Method and system for providing a payment incentive for distributing digital files over a network
First Claim
1. A method for distributing digital content files over a network, the method comprising the steps:
- receiving by a server of a file agent at least one digital content file from a content provider;
selecting a plurality of user threshold levels, the user threshold levels being indicative of the number of times the at least one digital file is downloaded by an end user;
presenting the at least one digital content file for purchase on a website of the server;
downloading the at least one digital content file to at least one end user for a fixed transaction amount;
distributing a first distribution amount of the fixed transaction amount to the content provider; and
distributing a second distribution amount of the fixed transaction amount to the at least one end user at a time of purchase by the at least one end user;
determining the number of times the at least one digital content file has been purchased and downloaded; and
upon reaching each of the plurality of user threshold levels, distributing a subsequent distribution amount to an end user of each previous user threshold level, the subsequent distribution amount being in addition to a distribution amount received for each of the previous user threshold levels,wherein determining the subsequent distribution amount includes;
selecting a user distribution percentage;
anddetermining the subsequent distribution amount by the following formula;
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for providing a payment incentive for distributing digital files over a network are provided. The method and system allow a publisher, distributor(s), and/or users to receive a payment incentive for downloading digital files on the Internet. The present disclosure creates a method and system where every party along the distribution chain will have an incentive for further distribution of the digital content file. The method includes the steps receiving by a server of a file agent at least one digital content file from a content provider; presenting the at least one digital content file for purchase; downloading the at least one digital content file to at least one user for a transaction amount; distributing a first distribution amount of the transaction amount to the content provider; and distributing a second distribution amount of the transaction amount to the at least one user.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for distributing digital content files over a network, the method comprising the steps:
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receiving by a server of a file agent at least one digital content file from a content provider; selecting a plurality of user threshold levels, the user threshold levels being indicative of the number of times the at least one digital file is downloaded by an end user; presenting the at least one digital content file for purchase on a website of the server; downloading the at least one digital content file to at least one end user for a fixed transaction amount; distributing a first distribution amount of the fixed transaction amount to the content provider; and distributing a second distribution amount of the fixed transaction amount to the at least one end user at a time of purchase by the at least one end user; determining the number of times the at least one digital content file has been purchased and downloaded; and upon reaching each of the plurality of user threshold levels, distributing a subsequent distribution amount to an end user of each previous user threshold level, the subsequent distribution amount being in addition to a distribution amount received for each of the previous user threshold levels, wherein determining the subsequent distribution amount includes; selecting a user distribution percentage; and determining the subsequent distribution amount by the following formula; - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A server for distributing digital content files over a network comprising:
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a communication device for receiving at least one digital content file from a content provider; and a processor which selects a plurality of user threshold levels, the user threshold levels being indicative of the number of times the at least one digital file is downloaded by an end user, presents the at least one digital content file for purchase on a website of the server, downloads the at least one digital content file via the communication device to at least one end user for a fixed transaction amount, distributes a first distribution amount of the fixed transaction amount to the content provider, and distributes a second distribution amount of the fixed transaction amount to the at least one end user at a time of purchase by the at least one end user, wherein the processor determines the number of times the at least one digital content file has been purchased and downloaded and, upon reaching each of the plurality of user threshold levels, distributes a subsequent distribution amount to an end user of each previous user threshold level, the subsequent distribution amount being in addition to a distribution amount received for each of the previous user threshold levels, wherein the processor selects a user distribution percentage, and determines the subsequent distribution amount by the following formula; - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for distributing digital content files over a network, the method comprising the steps:
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providing a web site for distributing digital content files hosted by at least one server in communication with the network; receiving by the at least one server at least one digital content file from a content provider; selecting a plurality of user threshold levels indicative of a number of times the at least one digital content file is downloaded; presenting the at least one digital content file on the web site for purchase; downloading the at least one digital content file to at least one end user for a fixed transaction amount; determining a number of times the at least one digital content file has been purchased and downloaded; distributing a first distribution amount of the fixed transaction amount to the content provider; distributing a second distribution amount of the fixed transaction amount to the at least one end user at a time of purchase by the at least one end user, wherein the distributing a second distribution amount includes payment by checks, credits to bank accounts, wire transfer, issuance of cash redemption cards or payment by a payment agent of the at least one server; and distributing a third distribution amount of the fixed transaction amount to the at least one server; wherein upon reaching each of the plurality of user threshold levels, distributing a subsequent distribution amount to an end user of each previous user threshold level, the subsequent distribution amount being in addition to a distribution amount received for each of the previous user threshold levels, wherein determining the subsequent distribution amount includes; selecting a user distribution percentage; selecting a plurality of user threshold levels, the user threshold levels being indicative of the number of times the at least one digital file is downloaded; and determining the subsequent distribution amount by the following formula;
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Specification