Method of Providing a Digital Asset for Distribution
Digital assets are distributed within an electronic network. An index of digital assets available for distribution over the electronic network is provided, where each digital asset has a first serial number associated with a first transfer within the network. The index can include a list of one or more locations for the digital assets, terms of use, etc. A second serial number is provided for the digital asset in response to a request for a second transfer of a digital asset. The second serial number can be embedded within the asset and transferred from a host server to a client device in response to a confirmation of acceptance of the terms of use.
1 . A method of distributing a digital asset within an electronic network comprising the steps of:
(a) providing an index of digital assets available for distribution over the electronic network with a computing system, each digital asset having a first serial number associated with a first transfer within the network, and including digital content that is associated with a digital rights holder;
wherein said index includes a list of one or more locations for said digital assets, terms of use of said digital assets and category information for said digital assets; and
(b) providing a second serial number for said digital asset with the computing system in response to a request for a second transfer of a digital asset, said second serial number being embedded within said digital asset; and
(c) transferring said digital asset from a host server to a client device with the computing system in response to a confirmation of acceptance of said terms of use for said digital asset; and
(d) updating a transaction database associated with said digital asset using the computing system to reflect said second transfer of said digital asset.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said terms of use also include time periods of use.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said serial number is embedded using a steganographic process.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said transfers of said digital asset take place in a peer-to-peer manner over the network in coordination with the computing system and such that a complete tracking history for transfers of said digital asset to users is maintained by the system.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein each transfer of said digital asset is given a unique identification number which is embedded within an instantiation of said digital asset.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further including a step: performing accounting functions in connection with said transfers, including crediting of rights holders accounts, crediting of transaction host accounts, and/or debiting of user accounts.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further including a step: performing authentication operations on digital assets stored and/or transferred between client systems over the network, said authentication operations including a determination of an embedded serial number of a digital asset and an identification of a last authorized transfer of said digital asset.
8 . The method of claim 7 further including a step: adding authentication numbers to any digital assets that are found on client systems and which do not have an authorized transfer record.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said second serial number is derived in part from said first serial number.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein a tracking history for said digital asset, including all transfers over the network, can be derived from said second serial number.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least some portions of said digital asset are encrypted and/or contain steganographically processed data.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein distributions of said digital asset over said network between user client systems are not preconditioned on securing authorization for individual copies of said digital asset.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said serial numbers are embedded in a location within such asset that is specified by an offset generated by a digital asset management computing system.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein said offset identifies a frame and word count within the digital asset.
15 . The method of claim 13 wherein said serial number is encoded within least significant bits of successive words within the digital asset so as to not alter user perceptible content.
16 . The method of claim 1 further including a step: updating said transaction database to indicate identities of parties involved in a transfer of said digital asset, and a timestamp for such event.
17 . The method of claim 1 wherein said digital content further includes advertisements.
18 . The method of claim 1 wherein said digital content includes audio and/or video data.
19 . The method of claim 1 wherein said digital content includes a right of use product.