System for handling digital rights and keys in business-to-business applications, computer software program, computer software modules and software products therefore

There is provided a conditional access system for the distribution and management of digital rights and keys in business-to-business applications of a plurality of actors including rights owners and rights consumers. The logical path between the rights owner and the rights consumer is decomposed into a succession of point-to-point communications between actors or groups of actors and by sharing information that allows identifying actors or groups of actors and establishing secure communications between these actors or groups of actors. Keys communication channels and digital rights communication channels are matched with a network of business relations defining a network of trust between the different actors. The conditional access system of the invention for the distribution and management of digital rights and keys is adapted to be used in a digital cinema network comprising keys communication channels and digital rights communication channels. A computer program for running the system and software or hardware modules and products for this purpose are also provided.