Method and System for Distributing Licensed Multimedia Files
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A distribution method and apparatus for distributing multimedia files from service providers (20) to subscribers (30) is described herein. A multimedia communication system (10) includes multiple service providers (20). Each service provider (20) includes a media server (22) and promotion server (26), where the promotion servers (26) of different service providers (20) inter-connect via a resale gateway(40). A promotion server (26) in a first service provider (20) monitors the inventory of multimedia files stored in the corresponding media server (22), identifies the multimedia files having at least one use requirement that satisfies a predetermined criteria, and promotes the identified multimedia files. The promotion server (26) may promote the identified multimedia files to subscribers (30A) of the first service provider(20A) using a weight-based approach. Alternatively or additionally, the promotion server (26) may promote the identified multimedia files to other service providers (20B) by offering the identified multimedia files to other service providers (20B) in the communication system (10) via the resale gateway (40).
46 Citations
50 Claims
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1-25. -25. (canceled)
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26. A method implemented by a promotion server of a first service provider for distributing licensed multimedia files from that service provider, the method comprising:
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monitoring an inventory of multimedia files available from the first service provider; identifying at least one multimedia file within the inventory having at least one contractual use requirement that satisfies a predetermined criteria; and promoting the identified multimedia files. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A communication system for distributing licensed multimedia files, the communication system comprising:
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a plurality of service providers, each service provider comprising; a media server configured to store licensed multimedia files; a promotion server configured to; monitor an inventory of the multimedia files stored in the media server; identify multimedia files within the inventory having at least one contractual use requirement that satisfies a predetermined criteria; and promote the identified multimedia files; and a resale gateway configured to interconnect the promotion servers in said plurality of service providers. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification