Method and apparatus for legitimate sharing of electronic content
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of distributing electronic content including digital data (metadata)defining or otherwise identifying said content, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) reading the metadata included in a copy of electronic content to identify the content to which it relates;
b) obtaining data relating to the identity of a holder of said copy;
c) determining if said metadata includes licence data (or information identifying such licence data), which licence data relates to the identity of one or more owners or licensees of said content, and if such licence data (or information relating thereto) is determined to be included in said metadata, determining if said holder of said copy is identified therein as an owner or licensee of said content; and
, if not;
d) determining if said holder is an owner or licensee of said content and, if not, receiving payment for said copy of said content such that said holder becomes an owner or licensee of said content; and
e) generating or obtaining new licence data for inclusion in said metadata of said copy of said content, said new licence data identifying said holder as an owner or licensee of said content.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of distributing electronic content including metadata for that content comprises the following: reading the metadata to identify the content; identifying a holder of the copy; determining if the metadata includes licence data and whether the holder of the copy is a licensee; and, if not, receiving payment for that copy of said content so that said holder becomes an owner or licensee of said content. New licence data is then provided for inclusion in the metadata of that copy of the content to identify the holder as a licensee of said content.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of distributing electronic content including digital data (metadata)defining or otherwise identifying said content, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) reading the metadata included in a copy of electronic content to identify the content to which it relates;
b) obtaining data relating to the identity of a holder of said copy;
c) determining if said metadata includes licence data (or information identifying such licence data), which licence data relates to the identity of one or more owners or licensees of said content, and if such licence data (or information relating thereto) is determined to be included in said metadata, determining if said holder of said copy is identified therein as an owner or licensee of said content; and
, if not;
d) determining if said holder is an owner or licensee of said content and, if not, receiving payment for said copy of said content such that said holder becomes an owner or licensee of said content; and
e) generating or obtaining new licence data for inclusion in said metadata of said copy of said content, said new licence data identifying said holder as an owner or licensee of said content. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 27)
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13. Apparatus for distributing electronic content including digital data (metadata) defining or otherwise identifying said content, the apparatus comprising a computing system programmed to:
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a) read the metadata included in a copy of electronic content to identify the content to which it relates;
b) obtain data relating to the identity of a holder of said copy;
c) determine if said metadata includes licence data (or information identifying such licence data), which licence data relates to the identity of one or more owners or licensees of said content, and if such licence data (or information relating thereto) is determined to be included in said metadata to determine if said holder of said copy is identified therein as an owner or licensee of said content; and
, if not, to determine if said holder is an owner or licensee of said content and, if not to receive payment for said copy of said content such that said holder becomes an owner or licensee of said content; and
d) generate or obtain new licence data for inclusion in said metadata of said copy of said content, said new licence data identifying said holder as an owner or licensee of said content. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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28. Apparatus for distributing electronic content including digital data (metadata) defining or otherwise identifying said content, the apparatus comprising a computer system programmed to:
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a) receive or obtain data identifying a piece of content;
b) receive or obtain data relating to the identity of a holder of a copy of said content;
c) obtain access to or store a licence bank comprising details of licences owned by each of a plurality of users, which licence bank can be searched to determine whether or not said holder owns a licence for said content;
d) provide, or direct a user to, a portal, by means of which new licences can be negotiated, agreed or issued as required;
e) update said licence bank in the event that a new licence is issued; and
f) provide details of said new licence for use in generating licence data to be written to the metadata of said copy of said content. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for distributing electronic content including digital data (metadata) defining or otherwise identifying said content, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a licence bank in which is stored details of licences owned by each of a plurality of users;
b) searching said licence bank to determine whether or not a specified user owns a licence for a particular piece of content;
c) providing, or directing a user to, a portal, by means of which new licences can be negotiated, agreed or issued as required;
e) updating said licence bank in the event that a new licence is issued; and
f) providing details of said new licence for use in generating licence data to be written to the metadata of said copy of said content.
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Specification