per-view (PPV) program materials protected by copyrights of respective program rights holders. The right holders authorize video service providers () to apply copy protection to the program material. The copy protection process is supplied to the rights holders or the service providers () by a copy protection process licensor. The video service providers () supply suitable copy protection control software via respective control and billing (tracking) centers to generate commands which activate, control and reconfigure the copy protection process being applied to the programs being transmitted. A set-top box () is provided to each consumer and contains a copy protection circuit which is adapted to apply selected anticopy waveforms to the video signal corresponding to the program material in response to the commands from the service providers (). Usage data pertinent to each consumer is returned by the set-top box () to the service providers (), which then report the copy protection usage to the respective rights holders and process licensor.