System, method and client user interface for a copy protection service

摘要

A system, method and client user interface for a copy protection service employs software agents masquerading as nodes in decentralized networks for monitoring and interdicting file sharing activities of protected files in the networks. A control center communicates with the software agents and subscriber client computers through user interfaces, so as to provide monitoring information to users of the client computers and control the monitoring and interdiction of protected files according to instructions received from the client computers. A one-click method for requesting protection of a file, providing the terms of such protection, and updating billing information for the user is implemented through the user interface to simplify user interaction with the copy protection service.