A method for creating a composite digital work having usage rights and composite digital works having usage rights. The method comprises creating a digital content portion of a composite digital work including a plurality of content parts, and creating a description structure for the composite digital work. The description structure comprises a plurality of description blocks containing usage rights associated with at least a corresponding at least one of said content parts. The usage rights specify a manner of use for the corresponding one of the content parts. The manner of use indicates one or more stated purposes for which the corresponding digital content portion can be at least one of used and distributed by an authorized user.