Digital file distribution in a social network system
View Patent ↗Systems and methods for obtaining a digital file similar to one used by a device associated with a member of a social network are provided. Digital file information about the digital file is stored on a web-based social network database. The digital file may be located on the same server as the web-based social network database or a third party server such as a mobile phone carrier. A user of the web-based social network database requesting the digital file may require a different format of the digital file than that used by the device of the member. If a different format is requested by the user, a server finds or converts the digital file to be compatible for use by a device specified by the user.
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
storing identification information of a digital file associated with a first user of a social networking system;
receiving a request from a second user of the social networking system for the digital file, the second user connected to the first user by a social networking relationship within the social networking system, the social networking relationship represented by a social map comprising interactions and shared experiences between the second user and the first user;
responsive to receiving the request from the second user, determining an action required of the second user under a digital rights management (DRM) scheme of a third-party source of the digital file, the third-party source external to the social networking system, the action required for the second user to access the digital file;
causing the second user to take the required action responsive to determining the required action; and
causing the digital file to be transferred from the third-party source of the digital file to a device of the second user responsive to the second user taking the required action.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the required action comprises accepting a copyright agreement associated with the digital file.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising re-encrypting a key associated with the DRM scheme.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the DRM scheme is associated with a publisher.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digital file is selected from the group consisting of a ringtone, a game, and an image file.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the source of the digital file is a device of the first user.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising
receiving device information from the device associated with the second user, the device information representing specifications of the device;
storing the device information; and
locating a version of the digital file compatible with the device based on the device information.
8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for providing a social networking system, the instructions executed by a processor and causing the processor to:
store identification information of a digital file associated with a first user of a social networking system;
receive a request from a second user of the social networking system for the digital file, the second user connected to the first user by a social networking relationship within the social networking system, the social networking relationship represented by a social map comprising interactions and shared experiences between the second user and the first user;
responsive to receiving the request from the second user, determine an action required of the second user under a digital rights management (DRM) scheme of a third-party source of the digital file, the third-party source external to the social networking system, the action required for the second user to access the digital file;
cause the second user to take the required action responsive to determining the required action; and
cause the first digital file to be transferred from the third-party source of the digital file to a device of the second user responsive to the second user taking the required action.
9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the required action comprises accepting a copyright agreement associated with the digital file.
10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , the instructions further causing the processor to re-encrypt a key associated with the DRM scheme.
11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the DRM scheme is associated with a publisher.
12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the digital file is selected from the group consisting of a ringtone, a game, and an image file.
13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the source of the digital file is a device of the first user.
14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , the instructions further causing the processor to:
receive device information from the device associated with the second user, the device information representing specifications of the device;
store the device information; and
locate a version of the digital file compatible with the device based on the device information.
15. A computer system comprising:
a processor; and
a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:
store identification information of a digital file associated with a first user of a social networking system;
receive a request from a second user of the social networking system for the digital file, the second user connected to the first user by a social networking relationship within the social networking system, the social networking relationship represented by a social map comprising interactions and shared experiences between the second user and the first user;
responsive to receiving the request from the second user, determine an action required of the second user under a digital rights management (DRM) scheme of a third-party source of the digital file, the third-party source external to the social networking system, the action required for the second user to access the digital file;
cause the second user to take the required action responsive to determining the required action; and
cause the first digital file to be transferred from the third-party source of the digital file to a device of the second user responsive to the second user taking the required action.
16. The computer system of claim 15 , wherein the required action comprises accepting a copyright agreement associated with the digital file.
17. The computer system of claim 15 , the memory further storing instructions to cause the processor to re-encrypt a key associated with the DRM scheme.
18. The computer system of claim 15 , wherein the DRM scheme is associated with a publisher.