Systems and methods for content metadata management

1. A method for content management, comprising:

receiving content created by a creator;

creating a container to contain the content and storing the content in the container;

based on a content type of the content created by the creator, identifying items of metadata specified for the content type;

determining that an identified item of metadata from the items of metadata specified for the content type is missing from the container;

prompting a user to supply the identified item; and

upon receiving one or more of the items of metadata from the user, marking the container at a given level of completeness based on the items of metadata included in the container with the one or more of the items of metadata received, wherein the given level of completeness comprises multiple levels of completeness that are defined for the container.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the items of metadata comprise digital distribution release metadata, lyrics, composer information, royalty payment information, or work for hire contract information, and the method is further comprising:

receiving the identified item from the user; and

adding the identified item to the container.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising, when all of the items of metadata specified for the content type are in the container, marking the container as complete.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

periodically checking the container to determine whether the identified item of metadata is in the container.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the content is a standard audio file and the method further comprising:

appending the items of metadata to the standard audio file; and

maintaining backward compatibility with existing audio players.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving the identified item of metadata from the items of metadata; and

adding the identified item of metadata to the container by storing the identified item of metadata in the container or storing a link to the identified item of metadata in the container.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving the identified item of metadata from the items of metadata; and

checking the items of metadata to confirm that a name of the creator of the content is included in the items of metadata with the identified item of metadata.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a request by a custodian of the content to share the container with an intended recipient; and

transferring the container to the intended recipient.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

tracking access information to the container, wherein the access information comprises an identity of a person who accessed the container.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

informing the creator that the container is complete.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the given level of completeness corresponds with a distribution format.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the given level of completeness for streaming services corresponds with different items of metadata included in the container than the given level of completeness for licensing activities.

13. A content management system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor to store instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

receiving content created by a creator;

creating a container to contain the content and storing the content in the container;

based on a content type of the content created by the creator, identifying items of metadata specified for the content type;

determining that an identified item of metadata from the items of metadata specified for the content type is missing from the container;

prompting a user to supply the identified item; and

upon receiving one or more of the items of metadata from the user, marking the container at a given level of completeness based on the items of metadata included in the container with the one or more of the items of metadata received, wherein the given level of completeness comprises multiple levels of completeness that are defined for the container.

14. The content management system of claim 13 , wherein the items of metadata comprise digital distribution release metadata, lyrics, composer information, royalty payment information, or work for hire contract information, and wherein the operations further comprising:

receiving the identified item from the user; and

adding the identified item to the container.

15. The content management system of claim 14 , wherein the operations further comprising:

when all of the items of metadata specified for the content type are in the container, marking the container as complete.

16. The content management system of claim 14 , further comprising:

periodically checking the container to determine whether the identified item of metadata is in the container.

17. The content management system of claim 13 , wherein the operations further comprising:

receiving the identified item of metadata from the items of metadata; and

adding the identified item of metadata to the container by storing the identified item of metadata in the container or storing a link to the identified item of metadata in the container.

18. The content management system of claim 13 , wherein the operations further comprising:

checking the items of metadata to confirm that a name of the creator of the content is included in the items of metadata with the identified item of metadata.

19. The content management system of claim 13 , wherein the operations further comprising:

receiving a request by a custodian of the content to share the container with an intended recipient; and

transferring the container to the intended recipient.

20. The content management system of claim 13 , wherein the operations further comprising:

tracking access information to the container, wherein the access information comprises an identity of a person who accessed the container.