Broadcasting of electronic documents preserving copyright and permitting private copying

摘要

A method of broadcasting electronic documents allowing the protection of copyright and private copying includes a network accessible control server taking customer orders, network accessible delivery and control servers, and equipment supporting a display for consulting the document. Each document copy is generated by the delivery server based on the document model ordered. A controller verifies digital rights in force at consultation time, and contains other digital rights acquired by the customer. Copy generation is triggered by the customer activating a URL link to the delivery server. This link was previously sent to the customer via electronic messaging by the order server, containing at least the unique identifier of the copy ordered. The copy is loaded onto the customer's equipment on completion of generation and can be consulted only after issuing a request to the control server containing the unique identifier, and the receipt of the response permitting consultation.