초록 ▼

The present invention provides tools and techniques for distinguishing a file from any or all copies of the file that may exist. One method ascertains (204) the actual physical location of the file (512) and associates (214) that physical location with the file as the claimed physical location (516)

The present invention provides tools and techniques for distinguishing a file from any or all copies of the file that may exist. One method ascertains (204) the actual physical location of the file (512) and associates (214) that physical location with the file as the claimed physical location (516) of the file. The file's originality status may then be determined (104) by finding (304) the location claim, reading (306) from it the claimed physical location associated with the file, ascertaining (308) the actual physical location of the file, and comparing (310) the locations. If the claimed and actual locations are identical, then the file is the original file it claims to be. If there is disparity between the claimed physical location recited for or by the file and the actual physical location of the file, then it is not the original file it claims to be.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed and desired to be secured by patent is: 1. A method for determining whether a given file stored on a computer-readable storage medium is an original or a copy, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of:reading a claimed physical location identifier from a secured locati

What is claimed and desired to be secured by patent is: 1. A method for determining whether a given file stored on a computer-readable storage medium is an original or a copy, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of:reading a claimed physical location identifier from a secured location claim that is associated with the file, the secured location claim secured by at least one of the following: a hash of at least the physical location identifier and at least a portion of data in the stored file, a digital signature of at least the physical location identifier and at least a portion of data in the stored file;ascertaining the actual physical location of the stored file;comparing the claimed physical location identifier to the actual physical location; andconcluding that the stored file is original if the claimed physical location identifier identifies the actual physical location, and concluding that the stored file is a copy if the claimed physical location identifier does not identify the actual physical location.