SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONDITIONAL ACCESS TO DIGITAL CONTENT

In response to a user request to view specific digital content, the user's set top box (STB) accesses a verification entity via a persistent network connection. The STB establishes the user's identity with the verification entity, for instance, by reading identity credentials from a smart card. In response to the verification entity having stored a license for the user to view the digital content, the STB receives a license key from the verification entity. In addition, the STB receives an encrypted access key from an access key source corresponding to a segment of encrypted digital content. The license key is used to decrypt the encrypted access key, which is, in turn, used to decrypt the segment of encrypted digital content. A user may transfer his or her license in whole or in part to another user by sending a transfer request to the verification entity.