Batch loading and self-registration of digital media files

• US 8,117,130 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2005
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stragent, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Stragent, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Mendelson, Jordan, Fanning, Shawn, Aydar, Ali
• Primary Examiner(s): Augustin, Evens J
• Application Number:
  US11/314,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20060167803A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,247 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200, 370/392
• US Class Current: 705/59
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1085 Content sharing, e.g. peer-to-peer [P2P]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 Shopping for digital content

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for batch loading and self-registration of digital media files is provided. The system provides numerous methods of interfacing with a content outlet. The methods further include comparing attributes of content to be downloaded with attributes of content in a media database. The methods also includes providing restrictions based on a result of the comparing. The methods further include monetizing the methods between both retailers and right-holders using the system. Additionally, the method may include providing retail analysis, resolving disputes, and distributing royalty payments to rights-holders of content.

Claims

1. A method for managing digital content, comprising:

causing display of at least one interface on an apparatus, the at least one interface being configured to enable a rights-holder to cause verification of an identity of the rights-holder, wherein the verification of the identity of the rights-holder includes providing at least one login interface;

receiving, utilizing the at least one interface, a batch of data relating to a plurality of files, the batch of data relating to the plurality of files having been gathered through use of a discovery process, the discovery process being adapted to traverse at least one link on a network and to thereby discover the batch of data relating to the plurality of files;

causing display, utilizing the at least one interface, of at least a portion of the batch of data relating to the plurality of files;

receiving, utilizing the at least one interface, a selection of at least one of the plurality of the files;

receiving, utilizing the at least one interface, at least one indication of at least one descriptor;

associating the at least one descriptor with the selected at least one file for search purposes;

receiving at least one indication of at least one rule involving a pricing and at least one use restriction;

associating the at least one rule with the selected at least one file for controlling the pricing and use of the at least one file;

accessing at least one database, the at least one database including file information relating to the plurality of files, the file information including the data relating to the plurality of files, the at least one descriptor, the at least one rule, and the association;

receiving at least one search criteria;

searching the at least one database utilizing the search criteria;

causing display of results of the search on the apparatus;

accessing the file information for a selected file, based on a selection in response to the causing display of the results of the search;

updating at least a portion of the file information;

storing the updated file information;

tracking licensing associated with at least one file of the plurality of files;

receiving accounting information, the accounting information related to monetary payment associated with the licensing; and

reporting, utilizing the at least one interface, to the rights-holder, accounting reporting information, the accounting reporting information related to the monetary payment to the rights-holder in association with the licensing;

wherein the rights-holder is allowed to modify the at least one rule involving the pricing and the at least one use restriction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes the files themselves.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes metadata associated with the files.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes at least one fingerprint associated with the files.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one interface includes a self-registration interface.

6. The method of claim 1, and further comprising causing display of at least one additional interface configured to report to the rights-holder.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one additional interface displays financial data based on individual track sales statistics.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one additional interface displays financial data based on unrealized or lost income.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one additional interface displays financial data based on receipt of individual file sales statistics, calculation of income from sales of the individual file, and a comparison of retailer and rights-holder rules for the sale of the individual file that are not in agreement.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the descriptor includes a category.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the category includes a rights-holder-defined category.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the category indicates a style of music.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the network includes the Internet.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the files include music files.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a server including computer code for the causing display.

15. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium for managing digital content, the computer program product comprising computer code that, when executed:

causes display of at least one interface, the at least one interface being configured to verify an identity of a rights-holder, wherein the verification of the identity of the rights-holder includes providing at least one login interface;

allows receipt of a set of data relating to a plurality of files, the set of data relating to the plurality of files being received through use of a discovery process, the discovery process being adapted to traverse at least one location on a network and to thereby discover the set of data relating to the plurality of files;

causes display of at least a portion of the set of data relating to the plurality of files;

allows receipt of at least one indication of at least one descriptor;

causes an association of the at least one descriptor with at least one of the plurality of files, for search purposes;

allows receipt of at least one indication of at least one rule involving a pricing and at least one use restriction;

causes an association of the at least one rule with at least one of the plurality of files for controlling the pricing and use thereof;

allows access to at least one database, the at least one database including file information relating to the plurality of files, the file information including the data relating to the plurality of files, the at least one descriptor, the at least one rule, and the association;

allows receipt of at least one search criteria;

allows access to the at least one database utilizing the search criteria;

causes display of search results;

causes display of at least a portion of the file information for a particular one or more of the plurality of files, based on a selection in response to the display of the search results;

causes an update to at least a portion of the file information;

causes storage of the updated file information;

causes tracking of licensing associated with at least one file of the plurality of files;

allows receipt of accounting information, the accounting information related to monetary payment associated with the licensing; and

causes reporting, to the rights-holder, of accounting reporting information, the accounting reporting information related to the monetary payment associated with the licensing;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that the rights-holder is allowed to modify the at least one rule involving the pricing and the at least one use restriction.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the data includes the files themselves.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the data includes metadata associated with the files.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the data includes at least one fingerprint associated with the files.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the at least one interface includes a self-registration interface.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, and further comprising computer code that causes a device to display at least one additional interface configured to report to the rights-holder.

21. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the at least one additional interface displays financial data based on individual track sales statistics.

22. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the at least one additional interface displays financial data based on unrealized or lost income.

23. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the at least one additional interface displays financial data based on receipt of individual file sales statistics, calculation of income from sales of the individual file, and a comparison of retailer and rights-holder rules for the sale of the individual file that are not in agreement.

24. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the descriptor includes a category.

25. The computer program product of claim 24, wherein the category includes a rights-holder-defined category.

26. The computer program product of claim 24, wherein the category indicates a style of music.

27. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the network includes the Internet.

28. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the files include music files.

29. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the computer code is adapted for being resident on different components.

30. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the criteria is a term.

32. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the at least one rule includes a pricing rule.

33. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the at least one rule includes a use restriction rule.

34. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the at least one rule includes a pricing rule and a use restriction rule.

31. A system for managing digital content, the system comprising:

a monitor able to display at least one interface, the at least one interface being configured to verify an identity of a rights-holder, wherein the verification of the identity of the rights-holder includes providing at least one login interface;

a processor able to allow receipt of a set of data relating to a plurality of files, the set of data relating to the plurality of files being gathered through use of a discovery process, the discovery process being adapted to traverse at least one link on a network and to thereby discover the set of data relating to the plurality of files;

the system able to display of at least a portion of the set of data relating to the plurality of files;

the system able to allow receipt of a selection of at least one of the plurality of the files;

the system able to allow receipt of at least one indication of at least one descriptor;

the system able to cause an association of the at least one descriptor with the selected at least one file, for search purposes;

the system able to allow receipt of at least one indication of at least one rule involving a pricing and at least one use restriction;

the system able to cause an association of the at least one rule with the selected at least one file for controlling the pricing and use of the at least one file;

the system able to allow access to at least one database, the at least one database including file information relating to the plurality of files, the file information including the data relating to the plurality of files, the at least one descriptor, the at least one rule, and the association;

the system able to allow receipt of at least one search criteria;

the system able to allow access to the at least one database utilizing the search criteria;

the system able to display of search results;

the system able to display of at least a portion of the file information for a particular one or more of the plurality of files, based on a selection in response to the display of the search results;

the system able to cause an update to at least a portion of the file information;

the system able to cause storage of the updated file information;

the system able to track licensing associated with at least one file of the plurality of files;

the system able to allow receipt of accounting information, the accounting information related to monetary payment associated with the licensing; and

the system able to report, to the rights-holder, of accounting reporting information, the accounting reporting information related to the monetary payment to the rights-holder in association with the licensing;

wherein the system is operable such that the rights-holder is allowed to modify the at least one rule involving the pricing and the at least one use restriction.