System and method for controlled viral distribution of digital content in a social network
First Claim
1. A method for distributing digital content among one or more levels within a dynamically created social network, comprising the following steps:
- receiving, by a first computer, a reference identifying digital content;
receiving, by the first computer, one or more distribution parameters that establish limitations on how the digital content is to be distributed to one or more content recipients based on a level that corresponds to the one or more content recipients, wherein the one or more distribution parameters include a maximum level number identifying a maximum level allowed between a content producer and a respective content recipient, wherein each content recipient of the digital content has a corresponding level of a plurality of levels determined based on a number of content recipients of the digital content in a distribution path of the digital content from the content producer to the respective content recipient, and also at least one alteration definition associated with at least one of the plurality of levels that defines a required alteration of the digital content prior to permitting a content recipient associated with the at least one of the plurality of levels to perceive the digital content;
creating, by the first computer, a distribution package comprising the digital content, the maximum level number, and the at least one alteration definition; and
sending, by the first computer, the distribution package to at least one second computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A controlled content distribution system (CCDS) employs a peer-level application into which a content producer can import digital content (e.g., video, audio, graphic, image, text, code files, etc.) The content producer identifies distribution parameters including an initial distribution list and a level limit representing the maximum number of levels, or degrees of separation for allowed distribution in a FOAF social network. Distribution parameters also include an alteration definition for one or more allowable levels in the network. Alteration definitions may identify a file degradation characteristic, file augmentation, or deletion parameter for altering the digital content from its original form. Alteration definitions often vary at each level. A distribution package is created by the CCDS and includes the digital content, a configuration data file, a key ID and a license key seed. The distribution package is processed at a FOAF license server before being sent to additional content recipients.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for distributing digital content among one or more levels within a dynamically created social network, comprising the following steps:
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receiving, by a first computer, a reference identifying digital content; receiving, by the first computer, one or more distribution parameters that establish limitations on how the digital content is to be distributed to one or more content recipients based on a level that corresponds to the one or more content recipients, wherein the one or more distribution parameters include a maximum level number identifying a maximum level allowed between a content producer and a respective content recipient, wherein each content recipient of the digital content has a corresponding level of a plurality of levels determined based on a number of content recipients of the digital content in a distribution path of the digital content from the content producer to the respective content recipient, and also at least one alteration definition associated with at least one of the plurality of levels that defines a required alteration of the digital content prior to permitting a content recipient associated with the at least one of the plurality of levels to perceive the digital content; creating, by the first computer, a distribution package comprising the digital content, the maximum level number, and the at least one alteration definition; and sending, by the first computer, the distribution package to at least one second computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable medium embodying program instructions for directing a computing device to:
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import, by the computing device, digital content for controlled distribution from a content producer to one or more levels of content recipients within a dynamically created social network; receive, by the computing device, input from the content producer, wherein the input corresponds to one or more distribution parameters that establish limitations on how the digital content is to be distributed to one or more content recipients based on a level that corresponds to the one or more content recipients, wherein the one or more distribution parameters include a maximum level number identifying a maximum level allowed between the content producer and a respective content recipient, wherein each content recipient of the digital content has a corresponding level of a plurality of levels determined based on a number of content recipients of the digital content in a distribution path of the digital content from the content producer to the respective content recipient, and also at least one alteration definition associated with at least one of the plurality of levels that defines a required alteration of the digital content prior to permitting a content recipient associated with the at least one of the plurality of levels to perceive the digital content; create, by the computing device, a distribution package comprising the digital content, the maximum level number, and the at least one alteration definition; and send, by the computing device, the distribution package to at least one second computing device. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification