The disclosure relates generally to digital watermarking applications. One claim recites a method comprising: obtaining identifying information for a party seeking attribution for content to be distributed; using a programmed processor, digital watermarking the content with the identifying information; and associating an attribution action with the identifying information in a data repository; in which the attribution action is triggered when a rendering device decodes the digital watermarking and obtains the identifying information during a transaction, in which performing the attribution action does not occur when the content includes limited functionality for initial evaluation but said performing the royalty payment action does occur when the content is purchased or enabled for longer evaluation relative to the initial evaluation. Other claims and combinations are provided as well.