Method for the distribution of audio-visual information and a system for the distribution of audio-visual information
A jukebox system, including a server that stores a master library of audiovisual selections; a plurality of jukeboxes, each of which is operable to store audiovisual selections received from the server and to play the audiovisual selections at the request of a user; a communication system through which the server and the jukeboxes communicate; wherein the server is operable to define authorized uses for the audiovisual selections received from the server; and further wherein the authorized uses correspond to various rights that third parties have in the audiovisual selections, the rights requiring by law or regulation payment of respective royalties; and further wherein the server maintains information on the authorized uses made by each of the jukeboxes and determines the amount of royalties due.
1. A method of operating a digital jukebox system in which a server is connected to a plurality of jukeboxes, each said jukebox being configured to play audiovisual selections in response to user requests,
wherein the server is configured to operate in connection with a processor to at least (a) define, for the jukeboxes, authorized uses of the audiovisual selections playable thereon, the authorized uses corresponding to rights that third parties have in the audiovisual selections, the rights requiring payment of royalties for the authorized uses of the audiovisual selections, and (b) verify, for the jukeboxes, the authorized uses to which the jukeboxes may put the selections,
the method comprising:
maintaining information on the authorized uses made by the jukeboxes; and
determining the amount of royalties due for actual authorized uses.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rights include master recording rights, mechanical rights, synchronization rights, and public performance rights.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the authorized uses include playing the audiovisual selection without storing the audiovisual selection on the jukebox, storing the audiovisual selection on the jukebox for unlimited play, and storing the audiovisual selection on the jukebox for a single play.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the rights has a different required royalty, and further comprising maintaining information on the amount of each royalty for use in determining the amount of royalties due for each authorized use made by the jukeboxes.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein uses to be made by the jukebox include playing the audiovisual selection without storing the audiovisual selection on the jukebox, storing the audiovisual selection on the jukebox for unlimited play, and storing the audiovisual selection on the jukebox for a single play.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting to the jukeboxes from the server validation information indicating permissible usage types for the audiovisual selections.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the permissible usage types include at least (a) storage of data corresponding to the audiovisual selections in one or more of a plurality of formats, (b) prevention of storage of the data, and (c) playback of the audio-visual selection included in the data.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of formats include MMP, MP3 and WAV.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein different selections have different defined authorized uses.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least some data transmitted from the server to the jukeboxes is both encoded and encrypted.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more multi-service servers are interposed between the server and the jukeboxes.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein a plurality multi-service servers is interposed between the server and the jukeboxes, each said multi-server server being connected to the server and one or more jukeboxes.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein at least one multi-service server includes a system for the distribution of television programs by cable that includes a return channel.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein at least one multi-service server includes a mobile telephone operator.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting to the jukeboxes from the server validation information indicating permissible usage types for the audiovisual selections, the validation information instructing the jukeboxes whether, how, and where to store media of different formats.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the different formats include MMP, MP3 and WAV formats.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein audiovisual selections playable on the jukebox devices are received from the server.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein payments are required by law or regulation.
19. The method of claim 1 , further comprising assigning authorized uses of the audiovisual selections at the server for jukeboxes in connection with a code or unique key.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the assigning is performed on an individual jukebox-by-jukebox basis.