Patent ID: 7730216
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of sharing content among social network nodes, comprising the following steps: connecting, by a first of a plurality of social network nodes, to an aggregation node, wherein the first of the plurality of social network nodes comprises embedded peer software enabling content sharing with others of the plurality of social network nodes that connect to the aggregation node; sending, by the aggregation node, an invitation to the others of the plurality of social network nodes to join the aggregation node, wherein each of the others of the plurality of social network nodes comprise embedded peer software; in response to the invitation, connecting, by each of the others of the plurality of social network nodes, to the aggregation node; forming a virtual peer comprising the aggregation node and the plurality of social network nodes, wherein all nodes participating in the virtual peer are collectively addressable by a unique identifier; obtaining, by the aggregation node, metadata describing at least one portion of selected pieces of digital content available for sharing from one of the plurality of social network nodes; and receiving level rights corresponding to the digital content from the one of the plurality of social network nodes, wherein the level rights identify access rights by the others of the plurality of social network nodes to the digital content.