System, method and article of manufacture for an internet based distribution architecture

• US 20030120557A1
• Filed: 09/09/2002
• Published: 06/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ali Piyarali, Damian P. Evans, Pekka T. Huttunen
• Original Assignee: Ali Piyarali, Damian P. Evans, Pekka T. Huttunen
• Inventors: Evans, Damian P., Piyarali, Ali, Huttunen, Pekka T.
• Application Number:
  US10/237,323
• Publication Number:
  US 20030120557A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2135 Metering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A system, method, and article of manufacture are provided for electronically distributing software over a network. First, a user interface is provided for facilitating sale of the software. Thereafter, the software is advertised on the user interface. The software may be downloaded and further sold by receiving payment in exchange for the software via the user interface. Support for the software via the user interface is provided. Further, royalties are allocated based on the sale of the software.

Claims

1. A method for electronically distributing software over a network comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a piece of software;

(b) providing a user interface for facilitating sale of the software;

(c) advertising the software on the user interface;

(d) downloading the software;

(e) receiving payment in exchange for the software via the user interface;

(f) affording support for the software via the user interface; and

(g) allocating royalties based on the sale of the software.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the downloaded software is encrypted and further comprising the step of decrypting the encrypted software upon receipt of the payment.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the step of transmitting an end user license agreement to the user upon receipt of the payment.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the step of sending a proof-of-purchase to the user upon receipt of the payment.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the network is selected from the group of networks consisting of a LAN, a WAN, and an TP-based network.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the network includes a telephonic hard-line.

7. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for electronically distributing software over a network comprising:

(a) a code segment that provides a user interface for facilitating sale of the software;

(b) a code segment that advertises the software on the user interface;

(c) a code segment that downloads the software;

(d) a code segment that receives payment in exchange for the software via the user interface;

(e) a code segment that affords support for the software via the user interface; and

(f) a code segment that allocates royalties based on the sale of the software.

8. The computer program as set forth in claim 7, wherein the downloaded software is encrypted and further comprising a code segment that decrypts the encrypted software upon receipt of the payment.

9. The computer program as set forth in claim 7, and further comprising a code segment that transmits an end user license agreement to the user upon receipt of the payment.

10. The computer program as set forth in claim 7, and further comprising a code segment that sends a proof-of-purchase to the user upon receipt of the payment.

11. The computer program as set forth in claim 7, wherein the network is selected from the group of networks consisting of a LAN, a WAN, and an IP-based network.

12. The computer program as set forth in claim 7, wherein the network includes a telephonic hard-line.

13. A system for electronically distributing software over a network comprising:

(a) logic that provides a user interface for facilitating sale of the software;

(b) logic that advertises the software on the user interface;

(c) logic that downloads the software;

(d) logic that receives payment in exchange for the software via the user interface;

(e) logic that affords support for the software via the user interface; and

(f) logic that allocates royalties based on the sale of the software.

14. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the downloaded software is encrypted and further comprising logic that decrypts the encrypted software upon receipt of the payment.

15. The system as set forth in claim 13, and further comprising logic that transmits an end user license agreement to the user upon receipt of the payment.

16. The system as set forth in claim 13, and further comprising logic that sends a proof-of-purchase to the user upon receipt of the payment.

17. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the network is selected from the group of networks consisting of a LAN, a WAN, and an IP-based network.

18. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the network includes a telephonic hard-line.