The present invention discloses a
system, method and
computer program for selecting, ordering, accessing and displaying copyrighted information from physical documents such as printed publications or commercials. The invention allows the management and the direct sale from the editor to the final
consumer of
electronic information referenced on physical publications while respecting the copyrights attached to this
electronic information. According to the present invention, a plurality of particular items (i.e., words, pictures, logos, etc.,) are defined on a physical document. These items are linked to copyrighted hardcopy or softcopy edited objets, such as chapters, notes, pictures, video or audio elements. For identifying and selecting the items defined in the physical document, these items are automatically illuminated by luminous signals (or light spots) generated by an opto-touch foil. The opto-touch foil operates under the control of a user
workstation. An illuminated item is selected by the user by pressing the opto-touch foil over the illuminated position of this item. When the user selects a particular item among all illuminated items, the user
workstation receives from the opto-touch foil a
signal indicating the position of this selected item. The user
workstation identifies and locates the edited object associated with the position of the selected item referring to an Edited Objects Table. If the user has already a
license for the edited object, and if this edited object is already stored in the user workstation, then this edited object is accessed locally. If the user has no copyright for the edited object, a request is sent through a network to an Edited Objects
server, to get a description and ordering information about the selected edited object. The edited object can then be downloaded and stored locally for a fee.