Electronic content distribution and exchange system

Abstract

An electronic content distribution and exchange system provides authenticated, reliable content downloads and tracking capabilities. Content is distributed to users through the invention's architecture. A user registers for the purchase of content through an interface on a client system or via a Web site. The purchase is for a license to the content, not for the content itself. A list of available content is displayed to the user through the client system or the Web site. The invention's central servers log the purchase of the content into a licnese database. The electronic copy of the song may be already resident on the client system in a hidden area, carouseled in a protected broadcast channel, in the central database ready to be sent out in slices, or resident on a secure server on the Internet. The user accesses content through the client system's user interface where the user plays the content and controls its playback. The invention's service provides an exchange capability similar to stock trading whereby owners offer licenses to various electronic for sale. A seller places his license for a particular content up for a particular content up for sale on the central server where a buyer that is interested in teh license places a bid. When a price is agreed to, the inventio's central server transfers license ownership in the license database to the new owner.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to the distribution and exchange of electronic data packets in a computer environment. More specifically, the present invention relates to establishing ownership of electronic content and distributing and exchanging said electronic content in a computer environment. Background technique [0002] Today, there are two competing automatic data processing systems, purely client-server based systems (such as computer mainframe systems or the World Wide Web) and purely distributed systems (such as those used to solve complex computer problems (such as modeling atomic explosions) or keys to crack passwords) Networking of Workstations (NOWS)). [0003] Client-server systems are popular because they rely on a clear division of responsibilities between server and client. Because servers perform calculations or store data for many users, servers are often expensive and require specialized management. Each client is inexpensive and...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0013] Unreliable, i.e. downloads may fail for long periods of time, data integrity cannot be achieved, etc.

[0014] Not secure – generally does not include authentication methods or data security methods

[0015] · It is difficult to implement copyright restrictions on protected content in the system

[0016] · No payment or transaction system to support sales and transactions of protected content

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