METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC FILE USE AND MANAGEMENT

• US 20090307062A1
• Filed: 08/14/2009
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CFPH LLC (Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P.)
• Original Assignee: CFPH LLC (Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P.)
• Inventors: Alderucci, Dean P., Lutnick, Howard
• Granted Patent: US 8,359,272 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/275 Synchronous replication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/16 Program or content traceability, e.g. by watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/184 Intellectual property management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating online storage of files (e.g., audio tracks, video, etc.) for playback/access or sale/exchange by the owners of the files without violating copyrights that copyright holders have in the files. For example, by providing a playback service that does not store additional versions of an audio file when the file is transmitted to, and immediately played on, a user device without buffering, the present invention avoids violating copyright laws by not making copies of the file. Numerous other aspects are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

storing a first copy of a file associated with a first party having an ownership right in the first copy of the file, the file being a copyrightable expression; and

providing playback of the first copy of the file on a device associated with the first party without making a second copy of the file.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein providing playback includes providing playback of the file in response to a request without violating a copyright of a copyright owner of the file.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein providing playback includes streaming the file to the device associated with the first party,

wherein streaming includes transmitting the file at a rate suitable for immediate playback on the device with minimal buffering in the device;

and

wherein the device is does not store any portion of the file for any substantial amount of time.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein providing playback includes transmitting the file using a protocol wherein only an insubstantial portion of the file is stored at any given time.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein an insubstantial portion of the file includes a portion of the file having a length such that the portion is not recognizable via direct human perception as being uniquely part of the file.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein providing playback includes transmitting at least a portion of the file using a voice over internet protocol (VOIP).

7. The method of claim 1 wherein providing playback includes transmitting the file to the device and wherein the device is adapted to play the file without storing the file.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein providing playback includes transmitting the file to the device and wherein the device is adapted to play the file for the first party without buffering a substantial portion of the file at any given time, and

wherein playing the file occurs in response to a request from the first party.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein providing playback includes transmitting an encrypted version of the file to the device and wherein the device is adapted to decrypt and play the file for the first party without buffering a substantial portion of the file at any given time.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein providing playback includes transmitting the file to only one or more devices exclusively associated with the first party.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein providing playback includes transmitting the file to a device and wherein the device includes a secure perimeter adapted to prevent access to an electronic version of the received file.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising charging a fee for maintaining the stored copy of the file.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the fee includes at least one of:

contributing the copy of the file;

committing to sell the copy of the file;

committing to purchase playback service;

committing to purchase play list management service; and

committing to purchase back up service.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising charging a fee for services, the services including providing playback of stored copies of files.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the fee includes at least one of:

contributing the copy of the file;

committing to sell the copy of the file;

committing to purchase storage service;

committing to purchase play list management service; and

committing to purchase back up service.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing information regarding playback of the copy of the file.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising compiling the stored information and transmitting the compilation to a marketing server.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

aggregating a plurality of compilations of stored information each from a different party, each party individually having played back stored copies of files; and

determining a value of an file based on the aggregated compilations.

19. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

aggregating a plurality of compilations of stored information each from a different party, each party individually having played back stored copies of audio files; and

selling data based on the aggregated compilations of stored information.