METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC FILE USE AND MANAGEMENT

• US 20090307289A1
• 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 8,280,815 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 copy of each of a plurality of files, each copy associated with a first party having an ownership right in each stored copy of the files; and

providing remote playback of any copy of the files to the first party without violating copyrights of copyright owners of the files.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing information regarding each stored copy of the files to the first party in the form of a play list.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising providing a device adapted to receive the play list and to allow the first party to select an file from among the plurality of files for remote playback.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising providing a device adapted to receive the play list and to allow the first party to share the play list with a second party.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising providing a device adapted to receive the play list and to allow the first party to manage the play list wherein manage the play list includes at least one of:

order the play list for play back;

sub-divide the play list;

annotate the play list or sub-divided play lists;

annotate file information within the play list; and

transmit the play list.

6. A method comprising:

storing a number of copies of a file, each copy associated with a different party, each party having an ownership right in at least one of the stored copies of the file; and

providing concurrent remote playback of the copies of the files to the parties without violating copyrights of copyright owners of the files.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein providing remote playback of the copies is limited to a maximum number of concurrent instances of providing remote playback based upon the number of copies stored;

and

wherein playback to a party is delayed until the concurrent instances of providing remote playback is less than the maximum number.

8. A method comprising:

storing a number of copies of a file, the copies associated with an organization, the organization having an ownership right in the copies;

admitting a plurality of parties as members of the organization; and

providing concurrent remote playback of the copies of the files to the members without violating copyrights of copyright owners of the files.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein providing remote playback of the copies is limited to a maximum number of concurrent instances of providing remote playback based upon the number of copies stored.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the number of members exceeds the number of copies, and

wherein providing concurrent remote playback includes allowing the members to playback the copies such that at any given instant a number of copies being played is less than or equal to the number of copies.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the number of members exceeds the number of copies;

and

wherein providing concurrent remote playback includes allowing the members to playback the copies such that at any given instant a number of copies being played may be greater than the number of copies; and

wherein different portions of the copies are being played such that a number of same portions being played simultaneously is less than or equal to the number of copies.

12. A method comprising:

storing a copy of a file associated with a first party having an ownership right in the copy of the file, the ownership right being subject to a restriction; and

providing remote playback of the copy of the file to the first party without violating a copyright of a copyright owner of the file and without violating the restriction.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the restriction defines a limit to a number of times the copy of the file may be played back.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the restriction defines a time period during which the copy of file may be played back.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the restriction defines a device upon which the copy of file may be played back.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the restriction defines conditions that must be satisfied by the first party in order to be permitted to playback the copy of file.