Method and apparatus for digital media distribution

• US 20050097006A1
• Filed: 10/30/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: George Nyako
• Original Assignee: George Nyako
• Inventors: Nyako, George
• Application Number:
  US10/978,169
• Publication Number:
  US 20050097006A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.44
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 Shopping for digital content
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0619 Neutral agent
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for commerce, e.g. marketing, shopping, billing, auctions or e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25435 involving characteristics of content or additional data, e.g. video resolution or the amount of advertising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Methods and systems for distributing digital media. In one implementation, the system includes a distributor to store digital media on a digital medium at a first site, the digital media having been previously generated by a content generator; a first end user to purchase the digital media from the distributor, and download the digital media from the first site onto a digital medium at a second site; and a second end user to purchase the digital media from the first end user, and download the digital media from the second site onto a digital medium at a third site, wherein the distributor provides a credit to the first end user for the purchase of the digital media by the second end user. In general an arbitrary mth end user to purchase the digital media from another arbitrary nth end user, and obtain the digital media by any means from the nth end user'"'"'s site or any site affiliated with the nth end user, and wherein the distributor provides a credit to the nth end user or any affiliated end users for the purchase of the digital media by the mth end user.

Claims

1. A digital media distribution system, comprising:

a distributor to store digital media on a digital medium at a first site, the digital media having been previously generated by a content generator;

a first end user to purchase the digital media from the distributor, and download the digital media from the first site onto a digital medium at a second site; and

a second end user to purchase the digital media from the first end user, and download the digital media from the second site onto a digital medium at a third site,

wherein the distributor provides a credit to the first end user for the purchase of the digital media by the second end user.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of second end users to purchase the digital media from the first end user, and wherein the distributor provides a commission to the first end user for each purchase of the digital media by the plurality of second end users.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a third end user to purchase the digital media from the second end user, and download the digital media from the third site onto a digital medium at a fourth site, and wherein the distributor provides a credit to the first end user and the second end user for the purchase of the digital media by the third end user.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a third end user to purchase the digital media from the second end user, and download the digital media from the third site onto a digital medium at a fourth site, and wherein the distributor provides a credit to only the second end user for the purchase of the digital media by the third end user.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an arbitrary mth end user to purchase the digital media from another arbitrary nth end user, and obtain the digital media by any means from the nth end user'"'"'s site or any site affiliated with the nth end user, and wherein the distributor provides a credit to the nth end user or any affiliated end users for the purchase of the digital media by the mth end user.