Network policy service for dynamic media
Processing network requests includes receiving a request for a target media element available at a requested location. The request can identify a media repository that stores the target media element. A substitute media element that has content approximately equivalent to content of the target media element can be determined. The substitute media element can be stored on a sub-network connected to the network. A selection page having a link to the location of the substitute media element on the sub-network can be generated. A response to the request for the target media element can include the selection page, so as to offer a user a choice of media source.
1. A method of processing network requests, the method comprising:
receiving a request for a target media element at a requested location on the internet, the target media element including a video and/or audio stream, the request originating from a client computer connected to an internet service provider that provides the client computer with access to the internet including the requested location, the request identifying a media repository that stores the target media element outside of a sub-network operated by the internet service provider;
processing the request to determine a substitute media element including a video and/or audio stream that has content approximately equivalent to content of the target media element, the substitute media element hosted by the internet service provider;
generating a selection page having a substitute link to the location of the substitute media element; and
responding to the request with the selection page.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising authenticating a credential of a requesting computer at which the request originated, the credential associated with an account with the internet service provider.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising charging the account after receiving selection of the substitute media element.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sub-network comprises a media store at which media elements including the substitute media element are for sale.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the selection page further comprises providing in the selection page a target link to the requested location of the target media element.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the selection page further comprises providing in the selection page another substitute link to a location of another substitute media element that has content approximately equivalent to content of the target media element, the substitute media element stored on another sub-network.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the selection page comprises providing a human-intelligible message in the selection page, the human-intelligible message indicating a negative characteristic of the target media element.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the target media element contains unlicensed content, and the substitute media element lacks unlicensed content.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the target media element is of reduced audio or visual quality, and the substitute media element is of superior audio or visual quality.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the content of the substitute media element is identical to the content of the target media element.
11. A system comprising:
one or more computers configured to:
receive a request for a target media element at a requested location on the internet, the target media element including a video and/or audio stream, the request originating from a client computer connected to an internet service provider that provides the client computer with access to the internet including the requested location, the request identifying a media repository that stores the target media element outside of a sub-network operated by the internet service provider;
process the request to determine a substitute media element including a video and/or audio stream that has content approximately equivalent to content of the target media element, the substitute media element hosted by the internet service provider;
generate a selection page having a substitute link to the location of the substitute media element; and
respond to the request with the selection page.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more computers is further configured to authenticate a credential of a requesting computer at which the request originated, the credential associated with an account with the internet service provider.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the one or more computers is further configured to charge the account after receiving selection of the substitute media element.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the sub-network comprises a media store at which media elements including the substitute media element are for sale.
15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more computers configured to generate the selection page includes providing in the selection page a target link to the requested location of the target media element.
16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more computers configured to generate the selection page includes providing in the selection page another substitute link to a location of another substitute media element that has content approximately equivalent to content of the target media element, the substitute media element stored on another sub-network.
17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more computers configured to generate the selection page includes providing a human-intelligible message in the selection page, the human-intelligible message indicating a negative characteristic of the target media element.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the target media element contains unlicensed content, and the substitute media element lacks unlicensed content.
19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the target media element is of reduced audio or visual quality, and the substitute media element is of superior audio or visual quality.
20. The system of claim 11 , wherein the content of the substitute media element is identical to the content of the target media element.