Interactive music playlist sharing system and methods

1 . A universal playlist sharing system for sharing playlists including a plurality of media works, comprising:

a server coupled by a network to a plurality of server users, the server including:

a first playlist submission module for converting a first playlist in a first proprietary format submitted by a first server user over the network via a first network protocol to a standard playlist format;

a second playlist submission module for converting a second playlist in a second proprietary format submitted by a second server user over the network via a second network protocol to a standard playlist format;

a playlist browsing interface module enabling the first user and the second user to share the first playlist and the second playlist in the standard playlist format over the network; and

a playlist searching interface module enabling the first user and the second user to share the first playlist and the second playlist in the standard playlist format over the network.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the server further comprises:

a universal media playback module for playing back the standard format playlists, the universal media playback server including:

a third party source locator module for associating each of the media files in the playlist with one or more links to third party locations for obtaining the media files when such locations exist;

a playback initiator module for initiating playback of the playlist; and

a playback interface module which executes playback of each media file in the playlist according to the link provided by the third party source locator.

3 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising:

an affiliate database storing associations between the first user, a first playlist submitted by the first user, the sharing server, and a third party location for obtaining media files from the first playlist; and

wherein the server further includes an affiliate updater module for associating a credit from the third party location to the first user upon activation of the link provided by the third party source locator to a media file in the first playlist by a second user based on the associations between the first user, a first playlist submitted by the first user, and a third party location for obtaining media files from the first playlist.

4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the playback initiator module initiates playback of the media files in the playlist upon receipt of a single user interface gesture from a system user over the network.

5 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the server further includes a social networking playlist module, including:

a user invitation interface module for a first system user to invite other system users to share a set of playlists each containing a plurality of media files in any of a plurality of playlist formats over the network;

a playlist sharing interface module for sharing the set of playlists in the standard playlist format via the playlist submission module wherein the playlist sharing interface includes security controls for limiting playlist access to a predetermined set of designated users; and

a network communication interface module for direct communication between the first server user and other server users associated with the shared set of playlists.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the server further includes a social networking playlist module, including:

a user invitation interface module for a first system user to invite other system users to share a set of playlists each containing a plurality of media files in any of a plurality of playlist formats over the network;

a playlist sharing interface module for sharing the set of playlists in the standard playlist format via the playlist submission module wherein the playlist sharing interface includes security controls for limiting playlist access to a predetermined set of designated users; and

a network communication interface module for direct communication between the first server user and other server users associated with the shared set of playlists.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the server further includes a real time playlist module, the real-time playlist module comprising:

a media file selector module for enabling a first system user to interactively select media files from a at least one of the server-based playlist browsing interface module and the server-based playlist searching interface module for inclusion in a real time playlist;

a playlist manager interface module for enabling the first system user to edit, delete or add media files and information to the real time playlist; and

a playlist storage interface module for converting the real time playlist to a stored playlist associated with the first system user in the playlist sharing system.

8 . A community media playlist relational database system, comprising:

a playlist server in communication with a database of media playlists, the media playlists each including media identification information and user identification information, the at least one playlist server connected to a network for access thereto by a plurality of system users;

wherein the playlist server includes a server-provided network playlist interface module providing a front-end to the playlist server over the network, the network playlist interface module including:

a playlist submission interface module for submitting media playlists to the playlist server by a system user over a network from a plurality of external media playlist formats, the playlist server recognizing the plurality of external formats and converting the submitted media playlists for inclusion in the database of media playlists;

a playlist linking interface module for linking the database of media playlists to additional media information through the network playlist interface module, the playlist linking interface module further linking the database of media playlists to a plurality of points of purchase for individual media items in the media playlists of the database of media playlists; and

a meta-affiliate interface module for distributing affiliate profits from at least one of the plurality of points of purchase when accessed via the playlist linking interface module to distribute at least a portion of the affiliate profits among at least one of the system users based upon media identification information, system user information, and playlist information.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the playlist server further includes:

a playlist search interface module capable of at least one of searching and browsing the database of media playlists to return similar playlists or system users, based on similarity of one or more of the following inputs from a system user: media identification information, media category information, media relation information, user information, or matching of a plurality of media items on respective playlists;

a playlist rating interface module for rating the database of media playlists based on the summation of a number of rankings submitted by system users; and

a recommendation interface module for returning lists of recommended items including at least one of playlists, media identification information, media category information, media relation information, and user information from the playlist database to system users based on an association between a playlist selected by a system user, the results of the playlist rating interface module, and the results of the playlist search interface module.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the playlist server further comprises:

a social networking interface module for enabling network communications between system users on the playlist network based upon one or more of the following: media identification information, media category information, media relation information, user information, or matching of a plurality of media items on respective playlists.

11 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the playlist server further comprises:

a social networking interface module for enabling network communications between system users on the playlist network based upon one or more of the following: media identification information, media category information, media relation information, user information, or matching of a plurality of media items on respective playlists.

12 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the playlist server further comprises:

a real time playlist interface module for interactively building a new playlist from the playlist search interface module.

13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the playlist server further comprises:

a playlist toolbar interface module for creating and serving web page code to a third party server over the network representing at least one playlist including an association between the playlist and the playlist linking interface module.

14 . A media playlist sharing system, comprising:

a web interface module for serving elements of a playlist sharing system to system users over a network from a playlist sharing server;

the playlist sharing server including access to a first playlist and a second playlist, the first playlist including a first playlist name, a first set of media descriptors representing a first set of media works, and first playlist description data, and the second playlist including a second playlist name, a second set of media descriptors representing a second set of media works, and second playlist description data; and

wherein the playlist server includes:

a playlist submission interface module, including an automatic playlist submission interface module providing:

a server-based universal playlist compatibility interface to populate the first playlist from any of a plurality of third party playlist formats, and a server-based manual playlist submission interface for populating the second playlist via the web interface module;

a media recommendations interface to provide recommendations of at least one of playlists, media works, and system users based on an affinity at the playlist server of at least one of playlists, media works, and system users; and

a social networking interface module for enabling a first system user and a second system user to directly communicate with one another and share standard playlist format information via a network communication protocol.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the playlist server further comprises:

a third party ordering interface module for associating with each media descriptor, representing a media work, a link to each of a plurality of third parties from which a link to obtain the media work is available;

a user registration interface module for populating a first system user account and a second system user account with first user data and second user data respectively, and associating a first playlist with the first system user account and a second playlist with the second system user account, and associating a first system user account with affiliate data for at least one of the third parties from which a link to obtain at least one media work from the first playlist associated with the first system user account; and

a playlist meta-affiliate interface module for crediting purchases of media works from the first playlist via the link to third party ordering interface with the first system user account according to the affiliate data associated with the first system user account.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the playlist server further comprises:

a playlist browsing interface for viewing and navigating playlists in the web interface module based on playlist name, playlist media descriptors, and playlist data;

a playlist searching interface for finding playlists via the web interface based on playlist name, playlist media descriptors, and playlist data;

a playlist ranking interface for ordering playlists for display based on playlist popularity as determined by system users; and

a playlist recommendation interface for providing algorithmic recommendations for a first system user account and a first playlist.

17 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the playlist server further comprises:

a playlist browsing interface module for viewing and navigating playlists in the web interface module based on playlist name, playlist media descriptors, and playlist data;

a playlist searching interface module for finding playlists via the web interface module based on playlist name, playlist media descriptors, and playlist data;

a playlist ranking interface module for ordering playlists for display based on bumping of playlists by system users; and

a playlist recommendation interface module for providing algorithmic recommendations for a first system user account and a first playlist.

18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the playlist server further comprises:

a playlist toolbar interface module for sharing playlists on a third party website independently of the playlist browsing interface module by way a toolbar served from the playlist sharing system to the third party website upon placement of toolbar code on the third party website; and,

a toolbar meta-affiliate interface module for crediting purchases of media works from the toolbar via the link to third party ordering interface with the first system user account according to the affiliate data associated with the first system user account.

19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the playlist server further comprises:

a real time playlist interface module for creating, editing and deleting a third playlist in real time interactively in the playlist browsing interface module.

20 . A computer readable medium storing a computer program for causing a processor, used in a data processing system controlling a media playlist sharing system, to:

supply a web-based interface to a network including a plurality of system users;

provide an interface for uploading media playlists from the plurality of system users to the media playlist sharing system;

associate the playlists to respective system users;

associate the playlists to one or more third party providers for each of the media items on the playlists;

enable the sharing of the media playlists among the plurality of system users via the web-based interface;

provide network communications among the plurality of users via the web-based interface according to the content of the playlists associated with respective system users;

store affiliate associations between the system users and the third party providers; and

track the stored affiliate associations of each media item on the playlist associated with a user when that media item is selected for acquisition from a third party by another user.

21 . The computer readable medium of claim 20 , wherein the program further causes the processor to:

generate real time playlists based on the web-based interface to the means for sharing the media playlists.

22 . The computer readable medium of claim 20 , wherein the program further causes the processor to:

generate a playlist toolbar on a third party server over the network of the plurality of system users, the playlist toolbar associating the playlists to one or more third party providers for each of the media items on the playlists.

23 . A method for sharing media playlists including a plurality of media files among a plurality of users on a network, comprising:

uploading a first playlist from a first user to a playlist sharing server over the network, the playlist sharing server including a database, a web server, and an interface to a network including the plurality of users;

uploading a second playlist from a second user to the playlist sharing server over the network;

converting the first playlist and the second playlist to a standard playlist format on the playlist sharing server;

storing the first playlist and the second playlist in the standard playlist format in the database associated with the playlist sharing server;

associating the first playlist and the second playlist with respective media identification information, media relation information, and user information for each the playlist in the database;

associating the first playlist and the second playlist with a plurality of third party media providers such that each media file in the first playlist is linked to at least one of the plurality of third party media providers that distributes that media file if any, and each media file in the second playlist is linked to at least one of the plurality of third party media providers that distributes that media file if any; and

sharing the first playlist and the second playlist with the first user and the second user via the web interface over the network.

24 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising socially networking the first user and the second user via the web interface to permit the first user and the second user to directly communicate via a network communication protocol over the network to share a plurality of playlists based upon a particular “topic” to which the plurality of playlists relate.

25 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising

associating the first playlist with the first user;

associating the first user with the at least one of the third party media providers as an affiliate; and

distributing affiliate income to the first user upon the second user obtaining a media file in the first playlist from the at least one of the third party media providers via the first playlist.

26 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising creating a web toolbar associated with the first playlist and the first user;

providing a toolbar code to the first user representing the web toolbar;

placing the toolbar code on a third party server coupled by the network to the network playlist server;

serving the web toolbar to the third party server from the network playlist server upon running the toolbar code on the third party server, such that the web toolbar displays the contents of the first playlist by way of the third party server.

27 . The method of claim 26 , further comprising

associating the web toolbar including a first playlist containing a plurality of media files with the first user;

associating the first user with the at least one of the third party media providers as an affiliate; and

distributing affiliate income to the first user upon the second user obtaining a media file in the first playlist from the at least one of the third party media providers via accessing the first playlist by way of the web toolbar on the third party server.

28 . A method for universally sharing playlists of media works among a plurality of users on a network via a network playlist server, comprising:

submitting a first playlist in a first proprietary format from a first user to the network playlist server over the network;

converting the first playlist to a standard playlist format;

submitting a second playlist in a second proprietary format from a second user to the network playlist server over the network;

converting the second playlist to a standard playlist format;

providing a web-based browsing interface enabling the first user and the second user to share the first playlist and the second playlist in the standard playlist format over the network; and

providing a web-based searching interface enabling the first user and the second user to share the first playlist and the second playlist in the standard playlist format over the network.

29 . A method for sharing playlists of media files in a community media playlist relational database system over a network, comprising:

connecting to a network at least one playlist server including a database of media playlists, the media playlists each including media identification information and user identification information, for access thereto by a plurality of system users over the network;

providing a network playlist interface for interaction between the playlist relational database system and the plurality of system users, including:

submitting media playlists to the playlist server by a system user over a network from a plurality of external media playlist formats, the playlist server recognizing the plurality of external formats and converting the submitted media playlists for inclusion in the database of media playlists, and

linking the database of media playlists to additional media information through the network playlist interface, the playlist linking system further linking the database of media playlists to a plurality of points of purchase for individual media items in the media playlists of the database of media playlists; and

distributing affiliate profits from at least one of the plurality of points of purchase when accessed via the playlist linking interface to distribute at least a portion of the affiliate profits among at least one of the system users based upon media identification information, system user information, and playlist information.

30 . A method for sharing media playlists, including a first playlist and a second playlist, the first playlist including a first playlist name, a first set of media descriptors representing a first set of media works, and first playlist description data, comprising:

providing a playlist sharing server to a plurality of system users over a network;

receiving a first playlist from a first system user;

automatically translating the first playlist from the first user to a standard playlist format;

populating the first playlist name, first set of media descriptors, and first playlist description data based on the translated first playlist from the first user;

sharing playlist data from the first playlist in the standard playlist format to a plurality of system users over a network from the playlist sharing server; and

connecting the first user and another user via a server-based social networking interface to enable the first user and another user to directly communicate with one another via a network communication protocol mediated by the playlist sharing server, based on the sharing of the first playlist between the first user and another user.

31 . The method of claim 30 , further comprising:

associating with each media descriptor, representing a media work, a link to each of a plurality of third parties from which a link to obtain the media work is available;

populating first system user account data associated with the first user, and associating a first playlist with the first system user account data, and associating a first system user account data with affiliate data for at least one of the third parties from which a link to obtain at least one media work from the first playlist associated with the first system user account; and

crediting purchases of media works from the first playlist via the link to third party ordering interface to a first user associated with the first system user account and the affiliate data associated with the first system user account.

32 . The method of claim 30 , further comprising:

enabling navigation and viewing of playlists over the network based on playlist name, playlist media descriptors, and playlist data;

enabling searching for playlists via the network based on playlist name, playlist media descriptors, and playlist data;

ranking playlists for display ordering based on bumping of playlists by system users; and

recommending a second playlist to the first user over the network for a first system user account and a first playlist based on the relationship of the playlist media descriptors and playlist data with the second playlist.