Methods, systems, and products for providing electronic media

• US 20060122938A1
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hicks, John, Zimler, Randy
• Granted Patent: US 7,734,548 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/59
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/184 Intellectual property management

Abstract

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing electronic media to a customer. One method prompts a customer to license a lifetime right to electronic media. The lifetime right allows the customer to experience the electronic media as often as desired. If the customer agrees to license the lifetime right, then the license is electronically stored on behalf of the customer. The licensed electronic media is communicated to the customer via a communications network.

Claims

1. A method, comprising the steps of:

communicating an electronic media to a customer via a communications network;

after the customer entirely experiences the electronic media then prompting the customer to license a lifetime right to the electronic media, the lifetime right allowing the customer to experience the electronic media as often as desired; and

if the customer agrees to license the lifetime right, then electronically storing the license for the customer.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of storing a list of electronic media to which the customer has licensed lifetime rights.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of prompting the customer to license a limited right to the electronic media, the limited right having a condition that causes the limited right to expire.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of storing a list of electronic media to which the customer has licensed limited rights.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing the customer a menu of electronic media available for license.

6. A method of providing electronic media to a customer, comprising the steps of:

providing the customer a menu of electronic media;

receiving a selection from the customer;

retrieving and communicating the selected electronic media via a communications network;

establishing a counter that increments as the electronic media is communicated to the customer;

establishing a threshold value;

when the counter equals or exceeds the threshold value, then pausing retrieval of the selected electronic media;

prompting the customer to license a lifetime right to the selected electronic media, the lifetime right allowing the customer to experience the selected electronic media as often as desired; and

if the customer agrees to license the lifetime right, then resuming retrieval of the selected electronic media.

7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of providing the customer a list of electronic media to which the customer has licensed lifetime rights.

8. A method according to claim 6, wherein if the customer declines to license the lifetime right, then further comprising the step of prompting the customer to license a limited right to the selected electronic media, the limited right having a condition that causes the limited right to expire.

9. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of providing the customer a list of electronic media to which the customer has licensed limited rights.

10. A method according to claim 6, wherein the step of prompting the customer comprises prompting the customer before the counter equals or exceeds the threshold value.

11. A method according to claim 6, wherein the step of prompting the customer comprises prompting the customer after the counter equals or exceeds the threshold value.

12. A method according to claim 6, wherein the step of prompting the customer comprises prompting the customer while continuing to retrieve and communicate the selected electronic media.

13. A method according to claim 6, wherein the step of prompting the customer comprises prompting the customer after the counter equals or exceeds the threshold value.

14. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of establishing a timer for prompting the customer to license the lifetime right.

15. A method according to claim 6, wherein when the timer expires, then prompting the customer to license the lifetime right.

18. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of initiating a royalty payment for the license.

19. A method according to claim 6, wherein the step of providing the customer a menu of electronic media comprises providing a menu of movie files available for download.

20. A method according to claim 6, wherein the step of providing the customer a menu of electronic media comprises providing a menu of audio files available for download.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)