Secure electronic commerce system

摘要

A secure electronic commerce system and method provides for the distribution of artistic works in electronic formats. The system includes a server system which permits the author or owner of a work to upload and store an electronic copy of the work and allows a plurality of client systems to access the server system to download encrypted copies of the work. The server system can also include an electronic commerce system which enables a client system to transfer value from a credit account or a debit account to an account associated with the server system in exchange for permission to download works. The server system includes an encryption system which stores a unique key for each client system and uses the key to encrypt each work download to a corresponding client system. Each client system includes an encryption system and a unique key which enables only that system to decrypt the work to all a consumer to use the work. The unique key can also be used to verify the identity of the client system.