METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION TO A MOBILE HANDSET

1 . A method for providing digital content in exchange for credits, comprising the steps of:

providing one or more credits to a user of a mobile handset, wherein said credits will expire if not used within a predetermined time period;

receiving a request from said mobile handset for digital content over a network;

streaming said digital content to said mobile handset; and

reducing the number of credits allocated to said user in a database when said digital content is streamed to said mobile handset.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the content comprises audio content.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the content comprises video content.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said mobile handset comprises a touchscreen that is used to initiate said request.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said mobile handset comprises a keypad that is used to initiate said request.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising playing said digital content on a display on said mobile handset.

7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising adding one or more credits to an account associated with said user in said database.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the adding step occurs in response to receiving an indication of a monetary payment.

9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the adding step occurs in response to receiving an indication of an action taken by said user to earn said one or more credits.

10 . A system for providing digital content in exchange for credits, comprising:

a database for providing one or more credits to a user of a mobile handset, wherein said credits will expire if not used within a predetermined time period;

a server for receiving a request from said mobile handset over a network for digital content and for streaming said digital content to said mobile handset;

said database configured to reduce the number of credits allocated to said user in a database.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the content comprises audio content.

12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the content comprises video content.

13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said mobile handset comprises a touchscreen that is used to initiate said request.

14 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said mobile handset comprises a keypad that is used to initiate said request.

15 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said mobile handset is configured to play said digital content on a display.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein said database is further configured to add one or more credits to an account associated with said user.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein said server comprises a module for receiving an indication of a monetary payment.

18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein said server comprises a module for receiving an indication of an action taken by said user to earn said one or more credits.

19 . A method for providing digital content in exchange for credits, comprising the steps of:

adding one or more credits to a database record associated with a user of a mobile handset, wherein said one or more credits will expire if not used within a predetermined time period;

receiving a request from said mobile handset for video content over a network;

streaming said video content to said mobile handset;

reducing the number of credits allocated to said user in said database when said video content is streamed to said mobile handset.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein said mobile handset comprises a touchscreen that is used to initiate said request.