Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Multiple computer communication using cryptography – Particular communication authentication technique
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-18
2001-06-12
Peeso, Thomas R. (Department: 2132)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Multiple computer communication using cryptography
Particular communication authentication technique
C713S160000, C713S161000, C380S255000, C380S258000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247130
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to digital music downloading. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for distributing digital music over the Internet by a web site vendor.
The Internet has offered opportunities for electronic commerce of massive proportions. Among other things, distribution of music over the computer-implemented global network is a well suited application of e-commerce, whereby consumers can easily and quickly find and purchase individual tracks or entire albums. A need therefore exists for a system and method that provide a music web site that is comprehensive, versatile, user-friendly, and protects the proprietary rights of artists and other rights holders.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital music distribution web site.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a digital music distribution web site wherein a customer shopping list is always visible on a display screen.
It is yet another object of the present invention to display a shopping history for each registered user/customer for unlimited downloading of the previously purchased items.
It is still another object of the present invention to display a sales and royalty history for rights holders based on the sales of the product via the web site.
It is still another object of the present invention to prohibit an unauthorized transfer of downloaded music files for playback by an unregistered user/customer.
The above and other objects are achieved by a system and method for digitally distributing music comprised of tracks and albums over the Internet to a plurality of the Internet users. According to the present invention, a key is assigned to a track for downloading to a user, and the assigned key is inserted into the track prior to the downloading. The same assigned key is transferred to the user prior to downloading the track. The transferred key is combined with additional data to generate an identifier that uniquely identifies a customer's computer. It is then verified whether the key extracted from the downloaded track matches the information based on the generated identifier to enable the playback of the track.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the assigned key is unique to the user in correspondence to a username and password combination, and the user enters the username and password combination to access the track in a database prior to the assignment of the key.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the track is downloaded only if the user purchases the track prior to the downloading.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5991399 (1999-11-01), Graunke et al.
patent: 6009410 (1999-12-01), LeMole et al.
patent: 6038595 (2000-03-01), Ortony
Brown & Raysman Millstein Felder & Steiner LLP
Peeso Thomas R.
LandOfFree
Distribution of musical products by a web site vendor over... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Distribution of musical products by a web site vendor over..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Distribution of musical products by a web site vendor over... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2538424