US 7,457,968 Method and system for a recursive security protocol for digital copyright control
9 defendants · 9 suits · updated October 6, 2026
Also cited as U.S. Patent No. 7,457,968 · US7457968B2 · US 7,457,968 B2 · 7457968 · the '968 patent
Torus Ventures LLC has filed 9 patent-infringement suits on US 7,457,968, "Method and system for a recursive security protocol for digital copyright control" since September 4, 2026, all in the W.D. Tex., against 9 distinct defendants including Chuys Opco, Inc., Ethos Technologies Inc. and Insurance Zebra, Inc.. The patent was granted November 25, 2008 on a priority date of June 20, 2002. Its abstract opens: "Systems and methods are described which utilize a recursive security protocol for the protection of digital data." The examiner cited 5 references during prosecution.
- Assignee
- Torus Ventures LLC
- Priority date
- June 20, 2002
- Granted
- November 25, 2008
- Expires
- June 20, 2022
- Status
- Expired - Lifetime
- Claims
- 42 (4 independent)
- Inventors
- William V. Oxford
- Full text
- Google Patents
The suits
9 cases · W.D. Tex. (9)
| Filed | Defendant | Plaintiff | Court | Docket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-04 | Chuys Opco, Inc. | Torus Ventures LLC | W.D. Tex. | 7:26-cv-00350 |
| 2026-09-04 | Ethos Technologies Inc. | Torus Ventures LLC | W.D. Tex. | 7:26-cv-00352 |
| 2026-09-04 | Insurance Zebra, Inc. | Torus Ventures LLC | W.D. Tex. | 7:26-cv-00353 |
| 2026-09-04 | National Western Life Insurance Company | Torus Ventures LLC | W.D. Tex. | 7:26-cv-00354 |
| 2026-09-04 | netQuote, Inc. | Torus Ventures LLC | W.D. Tex. | 7:26-cv-00355 |
| 2026-09-04 | Sana Benefits, Inc. | Torus Ventures LLC | W.D. Tex. | 7:26-cv-00356 |
| 2026-09-04 | Success Foods Management Group, LLC | Torus Ventures LLC | W.D. Tex. | 7:26-cv-00357 |
| 2026-09-04 | Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. | Torus Ventures LLC | W.D. Tex. | 7:26-cv-00358 |
| 2026-09-04 | The Helper Bees, Inc. | Torus Ventures LLC | W.D. Tex. | 7:26-cv-00360 |
Docket links open the public record on CourtListener. Filing dates are the complaint's.
Independent claims
What is actually asserted, verbatim.
1. A method for a security protocol for protecting digital content, comprising: obtaining a first decryption algorithm from a first bit stream; decrypting the remainder of the first bit stream to yield a first decrypted bit stream, wherein the decryption of the remainder of the first bit stream is done utilizing the first decryption algorithm obtained from the first bit stream; obtaining a second decryption algorithm from the first decrypted bit stream; and decrypting the remainder of the second bit stream to yield a second decrypted bit stream, wherein the decryption of the remainder of the second bit stream is done utilizing the second decryption algorithm obtained from the second bit stream.
20. A system for implementing a security protocol for protecting digital content comprising: a target unit comprising: a processor operable to execute instructions; and a memory operable to store instructions operable to perform the steps of: obtaining a first decryption algorithm from a first bit stream; decrypting the remainder of the first bit stream to yield a first decrypted bit stream, wherein the decryption of the remainder of the first bit stream is done utilizing the first decryption algorithm obtained from the first bit stream; obtaining a second decryption algorithm from the first decrypted bit stream; and decrypting the remainder of the second bit stream to yield a second decrypted bit stream, wherein the decryption of the remainder of the second bit stream is done utilizing the second decryption algorithm obtained from the second bit stream.
39. A method for a security protocol for protecting digital content, comprising: obtaining a first decryption algorithm from a first bit stream; decrypting the remainder of the first bit stream to yield a first decrypted bit stream, wherein the decryption of the remainder of the first bit stream is done utilizing the first decryption algorithm obtained from the first bit stream; obtaining a first portion of the first decrypted bit stream; and determining that the first portion of the first decrypted bit stream is an Indicator signifying that the remainder of the second bit stream is digital content in the clear.
41. A method for a security protocol for protecting digital content, comprising: obtaining a first decryption algorithm from a first bit stream; decrypting the remainder of the first bit stream to yield a first decrypted bit stream, wherein the decryption of the remainder of the first bit stream is done utilizing the first decryption algorithm obtained from the first bit stream; obtaining a first portion of the first decrypted bit stream; obtaining a second decryption algorithm using the first portion of the first decrypted bit stream; and decrypting the remainder of the second bit stream to yield a second decrypted bit stream, wherein the decryption of the remainder of the second bit stream is done utilizing the second decryption algorithm.
Art before the examiner
13 references of record, 5 cited by the examiner.
Everything listed here was before the Office and is what a challenge must go beyond. Art the examiner never saw is where an invalidity search starts.
Examiner-cited
- US4893339A — Secure communication system (Motorola, Inc.)
- US5285497A — Methods and apparatus for scrambling and unscrambling compressed data streams (Scientific Atlanta)
- US5764774A — Source data compression and decompression in code symbol printing and decoding (Intermec Corporation)
- US6088677A — System for exchanging health care insurance information (Spurgeon; Loren J.)
- US20020138435A1 — Method and system for content delivery control using a parallel network (Williams L. Lloyd)
Applicant-cited and other (8)
- GB2341955A — Web site visitor emulator for load testing
- US6101605A — Method and apparatus for performing a secure operation
- US6226742B1 — Cryptographic technique that provides fast encryption and decryption and assures integrity of a ciphertext message through use of a message authentication code formed through cipher block chaining of the plaintext message
- US6327652B1 — Loading and identifying a digital rights management operating system
- US6330670B1 — Digital rights management operating system
- US20020013772A1 — Binding a digital license to a portable device or the like in a digital rights management (DRM) system and checking out / checking in the digital license to / from the portable device or the like
- US6367019B1 — Copy security for portable music players
- US6412070B1 — Extensible security system and method for controlling access to objects in a computing environment
Classification
- G06F21/10primary — Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material ; Digital rights management [DRM]
- H04L2209/56 — Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash
- H04L2209/603 — Digital right managament [DRM]
- H04L63/0428 — Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
- H04L63/0478 — Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload applying multiple layers of encryption, e.g. nested tunnels or encrypting the content with a first key and then with at least a second key
- H04L9/3242 — Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity authentication, data integrity or data verification, non-repudiation, key authentication or verification of credentials using cryptographic hash functions involving keyed hash functions, e.g. message authentication codes [MACs], CBC-MAC or HMAC
- H04L9/3247 — Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity authentication, data integrity or data verification, non-repudiation, key authentication or verification of credentials involving digital signatures
Family
- US7457968B2 — B2 (2008)
- US20100235644A1 — A1 (2010)
- US7747876B2 — B2 (2010)
- US20090052662A1 — A1 (2009)
- US8726035B2 — B2 (2014)
- US20080240420A1 — A1 (2008)
- US7203844B1 — B1 (2007)
- US20130227302A1 — A1 (2013)
- US9710617B2 — B2 (2017)
Abstract
Systems and methods are described which utilize a recursive security protocol for the protection of digital data. These may include encrypting a bit stream with a first encryption algorithm and associating a first decryption algorithm with the encrypted bit stream. The resulting bit stream may then be encrypted with a second encryption algorithm to yield a second bit stream. This second bit stream is then associated with a second decryption algorithm. This second bit stream can then be decrypted by an intended recipient using associated keys.
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This page is assembled from public records — federal court dockets and the patent's own file — and is updated as the case list changes. It states what the record shows and is not an opinion on the validity or infringement of any claim. Patent data via Google Patents; docket data via CourtListener.