Methods and apparatus for electronic file use and management
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- at least one processor of a device remote from a server; and
at least one memory electronically coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one memory having instructions stored thereon that are configured to, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to;
request playback of a first copy of a file associated with a first party having an ownership right in the first copy of the file;
receive from the server and substantially concurrently playback the first copy of the file;
after playing at least a portion of the file, verify that the first copy of the file is not stored in the at least one memory; and
after playing the at least portion of the first copy of the file, send a message to the server indicating that the first copy of the file is not stored in the at least one memory.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating online storage of files (e.g., audio tracks, video, etc.) for playback/access or sale/exchange by the owners of the files without violating copyrights that copyright holders have in the files. For example, by providing a playback service that does not store additional versions of an audio file when the file is transmitted to, and immediately played on, a user device without buffering, the present invention avoids violating copyright laws by not making copies of the file. Numerous other aspects are disclosed.
102 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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at least one processor of a device remote from a server; and at least one memory electronically coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one memory having instructions stored thereon that are configured to, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to; request playback of a first copy of a file associated with a first party having an ownership right in the first copy of the file; receive from the server and substantially concurrently playback the first copy of the file; after playing at least a portion of the file, verify that the first copy of the file is not stored in the at least one memory; and after playing the at least portion of the first copy of the file, send a message to the server indicating that the first copy of the file is not stored in the at least one memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A non-transitory machine-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that are configured to be executed by at least one processor of a device and to cause the device to:
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request playback of a first copy of a file associated with a first party having an ownership right in the first copy of the file; receive and substantially concurrently playback the first copy of the file; after the device plays back the first copy of the file, verify that the first copy of the file is not stored in the device; and send a message indicating that the first copy of the file is not stored in the device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method comprising:
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requesting, by at least one processor of a first one of a plurality of remote computing devices in electronic communication with a central server, playback of a first copy of a file associated with a first party having an ownership right in the first copy of the file; receive and substantially concurrently playback, by the at least one processor the first copy of the file; after playback of the first copy of the file, verify, by the at least one processor, that the first copy of the file is not stored at the first remote computing device; and send a message indicating that the first copy of the file is not stored in the first remote computing device.
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Specification