Method and apparatus for distributing music
First Claim
1. A method of distributing music to terminal devices via a communications network, said method comprising the steps of:
- opening a free music distribution Web site for distributing music data for free and a fee-based music distribution Web site for distributing music data for a fee;
distributing music data for free to a user when a request for the distribution of said music data is received from said user via said free music distribution Web site;
tallying the number of downloads each time said music data is distributed in the distribution step; and
transferring said music data from said free music distribution Web site to said fee-based music distribution Web site based on the result of tallying of the number of downloads.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A music distribution system allows users to freely download music data that has not been put on the market or that has been created by unknown singers or musicians. In this system, which distributes music data to terminal devices via a communications network, a free music distribution Web site for distributing music data for free and a fee-based music distribution Web site for distributing music data for a fee are opened. When a request for distribution of certain music data is received from a user via the free music distribution Web site, the music data is distributed to the user for free, and the number of downloads is tallied each time the music data is distributed. Based on the result of tallying of the number of downloads, it is determined whether or not the music data should be transferred to the fee-based music distribution Web site, and the music data that has been determined to require transfer is transferred from the free music distribution Web site to the fee-based music distribution Web site.
45 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of distributing music to terminal devices via a communications network, said method comprising the steps of:
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opening a free music distribution Web site for distributing music data for free and a fee-based music distribution Web site for distributing music data for a fee;
distributing music data for free to a user when a request for the distribution of said music data is received from said user via said free music distribution Web site;
tallying the number of downloads each time said music data is distributed in the distribution step; and
transferring said music data from said free music distribution Web site to said fee-based music distribution Web site based on the result of tallying of the number of downloads. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer-readable program for causing a computer to carry out the method of distributing music to terminal devices via a communications network, said method comprising the steps of:
- opening a free music distribution Web site for distributing music data for free and a fee-based music distribution Web site for distributing music data for a fee;
distributing music data for free to a user when a request for the distribution of said music data is received from said user via said free music distribution Web site, tallying the number of downloads each time said music data is distributed in the distribution step; and
transferring said music data from said free music distribution Web site to said fee-based music distribution Web site based on the result of tallying of the number of downloads.
- opening a free music distribution Web site for distributing music data for free and a fee-based music distribution Web site for distributing music data for a fee;
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11. A music distribution apparatus comprising:
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a Web site management unit for managing a free music distribution Web site for distributing music data for free and a fee-based music distribution Web site for distributing music data for a fee;
a free music data distribution processing unit for distributing music data for free in accordance with a request from a user;
a download number tallying processing unit for tallying the number of downloads for each item of music data distributed for free; and
a transfer processing unit for transferring music data from said free music distribution Web site to said fee-based music distribution Web site based on the result of tallying of the number of downloads. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification