Virtual DVD library
First Claim
1. A method for distributing media content comprising, in combination, the steps of:
- storing a collection of media content items in one or more digital storage devices controlled by a content provider and coupled to a specific media presentation device capable of rendering said content items in a form perceptible to a human user, storing content metadata describing each of said content items, storing user data describing said user and associating said user with one or more of said media content items, presenting a catalog to said user by means of said presentation device, said catalog comprising a listing a subset of said content items that are available for purchase by said subscriber from a content provider, accepting a selection request from said user identifying a particular media content item in said subset that said user seeks to purchase, and creating and recording a binding sale contract between said user and said content provider which conveys to said user the right to present said particular media content item in perpetuity and obligates said content provider to provide said user with substantially continuous access to said particular media content item as stored in said one or more digital storage devices controlled by said content provider.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for distributing media content using a video on demand (VOD) system or the like in which a collection of media content items, such as full length movies, is stored in one or more digital storage devices controlled by a content provider and coupled to a specific media presentation device such as a subscriber television set. VOD subscribers select desired content from a catalog of purchasable media assets, creating a sale contract which gives the user the right to present each purchased media content item in perpetuity and obligates said content provider to provide said user with substantially continuous access to said particular media content item as stored in said one or more digital storage devices controlled by said content provider.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for distributing media content comprising, in combination, the steps of:
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storing a collection of media content items in one or more digital storage devices controlled by a content provider and coupled to a specific media presentation device capable of rendering said content items in a form perceptible to a human user, storing content metadata describing each of said content items, storing user data describing said user and associating said user with one or more of said media content items, presenting a catalog to said user by means of said presentation device, said catalog comprising a listing a subset of said content items that are available for purchase by said subscriber from a content provider, accepting a selection request from said user identifying a particular media content item in said subset that said user seeks to purchase, and creating and recording a binding sale contract between said user and said content provider which conveys to said user the right to present said particular media content item in perpetuity and obligates said content provider to provide said user with substantially continuous access to said particular media content item as stored in said one or more digital storage devices controlled by said content provider. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification