IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,621,152
Granted Patent B2
US 12,621,152 · App. 17/657,744 · Granted May 5, 2026

Tokenization of digital media files and associated derivatives

Inventors: Drake Sutton-Shearer (Los Angeles, CA); James G. Gatto (Vienna, VA)
H04L9/3213G06Q20/36
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,621,152
App. No.
17/657,744
Granted
May 5, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Managing digital media files in a computer network by storing a set of derivative files and a logical association of the derivative files with the first digital media file; generating a first cryptographic token; associating the first cryptographic token with the first digital media file; associating the first cryptographic token with a first wallet address corresponding to a first wallet; generating a serialized set of non-fungible tokens and associating individual ones of the non-fungible tokens with individual ones of the derivative files; and associating individual ones of the non-fungible tokens with individual wallet addresses of a second set of wallets; and limiting the initial transferability of the first cryptographic token from the first wallet to one of the second set of wallets.

Claims (38)

1 . A computer-implemented method for managing digital media files in a computer network comprising:

storing, in a memory of a processing server, a first digital media file, a set of derivative files and a logical association of the derivative files with the first digital media file;

generating, via a first computer code module, a first cryptographic token;

associating in the memory the first cryptographic token with the first digital media file;

associating the first cryptographic token with a first wallet address corresponding to a first wallet;

generating, via a second computer code module, a serialized set of non-fungible tokens and associating individual ones of the non-fungible tokens with individual ones of the derivative files; and

associating individual ones of the non-fungible tokens with individual wallet addresses of a second set of wallets;

wherein the first computer code module is configured to limit the initial transferability of the first cryptographic token from the first wallet to one of the second set of wallets; and

wherein the first digital media file is an original file and the derivative files comprise a limited edition set of copies, modifications or enhancements of the original file.

2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first digital media file comprises a digital art file, a digital music file, a digital book or a digital collectibles file.

3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first digital media file is an original file and the set of derivative files comprise derivatives of the original file.

4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first digital media file is an original version of a creative work.

5 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of initiating an offer to transfer the first token by communicating an electronic message to the owners of the second set of wallets.

6 . The method of claim 1 wherein a first sale or other transfer of the first cryptographic token comprises communicating an electronic message to the owners of the second set of wallets to notify them of an intent to transfer the first cryptographic token, permitting offer messages only from second set of wallet addresses and transferring the first cryptographic token to the one of the second set of wallets associated with an accepted offer.

7 . The method of claim 6 wherein any subsequent transfer of the first cryptographic token from the one of the second set of wallets associated with the accepted offer is not limited to transfer to the one of the second set of wallets.

8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first computer code module comprises a first smart contract configured to limit transferability of the first token to an owner of the derivative files.

9 . The method of claim 1 wherein the second computer code module is configured to manage aspects of a transfer of the NFTs and rights of the corresponding NFT owner to acquire the first token associated with the original file.

10 . The method of claim 1 wherein the NFTs representing ownership of the derivative files are configured to give the corresponding NFT owners an exclusive right to participate in an offering to acquire ownership of the original file.

11 . The method of claim 1 wherein the step of associating the first cryptographic token with a corresponding first wallet includes associating the first cryptographic token with the first wallet via a blockchain or other decentralized registry.

12 . A computer-implemented method for managing digital media files in a computer network comprising:

storing, in a memory of a processing server, a first digital media file, a set of derivative files and a logical association of the derivative files with the first digital media file;

generating, via a first computer code module, a first cryptographic token;

associating in the memory the first cryptographic token with the first digital media file;

associating the first cryptographic token with a first wallet address corresponding to a first wallet;

generating, via a second computer code module, a serialized set of non-fungible tokens and associating individual ones of the non-fungible tokens with individual ones of the derivative files; and

associating individual ones of the non-fungible tokens with individual wallet addresses of a second set of wallets;

wherein the first computer code module is configured to limit the initial transferability of the first cryptographic token from the first wallet to one of the second set of wallets; and

wherein the first digital media file is an original file and the set of derivative files comprise derivatives of the original file.

13 . The method of claim 12 wherein the first digital media file comprises a digital art file, a digital music file, a digital book or a digital collectibles file.

14 . The method of claim 12 wherein the first digital media file is an original file and the derivative files comprise a limited edition set of copies, modifications or enhancements of the original file.

15 . The method of claim 12 wherein the first digital media file is an original version of a creative work.

16 . The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of initiating an offer to transfer the first token by communicating an electronic message to the owners of the second set of wallets.

17 . The method of claim 12 wherein a first sale or other transfer of the first cryptographic token comprises communicating an electronic message to the owners of the second set of wallets to notify them of an intent to transfer the first cryptographic token, permitting offer messages only from second set of wallet addresses and transferring the first cryptographic token to the one of the second set of wallets associated with an accepted offer.

18 . The method of claim 17 wherein any subsequent transfer of the first cryptographic token from the one of the second set of wallets associated with the accepted offer is not limited to transfer to the one of the second set of wallets.

19 . The method of claim 12 wherein the first computer code module comprises a first smart contract configured to limit transferability of the first token to an owner of the derivative files.

20 . The method of claim 12 wherein the second computer code module is configured to manage aspects of a transfer of the NFTs and rights of the corresponding NFT owner to acquire the first token associated with the original file.

21 . The method of claim 12 wherein the NFTs representing ownership of the derivative files are configured to give the corresponding NFT owners an exclusive right to participate in an offering to acquire ownership of the original file.

22 . The method of claim 12 wherein the step of associating the first cryptographic token with a corresponding first wallet includes associating the first cryptographic token with the first wallet via a blockchain or other decentralized registry.

Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63169506 · Apr 1, 2021
Related Publication 20230053969A1 · Feb 23, 2023
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