Method and system for generating revenue in a peer-to-peer file delivery network
First Claim
1. A method for generating revenue in a peer-to-peer file delivery network, the network including at least one server node and multiple client nodes, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) enabling peer-to-peer file sharing of content by, (i) initiating on one client node a download of a particular content item served from the server node or another client node, and (ii) charging a fee based on a quantity of the content served; and
(b) enabling decentralized downloads of subscription-based content by (i) allowing the client nodes to subscribe to one or more of the subscription-based content, (ii) periodically sending the subscribed to subscription-based content to each the respective subscribing client nodes, and (iii) charging a fee to providers of the subscription-based content for serving the subscription-based content.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for generating revenue in a peer-to-peer file delivery network that includes at least one server node and multiple client nodes is disclosed. The method and system include enabling peer-to-peer file sharing of content by initiating, on one client node, a download of a particular content item served from the server node or another client node, and then charging a fee based on a quantity of the content served. The method and system further include enabling decentralized downloads of subscription-based content. The decentralized downloads are provided by allowing the client nodes to subscribe to one or more of the subscription-based content, periodically sending the subscribed to subscriptionbased content to each the respective subscribing client nodes, and charging a fee to providers of the subscription-based content for serving the subscription-based content.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for generating revenue in a peer-to-peer file delivery network, the network including at least one server node and multiple client nodes, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) enabling peer-to-peer file sharing of content by, (i) initiating on one client node a download of a particular content item served from the server node or another client node, and (ii) charging a fee based on a quantity of the content served; and
(b) enabling decentralized downloads of subscription-based content by (i) allowing the client nodes to subscribe to one or more of the subscription-based content, (ii) periodically sending the subscribed to subscription-based content to each the respective subscribing client nodes, and (iii) charging a fee to providers of the subscription-based content for serving the subscription-based content. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12)
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9. A system for generating revenue in a peer-to-peer file delivery network, the network including at least one server node and multiple client nodes, the system comprising:
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means for enabling peer-to-peer file sharing of content whereby one client node initiates a download of a particular content item served from the server node or another client node, and wherein a fee is charged based on a quantity of the content served; and
means for enabling decentralized downloads of subscription-based content that the client nodes subscribe to in order to receive periodic updates, wherein a fee is charged to providers of the subscription-based content for serving the subscription-based content to the client nodes. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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17. A computer-readable medium containing program instructions for generating revenue in a peer-to-peer file delivery network, the network including at least one server node and multiple client nodes, the program instructions for:
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(a) enabling peer-to-peer file sharing of content by, (iii) initiating on one client node a download of a particular content item served from the server node or another client node, and (iv) charging a fee based on a quantity of the content served; and
(b) enabling decentralized downloads of subscription-based content by (i) allowing the client nodes to subscribe to one or more of the subscription-based content, (ii) periodically sending the subscribed to subscription-based content to each the respective subscribing client nodes, and (iii) charging a fee to providers of the subscription-based content for serving the subscription-based content.
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25. A method for providing subscription-based decentralized file downloads to client nodes in a peer-to-peer public network, each of the client nodes affiliated with a user account, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving content files from at least one content provider, the content including free subscription content files, fee-based subscription content files, and marketing content files;
(b) allowing the client nodes to subscribe to one or more of the content files;
(c) periodically delivering the particular content files to the respective clients nodes that subscribed to the content files;
(d) charging the content provider a fee for delivering the content files to the client nodes over the network;
(e) charging the content provider a fee for the marketing content files based on a number of users that access the marketing content files once downloaded; and
(f) charging the user accounts of the client nodes that received fee-based subscription content files.
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26. A method for generating revenue in a peer-to-peer file delivery network, the network including at least one server node and multiple client nodes, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) enabling peer-to-peer file sharing of content by, (i) initiating on one client node a download of a particular content item served from the server node or another client node, and (ii) charging a fee based on a quantity of the content served;
(b) enabling decentralized downloads of subscription-based content by (i) allowing the client nodes to subscribe to one or more of the subscription-based content, (ii) periodically sending the subscribed to subscription-based content to each the respective subscribing client nodes, and (iii) charging a fee to providers of the subscription-based content for serving the subscription-based content;
(c) providing direct marketing by (i) sending marketing content to the client nodes from the server node as well as from other client nodes, and (ii) charging a fee to providers of the marketing content; and
(d) enabling client nodes to become affiliate servers that deliver content to other client nodes, and paying owners of the affiliate servers a percentage of the fee charged for serving the files.
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27. A system for generating revenue in a peer-to-peer file delivery network, the network including at least one server node and multiple client nodes, the method comprising the steps of:
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means for enabling peer-to-peer file sharing of content whereby one client node initiates a download of a particular content item served from the server node or another client node, and wherein a fee is charged based on a quantity of the content served;
means for enabling decentralized downloads of subscription-based content that the client nodes subscribe to in order to receive periodic updates, wherein a fee is charged to providers of the subscription-based content for serving the subscription-based content to the client nodes;
means for providing direct marketing to client nodes such that marketing content is send to the client nodes from the server node as well as from other client nodes, and a fee is charged to providers of the marketing content; and
means for enabling client nodes to become affiliate servers that deliver content to other client nodes, such that owners of the affiliate servers are paid a percentage of the fee charged for serving the files.
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Specification