US Patent 7908665 Cloaked data objects in an electronic content management security system

Embodiments of the invention provide for “cloaked” data objects in an electronic content management system. A “cloaked” data object is one that is inaccessible and unreadable by a user, but one which the user is permitted to know exists. The cloaked object may allow the user to know the scope of use of an object, without revealing the substantive content of the data object. A client application may process the cloaked object in a manner that is no different than manner in which the client processes an uncloaked version of the same data object.