System and method for unique digital asset identification and transaction management
First Claim
1. A system for exchanging digital assets over a network, comprising:
- (a) a first computer coupled to the network, said first computer storing a digital asset which includes both digital content and a first unique identifier associated with a first instantiation of said digital asset; and
(b) said first computer being adapted to set up a customer account and an authorization to play said digital asset on a second computer coupled to the network; and
(c) a first software routine executing on said first computer and/or said second computer, said first software routine being adapted to coordinate transfer of said digital asset to said second computer;
wherein a second instantiation of said digital asset is created for said transfer to said second computer, said second instantiation including a second unique identifier including customer information associated with a customer for said digital asset;
further wherein said digital asset has no copy protection and can be transferred from said second computer to a third computer by said customer without requiring an additional authorization from said first computer.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for tracking of digital assets within a system through the use of digital serial numbers. Systems equipped with the present invention can uniquely identify copies of assets within it. Assets that originate within the system can be uniquely identified even outside the system. Their transaction history within the system can be traced by looking up the transaction history associated with an assets'"'"' serial number. The serial number applied to an asset is unique to each transaction and applied at the time a copy is made. Database entries are created that link each unique serial number to aspects of the transaction. Each serial number references details about a particular transaction such as parties involved, date and time of copy, ownership, terms of use, and payment terms. Using the present invention any copy of an asset within the system can be copied to another part of the system as if it were the original and with the accompanying terms and conditions in effect for that original at the time of transfer. The serial number does not noticeably interfere with the intended usage of the asset. Serial numbers can be applied to any asset media type or format.
80 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A system for exchanging digital assets over a network, comprising:
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(a) a first computer coupled to the network, said first computer storing a digital asset which includes both digital content and a first unique identifier associated with a first instantiation of said digital asset; and (b) said first computer being adapted to set up a customer account and an authorization to play said digital asset on a second computer coupled to the network; and (c) a first software routine executing on said first computer and/or said second computer, said first software routine being adapted to coordinate transfer of said digital asset to said second computer; wherein a second instantiation of said digital asset is created for said transfer to said second computer, said second instantiation including a second unique identifier including customer information associated with a customer for said digital asset; further wherein said digital asset has no copy protection and can be transferred from said second computer to a third computer by said customer without requiring an additional authorization from said first computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 40, 41, 42)
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17. A method of exchanging digital assets over a network, comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing a digital asset on a first computer coupled to the network, which digital asset includes both digital content and a first unique identifier associated with a first instantiation of said digital asset; and (b) setting up a customer account with said first computer including an authorization to play said digital asset on a second computer coupled to said first computer over the network; and (c) creating a second instantiation of said digital asset, including a second unique identifier; wherein said second unique identifier includes customer information associated with a customer for said digital asset; (d) storing said second instantation of said digital asset at said second computer; wherein said digital asset has no copy protection and can be transferred from said second computer to a third computer by said customer without requiring an additional authorization from said first computer. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of exchanging digital assets over a network, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a first computing system coupled to the network; (b) storing a digital asset in one or more storage systems accessible to said first computing system, which digital asset includes both digital content and a first unique identifier associated with a first instantiation of said digital asset; and (c) providing a second computing system which is coupled to the network and implements a digital asset management system which stores transaction information concerning said digital asset; (d) selectively coupling said first computing system to a third computing system in response to a request made for said digital asset by a routine executing on behalf of said third computing system; and (e) processing said request at said second computing system to generate an authorization for a transfer of said digital content of said digital asset; (f) determining which one or more of said one or more storage systems should be used to transfer said digital content for said digital asset; (g) creating a second instantiation of said digital asset for said request, including a second unique identifier;
wherein said second unique identifier includes customer information associated with a customer for said digital asset;(h) transferring said second instantiation of said digital asset, including said second unique identifier, to said third computing system from one or more of said one or more storage systems based on said authorization; updating said transaction information at said second computing system based on said transfer; wherein each transfer of said digital asset between different computing systems is associated with a unique identifier embedded within the digital asset to facilitate tracking across the network, such that different versions of the digital asset are created for said transfers, and each version carries a complete transaction record of transfers of prior versions. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification