Batch loading and self-registration of digital media files

• US 20060167803A1
• Filed: 12/20/2005
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stragent, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Stragent, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Fanning, Shawn, Mendelson, Jordan, Aydar, Ali
• Granted Patent: US 8,117,130 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/51
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1085 Content sharing, e.g. peer-to-peer [P2P]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 Shopping for digital content

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for batch loading and self-registration of digital media files is provided. The system provides numerous methods of interfacing with a content outlet. The methods further include comparing attributes of content to be downloaded with attributes of content in a media database. The methods also includes providing restrictions based on a result of the comparing. The methods further include monetizing the methods between both retailers and right-holders using the system. Additionally, the method may include providing retail analysis, resolving disputes, and distributing royalty payments to rights-holders of content.

Claims

1. A method of managing an online digital rights management system comprising:

establishing a connection between an authorized rights-holder and an open copyright database data structure;

receiving a batch download of files and associated metadata from the rights-holder;

populating the open copyright database data structure for each file; and

updating the file states.

2. The method of managing an online digital rights management system of claim 1 wherein the metadata includes rules relating to the sale of the file.

3. The method of managing an online digital rights management system of claim 2 wherein the metadata includes a category of the file.

4. The method of managing an online digital rights management system of claim 3 wherein the files of the rights-holder are displayed.

5. The method of managing an online digital rights management system of claim 4 wherein the rights-holder may search the open copyright database data structure for owned files.

6. A method of managing an online digital rights management system comprising:

establishing a connection with an authorized rights-holder client;

receiving a request for a self-registration tool;

providing the rightsholder a self-registration interface;

receiving necessary metadata from the rights-holder through an interactive process;

populating an open copyright database data structure; and

updating a files status.

7. The method of managing an online digital rights management system of claim 6 wherein the rights-holder is an independent record label.

8. The method of managing an online digital rights management system of claim 6 wherein the rights-holder is a record company.

9. The method of managing an online digital rights management system of claim 8 wherein the metadata is received in a batch loading process.

10. The method of managing an online digital rights management system of claim 7 wherein the metadata for a file is received from a manual entry of the metadata.

11. A system for managing an online digital rights management database comprising:

an open copyright database storing file information for a plurality of media files, for each file said file information including file title, hashing information identifying a source of said file, fingerprint information, and a file state; and

a client access server coupled to the network, said client access server managing said open copyright database, wherein said client access server instantiates a self-registration process, wherein the self-registration process allows a rights-holder to enter and update the file information in the open copyright database.

12. The online digital rights management system of claim 11 wherein the self registration process allows the rights-holder to associate use terms with a file.

13. The online digital rights management system of claim 12 wherein the use terms of a file include restrictions on the sale of the file.

14. The online digital rights management system of claim 11 wherein the self registration process allows a rights-holder to associate a file with a rights-holder defined category.

15. The online digital rights management system of claim 14 wherein the rights-holder defined category is the style of music.

16. The online digital rights management system of claim 15 wherein a rights-holder may search the open copyright database for a specific category.

17. The online digital rights management system of claim 11 wherein the self-registration process allows a rights-holder to enter rules associated with a file.

18. The online digital rights management system of claim 17 wherein the rules include countries where the file is unavailable.

19. The online digital rights management system of claim 11 wherein the self-registration process allows a rights-holder to associate the file track with an album.

20. The online digital rights management system of claim 11 wherein the self-registration process provides a display.

21. A method of registering a rights-holder to interact with and manage an online digital rights system comprising:

verifying the identity of a rights-holder;

providing a database of files;

accessing file information for a specific file;

allowing the rights-holder to update file information; and

storing the updated file information.

22. The online digital rights management system of claim 21 wherein verifying the identity of a rights-holder includes providing a login interface.

23. The online digital rights management system of claim 22 wherein the login interface prompts the rights-holder for an email address.

24. The online digital rights management system of claim 23 wherein the login interface prompts the rights-holder for a password.

25. The online digital rights management system of claim 24 wherein a rights-holder is verified if the email address and password are registered within the online digital rights system.

26. A system for managing an online digital rights management system comprising:

an interface for verifying the identity of a rights-holder and allowing the rights-holder access to media files and update file information; and

an open copyright database storing file information for a plurality of media files, for each file said file information including a file title, a file state;

a file category, and ownership rights.

27. The online digital rights management system of claim 26 wherein the interface includes a display.

28. The online digital rights management system of claim 27 wherein the rights-holder may search the database for file information.

29. The online digital rights management system of claim 28 wherein results of the search for file information are displayed.

30. The online digital rights management system of claim 26 wherein ownership rights may be changed by a rights-holder.