Patent ID: 6434535
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: G06F,G06Q

Abstract:
A method of distributing electronic content from a vendor server to a client device via a network infrastructure which includes a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol Network and for payment to a vendor of the electronic content, said method utilizing a permanent unique identifier stored on a piece of destination media on which the electronic content is to be stored to associate the electronic content with only said piece of media and utilizing a predetermined value stored on said piece of media as payment for the electronic content, said method comprising:contacting the vendor server via the network infrastructure; transmitting said unique identifier of said piece of destination media to the vendor server; communicating, via said network infrastructure information from said vendor server to media tracking server to determine if said unique identifier is valid and to determine a remaining balance of said predetermined value of said piece of media; encrypting said electronic content into an encrypted format having said unique identifier as a key; communicating, via the network infrastructure, said encrypted format of said electronic content to said piece of media; and writing the electronic content to said piece of media in accordance with said unique identifier such that the electronic content may be accessed for use from only said piece of media having said unique identifier.