MULTIMEDIA SEARCH ENGINE
Described herein is a search engine that can include a receiver component that receives a query from a user that pertains to a multimedia item and an output component that outputs multiple choices for receiving an instance of the multimedia item to a user. The multiple choices may include a first choice for receiving a first instance of the multimedia item for no charge, wherein the first instance of the multimedia item includes a digital rights management restriction. The multiple choices may also include a second choice for receiving a second instance of the multimedia item for a fee, wherein the second instance of the multimedia item is free of digital rights management restrictions. The search engine can further include a transmitter component that transmits one of the first multimedia item or the second multimedia item to the user.
1 . A computer-readable memory comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a graphical user interface to be transmitted for display to an individual, the graphical user interface comprising:
a first graphical portion, wherein the first graphical portion comprises a selectable graphical icon, wherein selection of the graphical icon causes a first instance of a multimedia file to be downloaded to a computing device of the individual, wherein selection of the graphical icon further causes a search engine to allocate payment for the first instance of the multimedia file to an owner of copyright in the multimedia file, and wherein the first instance of the multimedia file has at least one digital rights management restriction assigned thereto; and
a second graphical portion, wherein the second graphical portion comprises text that indicates to the individual that the first instance of the multimedia file is downloadable to the computing device of the individual free of charge to the individual.
2 . The computer-readable memory of claim 1 , wherein the first graphical portion is presented to the individual responsive to receipt of a query from the individual that pertains to the multimedia file.
3 . The computer-readable memory of claim 1 , wherein the multimedia file is an audio track.
4 . The computer-readable memory of claim 1 , wherein the multimedia file is one of a movie or a television program.
5 . The computer-readable memory of claim 1 , wherein the at least one digital rights management restriction restricts at least one of a device that is able to access the first instance of the multimedia file, a type of device that is able to access the first instance of the multimedia file, a number of times that the first instance of the multimedia file is accessible to the individual, or a window of time within which the first instance of the multimedia file is accessible to the individual.
6 . The computer-readable memory of claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface further comprises:
a third graphical portion, wherein the third graphical portion comprises a text entry field that is configured to receive data from the individual that uniquely identifies the individual.
7 . The computer-readable memory of claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface further comprises a third graphical portion, wherein the third graphical portion comprises a second selectable graphical icon, wherein selection of the second selectable graphical icon causes a second instance of the multimedia file to be downloaded to the computing device of the individual for a fee that is charged to an account of the individual, wherein the second instance of the multimedia file is free of the at least one digital rights management restriction that is assigned to the first instance of the multimedia file.
8 . The computer-readable memory of claim 1 , wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.
9 . The computer-readable memory of claim 8 , wherein the portable computing device is one of a portable telephone or a portable multimedia player.
10 . The computer-readable memory of claim 9 , wherein a web browser is configured to display the graphical user interface.
11 . The computer-readable memory of claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface comprises a third graphical portion, wherein the third graphical portion comprises an advertisement related to the multimedia file.
12 . A method for displaying a graphical user interface on a display screen of a computing device to a user, the method comprising:
receiving a query from the user, wherein the query pertains to a multimedia item; and
responsive to receiving the query, causing a graphical user interface to be displayed on the display screen of the computing device, the graphical user interface comprising:
a first graphical portion that comprises a first graphical icon, wherein selection of the first graphical icon by the user causes a first instance of the multimedia item to be transmitted to the computing device free of charge to the user, wherein the first instance of the multimedia item has at least one digital rights management restriction assigned thereto, and wherein selection of the first graphical icon by the user causes a search engine to transmit monies to an owner of copyright in the multimedia item; and
a second graphical portion that comprises text that indicates to the user that the first instance of the multimedia item is downloadable to the computing device of the user free of charge to the user but subject to the at least one digital rights management restriction.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the at least one digital rights management restriction is one of a restriction on a device that is able to access the first instance of the multimedia item, a restriction on a type of device that is able to access the first instance of the multimedia item, a restriction on a number of times that the first instance of the multimedia item is accessible to the user, or a restriction on a window of time within which the first instance of the multimedia item is accessible to the user.
14 . The method of claim 12 configured for execution in a search engine.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the multimedia item is one of an audio track, a movie, or a television program.
16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the computing device is a portable computing device, and wherein the portable computing device is one of a multimedia player, a mobile telephone, or a tablet computing device.
17 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the graphical user interface comprises a third graphical portion that comprises an advertisement, wherein the advertisement is selected for presentation to the user based at least in part upon the query.
18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the graphical user interface comprises a third graphical portion that includes a second graphical icon, wherein user selection of the second graphical icon causes a second instance of the multimedia item to be downloaded to the computing device of the user for a fee that is charged to an account of the user, wherein the second instance of the multimedia item is free of the at least one digital rights management restriction that is assigned to the first instance of the multimedia item.
19 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the graphical user interface comprises a third graphical portion that includes a plurality of other search results that are retrieved by a search engine responsive to receipt of the query.
20 . A graphical user interface for a search engine, comprising:
a query field that is configured to receive a query from a user;
a first selectable icon that, upon being selected, initiates transmission of a first instance of a multimedia item to a user;
a first graphical portion corresponding to the first selectable icon that indicates that the user can receive the first instance of the multimedia item for free;
a second graphical portion corresponding to the first selectable icon that indicates that the first instance of the multimedia item has digital rights management restrictions assigned thereto that restricts at least one of a device that is able to access the first instance of the multimedia item, a type of device that is able to access the first instance of the multimedia item, a number of times that the first instance of the multimedia item is accessible to the user, or a window of time within which the first instance of the multimedia item is accessible to the user.
a second selectable icon that, upon being selected, initiates transmission of a second instance of the multimedia item to the user;
a third graphical portion corresponding to the second selectable icon that indicates that the user can receive the second instance of the multimedia item for a fee;
an advertisement field that displays an advertisement to the user, wherein the advertisement is based at least in part upon the query received in the query field; and
a social field that depicts social networking information.