A system and method for data rights management across multiple data rights management architectures is disclosed. The system and method solves the problems posed by multiple incompatible data rights management architectures. In particular, a data rights management clearing house is provided that generates permits, permit classes, and enables content packaging across multiple data rights management architectures. Consumers may acquire rights to content packaged with different data rights management architecture from the single data rights management clearing house. Additionally, the system and method enables content packagers to package content with multiple data rights management architectures. Finally, the data rights management clearing house provides consumers with a single location from which to manage data access rights and restore data access rights that have been lost.

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Microsoft patent ruling [Federal Circuit]
9:47 PM ET

US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, July 14, 2005 [ruling upholding a lower court decision that Microsoft Corp. was liable for infringing on an AT&T Corp. patent for converting speech into computer code in copies of Windows operating system sold abroad]. Excerpt:

Microsoft’s impassioned recitation of a parade of horribles that may befall the domestic software industry — such as the relocation of manufacturing facilities overseas — provides an insufficient basis for reaching a different result in this case.

Read the full text of the opinion here [PDF]. Reported in JURIST’s Paper Chase here.