Method for metering and pricing of digital works

1. A method for providing multiple use packages for a digital work having one or more rights associated therewith within a system having at least one repository configured to enforce use of said digital work in accordance with said one or more rights, said method comprising:

associating a plurality of versions of a play right with said digital work,

wherein each version of said play right specifies a respective play fee for playing said digital work in a manner specified by said version of said play right,

one version of said play right includes one of a limited play of said digital work without fee, a metered play fee for said digital work based on a length of time said digital work is played, and a fee for a first playing of said digital work with no fee for further playing of said digital work, and

said play right is created from a grammar, including one or more symbols selected from a set of predetermined symbols to define a valid sequence of symbols to indicate the play right;

obtaining a copy of said digital work by a consumer;

sending a play request message by the consumer and specifying said digital work and said play right;

processing the play request message from the consumer to grant the consumer the play right for the digital work; and

reporting a respective play fee corresponding to an exercised version of said play right as a transaction in response to exercise of said play right.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of versions of a play right is stored on the same physical device as the associated digital work.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of versions of a play right is stored on a different physical device than the associated digital work.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

selecting by said consumer a version of said play rights being exercised and wherein said reporting step comprises reporting a respective fee corresponding to the selected version of said play right.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 through 4 , wherein said digital work is software.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said play right specifies a manner of executing said software.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 through 4 , wherein said digital work is a music work.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 through 4 , wherein said digital work is a video work.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 through 4 , wherein said digital work is a composite digital work.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 through 4 , wherein at least one of said repositories has a minimum security level.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 through 4 , wherein said repositories have respective security levels.

12. The method of any one of claims 1 through 4 , wherein said repositories are trustworthy.

13. A method for providing fonts, said fonts having one or more rights associated therewith within a system having at least one repository configured to enforce use of said font in accordance with said one or more rights, said method comprising:

associating a plurality of versions of a play right with said font,

wherein each version of said play right specifies a respective play fee for playing said font in a manner specified by said version of said play right and a player of an approved category for playing said font,

one version of said play right includes one of a metered play fee based on a length of time said font is played, and a per use fee based on each play of said font, and

said play right is created from a grammar, including one or more symbols selected from a set of predetermined symbols to define a valid sequence of symbols to indicate the play right;

obtaining a copy of said font by a publisher;

sending a play request message by the publisher and specifying said font and said play right;

processing the play request message from the publisher to grant the consumer the play right for the font; and

reporting a respective fee corresponding to an exercised version of said play right as a transaction in response to exercise of said play right.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising associating a copy right specifying a copy fee with said font.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein said player comprises a print layout program.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

inputting said font into a layout program by said publisher and wherein said reporting step comprises reporting a respective fee corresponding to the exercised version of said play right for the input font.