STREAMING AUDIO PLAYBACK SERVICE AND METHODOLOGY
First Claim
1. A media playback service for providing digital audio files in streaming mode to subscribing consumers in a manner compliant with any and all licenses applicable to audio files downloaded to a server pursuant to such licenses, the method comprising:
- downloading licensed audio files onto at least one server configured to be managed automatically to ensure compliance with the terms of the license(s) under which the audio files were downloaded;
employing a playlist algorithm associated with the server that is configured to monitor and record certain attributes about the digital audio files, the attributes selected based upon the terms of the license(s) that dictate the amount payable for the legal downloading and sharing of such audio content, the attributes including the performing rights organization, the composer of the audio files, and/or the identify of the copyright owner of the audio file; and
tracking the frequency of regeneration of the audio files on the server;
whereby the algorithm constrains the streaming of the audio files so that consumers may influence the music that is streamed to them pursuant to consumer subscriptions, but limits the direct control over the specific audio files streamed to the subscribing consumers.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A service for streaming digital audio files to subscribing consumers is provided in a manner compliant with all applicable licenses. A method of using such service may include downloading licensed audio files onto a server configured to be managed automatically to ensure compliance, employing a playlist algorithm associated with the server that is configured to monitor and record certain attributes about the digital audio files, including the performing rights organization, the composer of the audio files, and/or the identify of the copyright owner of the audio file, and tracking the frequency of regeneration of the audio files on the server. An algorithm may be employed that constrains the streaming of the audio files so that consumers may influence the music that is streamed to them pursuant to consumer subscriptions, but limits the direct control over the specific audio files streamed to the subscribing consumers.
30 Citations
4 Claims
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1. A media playback service for providing digital audio files in streaming mode to subscribing consumers in a manner compliant with any and all licenses applicable to audio files downloaded to a server pursuant to such licenses, the method comprising:
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downloading licensed audio files onto at least one server configured to be managed automatically to ensure compliance with the terms of the license(s) under which the audio files were downloaded; employing a playlist algorithm associated with the server that is configured to monitor and record certain attributes about the digital audio files, the attributes selected based upon the terms of the license(s) that dictate the amount payable for the legal downloading and sharing of such audio content, the attributes including the performing rights organization, the composer of the audio files, and/or the identify of the copyright owner of the audio file; and tracking the frequency of regeneration of the audio files on the server; whereby the algorithm constrains the streaming of the audio files so that consumers may influence the music that is streamed to them pursuant to consumer subscriptions, but limits the direct control over the specific audio files streamed to the subscribing consumers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification