File sharing methods and systems
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A file sharing method comprising receiving a request from a first user for at least one file;
- determining if said file is an authorized file from an authorized licensor;
searching for a second user possessing a copy of said file;
allowing said first user to download said file from a second user possessing a copy of said file if said file is authorized and a second user possessing a copy of said file is located;
processing a debit of an account corresponding to said first user;
processing a credit of an account corresponding to said second user, wherein said credit is redeemable for compensation, but not redeemable for files; and
processing a license fee to said authorized licensor.
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods and systems for legally sharing files in a peer-to-peer network on the internet in a manner that compensates the content owners, artists, authors and/or programmers, and the like. Methods of the present invention may include incentive programs, which allow users to earn credits that may be redeemable for later file downloads and/or for merchandise at an online store or other compensation.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A file sharing method comprising
receiving a request from a first user for at least one file; -
determining if said file is an authorized file from an authorized licensor;
searching for a second user possessing a copy of said file;
allowing said first user to download said file from a second user possessing a copy of said file if said file is authorized and a second user possessing a copy of said file is located;
processing a debit of an account corresponding to said first user;
processing a credit of an account corresponding to said second user, wherein said credit is redeemable for compensation, but not redeemable for files; and
processing a license fee to said authorized licensor. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A file sharing method comprising
receiving a request from a first user for at least one file; -
determining if said file is an authorized file from an authorized licensor;
searching for a second user possessing a copy of said file;
allowing said first user to download said file if said file is authorized and said second user possessing a copy of said file is located;
charging said first user a fee for said file;
processing a credit of an account corresponding to said second user; and
processing a license fee to said authorized licensor. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A method comprising
receiving a request from a first user for at least one file; -
determining if said file is an authorized file from an authorized licensor;
searching for a second user possessing a copy of said file;
determining if the downloading is a direct transaction or an indirect transaction;
if the transaction is a direct transaction, charging said first user a fee for downloading said file, and compensating said second user with credit that may be redeemed for files or merchandise;
if the transaction is an indirect transaction, determining whether said first user has accumulated enough file credits to redeem said file, and if said first user has accumulated enough file credits, authorizing a download of said file and debiting an account associated with said first user for redeemed file credits, and compensating said second user with credit that may be redeemed for compensation but not for files;
allowing said first user to download said file; and
compensating the authorized licensor. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method comprising
allowing a guest user to access a predetermined subset of files, which access is authorized by a registered user of a peer-to-peer network; -
allowing a guest user to preview one or more file in the subset of files; and
allowing a guest user to download one or more files in the subset of files. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A system comprising
a server coupled to a database; -
wherein said database includes information regarding available files from one or more members of a peer-to-peer network, wherein said information is updated after a transaction in which one or more of said available files is exchanged between one or more members of the peer-to-peer network;
wherein the server is adapted to monitor exchanges between the members of the network, and adapted to control said exchanges such that only files licensed to the peer-to-peer service provider may be exchanged between end users; and
wherein the server includes software capable of monitoring for and detecting malicious files. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A file sharing method comprising
receiving a request from a first user for at least one file; -
determining if said file is an authorized file from an authorized licensor;
searching for a second user possessing a copy of said file;
requiring at least one of said first user and said second user to have updated virus protection software; and
allowing said first user to download the file.
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30. A file sharing method comprising
receiving a request from a first user for at least one file; -
determining if the file is an authorized file from an authorized licensor;
searching for a second user possessing a copy of the file;
allowing the first user to download the file from a second user if the file is authorized; and
processing a license fee to said authorized licensor;
wherein the method includes no transaction fees.
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Specification