Registration and monitoring system
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring uses of graphic works, the method comprising the steps of:
- storing a digital representation of a work in a computer database;
associating data entries with the stored representation, the data entries indicating at least the owner of rights in the work and details of any licensed users of the work;
obtaining a comparison digital representation and information regarding the user of the comparison representation from a remote host computer;
comparing the stored representation with the comparison representation, to determine the level of similarity between the representations;
determining whether the level of similarity exceeds a predetermined threshold;
if the level of similarity does exceed the threshold, determining whether the user of the comparison representation is a licensed user of the stored representation; and
alerting the owner of rights in the stored representation if the user of the comparison representation is not licensed.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system are provided whereby rights in graphic works such as digital photographs and the like may be registered, and potential infringements of those rights monitored. The method includes storing representations of the works in a computer database together with details of any licensed users of the work, obtaining comparison representations from the internet or other computer network, and comparing the two representations to determine whether a threshold of similarity has been met. If the representations are determined to be similar or identical, the identity of the user of the comparison representation is determined and compared with identity of licensed users. In the event that the user is unlicensed, appropriate action such as alerting the rights owner may be taken.
The database may also be used for displaying a portfolio of a rights owner'"'"'s works, or for granting licences to use registered works.
98 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring uses of graphic works, the method comprising the steps of:
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storing a digital representation of a work in a computer database;
associating data entries with the stored representation, the data entries indicating at least the owner of rights in the work and details of any licensed users of the work;
obtaining a comparison digital representation and information regarding the user of the comparison representation from a remote host computer;
comparing the stored representation with the comparison representation, to determine the level of similarity between the representations;
determining whether the level of similarity exceeds a predetermined threshold;
if the level of similarity does exceed the threshold, determining whether the user of the comparison representation is a licensed user of the stored representation; and
alerting the owner of rights in the stored representation if the user of the comparison representation is not licensed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of monitoring uses of graphic works, the method comprising the steps of:
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retrieving a stored digital representation of a work from a computer database, together with information regarding at least the owner of rights in the work and details of any licensed users of the work;
obtaining a comparison digital representation and information regarding the user of the comparison representation from a computer database;
comparing the stored representation with the comparison representation, to determine the level of similarity between the representations;
determining whether the level of similarity exceeds a predetermined threshold;
if the level of similarity does exceed the threshold, determining whether the user of the comparison representation is a licensed user of the stored representation; and
alerting the owner of rights in the stored representation if the user of the comparison representation is not licensed.
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19. A method of monitoring uses of graphic works, the method comprising the steps of:
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storing a digital representation of a work in a computer database;
associating data entries with the stored representation, the data entries indicating at least the owner of rights in the work;
obtaining a comparison digital representation from a remote host computer;
comparing the stored representation with the comparison representation, to determine the level of similarity between the representations;
determining whether the level of similarity exceeds a predetermined threshold;
if the level of similarity does exceed the threshold, alerting the owner of rights in the stored representation of the comparison representation.
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20. A method of licensing uses of graphic works, the method comprising the steps of:
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storing a digital representation of the work in a computer database;
associating data entries with the stored representation, the data entries indicating at least the owner of rights in the work and details of any licensed users of the work;
allowing third parties to view the stored representation;
making an agreement with a third party to permit certain uses of the representation in return for payment; and
updating the data entries associated with the representation to include an indication of the identity of the third party. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system for monitoring uses of graphic works, the system comprising:
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a computer database for storing digital representations of graphic works, together with database entries associated with each representation, the database entries indicating at least the owner of rights in the work and details of any licensed users of the work;
data communications means for communicating with and retrieving data including comparison representations and users of such representations from a remote host computer; and
data processing means for retrieving representations from the computer database and for receiving communications from the data communications means;
for comparing representations to determine their level of similarity;
for determining whether a user of a comparison representation is a licensed user of a stored representation; and
for alerting an owner of rights if a user of a comparison representation is not licensed. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification