Method of Providing a Digital Asset for Distribution

• US 20110302065A1
• Filed: 08/15/2011
• Published: 12/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. (Pendrell Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. (Pendrell Corporation)
• Inventors: Lambert, Edward M., Dunkeld, Bryan
• Granted Patent: US 8,583,556 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources

Abstract

Digital assets are provided for distribution within an electronic network. The digital asset includes digital content that is associated with a digital rights holder. A serial number is provided for (embedded within) the asset; this number uniquely identifies a first introduction of digital asset for distribution within the electronic network. The asset is then posted in a number of locations so that it can be distributed to users. A transaction database is updated to reflect occurrences of different instantiations of the asset.

Claims

1. A method of providing a digital asset for distribution comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing a digital asset for distribution over an electronic network with a computing system, said digital asset including digital content that is associated with a digital rights holder;

(b) providing a serial number for said digital asset with the computing system, said serial number being uniquely identified with a first introduction of digital asset for distribution within said electronic network; and

(c) embedding said serial number within said digital asset with the computing system so as to generate a first instantiation of said digital asset suitable for distribution over said electronic network; and

(d) placing said first instantiation of said digital asset using the computing system into one or more locations accessible by users of said electronic network; and

(e) providing a list of said one or more locations so that said users of said electronic network can locate said first instantiation of said digital asset;

(f) updating a transaction database associated with said digital asset with the computing system to reflect an occurrence of said first instantiation of said digital asset;

(g) updating a digital asset index database using the computing system with administrative information associated with said digital asset, including a list of said one or more locations, terms of use of said digital asset and category information for said digital asset;

wherein users of said electronic network can monitor said digital asset index database before electing to access said first instantiation and/or later instantiations of said digital asset.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said terms of use also include time periods of use.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said serial number is embedded into said first instantiation of said modified version of said digital asset using a steganographic process.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said transfers of said digital asset take place in a peer-to-peer manner over the network in coordination with the computing system and such that a complete tracking history for transfers of said digital asset to users is maintained by the system.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein each transfer of an instantiation of said digital asset is given a unique identification number which is embedded within such instantiation.

6. The method of claim 1, further including a step:

performing accounting functions in connection with said transfers, including crediting of rights holders accounts, crediting of transaction host accounts, and/or debiting of user accounts.

7. The method of claim 1, further including a step:

performing authentication operations on digital assets stored and/or transferred between client systems over the network, said authentication operations including a determination of an embedded serial number of a digital asset and an identification of a last authorized transfer of said digital asset.

8. The method of claim 7 further including a step:

adding authentication numbers to any digital assets that are found on client systems and do not have an authorized transfer record.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein a subsequent unique identification number used for a second instantiation of said digital asset is derived in part from said serial number and embedded in said second instantiation.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein a tracking history for said digital asset, including all transfers over the network, can be derived from said subsequent unique identification number.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some portions of said first instantiation of said digital asset are encrypted and/or contain steganographically processed data.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein distributions of said digital asset over said network between user client systems are not preconditioned on securing authorization for individual copies of said digital asset.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said serial number is embedded into at least said first instantiation of said digital asset in a location within such asset that is specified by an offset generated by a digital asset management computing system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said offset identifies a frame and word count within the digital asset.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said serial number is encoded within least significant bits of successive words within the digital asset so as to not alter user perceptible content.

16. The method of claim 1 further including a step:

updating said transaction database to indicate identities of parties involved in a transfer of said digital asset, and a timestamp for such event.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said digital content further includes advertisements.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein said digital content includes audio and/or video data.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein said digital content includes a right of use product.

20. A method of providing a digital asset for distribution comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing a digital asset for distribution over an electronic network with a computing system, said digital asset including digital content that is associated with a digital rights holder;

wherein said digital content is not encrypted or copy protected;

(b) providing a serial number for said digital asset with the computing system, said serial number being uniquely identified with a first introduction of digital asset for distribution within said electronic network; and

wherein said serial number is adapted to store tracking information for any and all transfers of said digital asset within said electronic network;

(c) embedding said serial number within non-content perceptible areas of said digital asset with the computing system so as to generate a first instantiation of said digital asset suitable for distribution over said electronic network; and

(d) placing said first instantiation of said digital asset using the computing system into one or more locations accessible by users of said electronic network; and

(e) providing a list of said one or more locations so that said users of said electronic network can locate said first instantiation of said digital asset;

(f) updating a transaction database associated with said digital asset with the computing system to reflect an occurrence of said first instantiation of said digital asset;

(g) updating a digital asset index database using the computing system with administrative information associated with said digital asset, including a list of said one or more locations, terms of use of said digital asset and category information for said digital asset;

wherein users of said electronic network can monitor said digital asset index database before electing to access said first instantiation and/or later instantiations of said digital asset;

further wherein said terms of use for said digital asset can be adjusted on a transfer basis and/or on a user basis.