Abstract:
Systems and methods of partnering content creators with content partners online are disclosed. In an exemplary implementation a method may include receiving registration information from a content partner and building a profile describing desired creative content for the content partner and receiving creative content. Based on at least the profile, the method may include determining whether a match exists between a content partner and the creative content. If a match is found, the method may include providing the content partner access to the creative content, and extending an invitation for the content partner to acquire rights in the creative content.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application contains subject matter related to co-owned U.S. patent application for “Systems and Methods of Brokering Creative Content Onlille” of Douglas W. Cole (Docket No. 200500150-1) filed on the same day herewith and incorporated herein for all that is disclosed. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The described subject matter relates to creative content, and more particularly to systems and methods of partnering content creators with content partners online.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     In order for many artists to be successful, at least financially, they need backing from the art industry, such as, e.g., recording companies, network/cable television, movie producers, art dealers, or publishing houses. However, submitting creative works (e.g., paintings, photographs, movie or television scripts, literary compilations, music, and other artwork) to those working in the art industry is often difficult and discouraging for the typical artist. Much of the art industry will only deal with agents, and the best agents have exclusive client lists. Therefore, unless the artist has “connections” (e.g., family members or close personal friends) in the art industry or happens to be “discovered” by someone in the art industry, the artist&#39;s work may go unnoticed.  
         [0004]     Artists may gain exposure in the art industry by participating in contests or talent shows. Although the top contestants may receive a contract or be introduced to top agents, ultimately the goal of such contests is for the contest sponsor to “discover” new talent. The other contestants may receive a consolation prize and their ranking relative to the other contestants (e.g., fifth place), but are otherwise turned away. The artists typically do not receive any substantive feedback for improving their creative works.  
         [0005]     The Internet has also provided a medium for some artists to present and/or sell their creative works. Internet sites include online galleries for posting pictures, online music stores for posting music, and even online publishers. However, these Internet sites only provide the artist with a forum for presenting and/or selling their creative works over the Internet. The owners of these Internet sites typically do not work with agents or others in the art industry. Nor do the artists receive any substantive feedback for improving their creative works. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is a high-level illustration of an exemplary networked computer system which may be implemented for brokering creative content online.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of exemplary functional modules of a broker service.  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating exemplary user registration and corresponding user profile for a broker service.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a high-level diagram illustrating exemplary queues for use with a broker service.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operations which may be implemented by a broker service to have creative content reviewed.  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operations which may be implemented by a broker service for matching an agent with creative content.  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operations which may be implemented by a broker service for selling creative content.  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary computing device that may be utilized for brokering creative content online. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]     Briefly, systems and methods described herein may be implemented as an “online agent” to broker any of a wide variety of creative works to consumers, commercial content distributors, content developers, agents, and others in the relevant industry in a secure, timely, and cost-effective manner. Exemplary systems and methods may be implemented on at least two levels to provide feedback to content creators based on peer review and/or industry review of their creative content. Content creators may also be matched with one or more content partners (e.g., agents, studios, and buyers).  
         [0015]     In an exemplary embodiment, a content creator (i.e., either the artist or a person acting on behalf of the artist) uploads creative content in electronic format to a host for brokering the creative content online (generally referred to herein as the “brokering service”). The content creator may agree to review at least a portion of creative content (e.g., abstracts, summaries, or the entire work) posted by other users in exchange for peer review of his or her own creative content. Alternatively, the content creator may request (e.g., for a fee) to have his or her creative content reviewed by a contract reviewer, such as an industry expert or other qualified reviewer. In any event, the content creator receives feedback based on the review.  
         [0016]     In another exemplary embodiment, creative content may be reviewed using a multi-tiered approach, wherein creative content that satisfies an initial approval threshold (e.g., 60% peer approval rating) may then be reviewed at a higher tier (e.g., by professional reviewers).  
         [0017]     In other exemplary embodiments, the broker service may facilitate a sale of the creative content, or even a partnership between the content creator and an agent or studio. At least a portion of creative content (e.g., abstracts, summaries, or the entire work) may be provided to agents and buyers on a first-come, first-served basis to pique their interest and instill a sense of urgency for purchasing the creative content or representing the content creator as his or her agent.  
         [0018]     In still other exemplary embodiments, a fee structure may be implemented wherein a fee is charged for receiving and storing the user&#39;s creative content, for reviewing creative content, and/or for partnering the content creator with an agent or buyer. Fees may also be charged to content partners, e.g., for providing access to “fresh” creative content.  
         [0019]     It is noted that operations described herein may be embodied as logic instructions on a computer-readable medium. When executed on a processor, the logic instructions cause a general purpose computing device to be programmed as a special-purpose machine that implements the described operations.  
         [0000]     Exemplary Systems  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a high-level illustration of an exemplary networked computer system  100  (e.g., the Internet) which may be implemented for brokering creative content online. The networked computer system  100  may include one or more communication networks  110 , such as a local area network (LAN) and/or wide area network (WAN). A host  120  may be implemented in the networked computer system  100  to broker any of a wide variety of creative content online.  
         [0021]     Host  120  may include one or more computing systems, such as a server  122  with computer-readable storage  124 . Host  120  may execute a broker application  130  implemented in software, as described in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 2 . Host  120  may also provide services to other computing or data processing systems or devices. For example, host  120  may also provide transaction processing services, email services, etc.  
         [0022]     Host  120  may be provided on the network  110  via a communication connection, such as a dial-up, cable, or DSL connection via an Internet service provider (ISP). Host  120  may be accessed directly via the network  110 , or via a network site  140 . In an exemplary embodiment, network site  140  may also include a web portal on a third-party venue (e.g., a commercial Internet site), which facilitates a connection for one or more clients with host  120  (e.g., via back-end link  145 ). In another exemplary embodiment, portal icons may be provided (e.g., on third-party venues, pre-installed on computer or appliance desktops, etc.) to facilitate a direct link to the host  120 .  
         [0023]     The term “client” as used herein refers to a computing device through which one or more users (e.g., content creators and content partners) may access the broker service. For purposes of illustration, users may include one or more content creators in a content creator pool  150  (e.g., accessing network  110  via computing devices  155   a - c ), one or more reviewers in a reviewer pool  160  (e.g., accessing network  110  via computing devices  165   a - c ), one or more buyers in a buyer pool  170  (e.g., accessing network  110  via computing devices  175   a - c ), and/or one or more agents in an agent pool  180  (e.g., accessing network  110  via computing devices  185   a - c ).  
         [0024]     Before continuing, it is noted that client computing devices  155 - 185  may include any of a wide variety of computing systems, such as a stand-alone personal desktop or laptop computer (PC), workstation, personal digital assistant (PDA), or appliance, to name only a few examples. Each of the client computing devices may include memory, storage, and a degree of data processing capability at least sufficient to manage a connection to the broker application  130  either directly via network  110  to host  120  or indirectly (e.g., via network site  140 ). Client computing devices may connect to network  110  via a communication connection, such as a dial-up, cable, or DSL connection via an Internet service provider (ISP).  
         [0025]     In an exemplary embodiment, a content creator  150  may upload his or her creative content to the host  120 . Broker application  130  processes the creative content and delivers the creative content to one or more other users. For example, one or more peer reviewers and/or contract reviewers (e.g., industry experts or other qualified reviewers) in the reviewer pool  160  may be invited (e.g., via email) to review the creative content. The broker application  130  may process the reviews and provide feedback to the content creator. In another example, one or more content partners (e.g., buyers  170  or agents  180 ) may be invited to review, purchase rights to the creative content, etc. The broker service may also facilitate a partnership between the content creator and the content partner.  
         [0026]     It is noted that the client “pools”  150 - 180  in  FIG. 1  are shown only for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. For example, in addition to “dedicated” (or contract) reviewers, a reviewer may also be a member of the content creator pool  150 , the buyer pool  170  and/or the agent pool  180 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of functional modules of a broker application. Exemplary broker application  200  may be implemented in computer-readable program code executable by one or more computing systems in a network such as, e.g., the Internet. For example, broker application  200  may be a web-based application executing at a network server (e.g., server  122  in  FIG. 1 ) and various functional modules may be implemented as applets executing at a computing device (e.g., computing devices  155 - 185  in  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0028]     Briefly, broker application  200  may receive creative content  210  from a user in electronic format (e.g., jpg for graphics, pdf for text, mpeg for audio/visual). Creative content  210  may include, for example, but is not limited to literary compilations or television/movie scripts  212 , photographs or paintings  214 , audio and/or video works  216 , or any of a wide variety of other works.  
         [0029]     Creative content  210  may be stored in computer-readable storage  220 , where it may be accessed by the broker application  200 . For example, broker application  200  may access creative content  210  and provide it to reviewers, agents, studios, and/or buyers. The creative content  210  may be stored for a predetermined duration, allowing users to search online archives of creative content. The creative content  210  may be purged after a predetermined time to free storage.  
         [0030]     Broker application  200  may also generate a variety of output  245  for the user. For example, broker application  200  may compile feedback  246  for the content providers based on review of the creative content  210 . Broker application  200  may also generate contracts  247  for facilitating a partnership between a content creator and content partner. Other output  248  may also be provided to a user, such as, e.g., sales materials, contact information, reports, etc.  
         [0031]     Broker application  200  may be implemented as one or more functional modules, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In an exemplary embodiment, broker application  200  may include an interface module  260 . Interface module  260  may include a graphical user interface (GUI), e.g., in a web browser. Interface module  260  may be provided to interface with users.  
         [0032]     Interface module  260  may be operatively associated with a number of different modules. For example, interface module  260  may be operatively associated with a registration module  261  to register users with the broker service, an authentication module  262  to verify a user&#39;s credential during registration, and a processing module  263  for processing the registration and generating a user profile (see, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ). Interface module  260  may also be operatively associated with other functional modules (not shown), such as, e.g., a payment processing module for implementing a fee structure for the broker service.  
         [0033]     Registration module  261  may be implemented to register one or more users with the broker service. For example, users may register as content creators who submit creative content, reviewers who review creative content and provide feedback to the content creator, agents or studios who may be interested in representing content creators, and/or buyers who may be interested in purchasing creative content.  
         [0034]     During registration, the broker application  200  may receive information about the user. Content creators may also be required to agree to a terms of use policy and/or legal disclaimer before receiving the creative content  210 . In an exemplary embodiment, the user may also be provided with basic information on protecting his or her intellectual property rights in the creative content before receiving the creative content  210 . Content partners may also be required to agree to a terms of use policy and/or legal disclaimer, e.g., regarding the artist&#39;s rights.  
         [0035]     Broker application  200  may use the user registration to build one or more reviewer data stores  230  for inviting reviewers  240 . Reviewers  240  may register with the broker service to be listed in the reviewer data stores  230 . In an exemplary embodiment, other artists may register as peer reviewers  232 , and agents, buyers, or other industry experts may register as contract reviewers  234 . Peer reviewers  232  may receive free or reduced rate review of their own creative content in exchange for registering as a peer reviewer. Contract reviewers  234  may be paid or receive other benefits for reviewing creative content. By way of example, other benefits may include agents or buyers having priority access to fresh creative content before others in the industry have access to it.  
         [0036]     Broker application  200  may also use the client registration to build one or more partner data stores  250  for matching the user with a content partner (e.g., an agent or buyer). Content partners may register with the broker application  200  to be listed in the partner data stores  250 . In an exemplary embodiment, agents, buyers, other industry experts, and even other artists may register as content partners. Partners may register under one or more categories (e.g., by genre). Partners may be selected based on any number of criteria. For example, a content partner may receive priority access to the creative content (e.g., for bidding) if the content partner previously reviewed the creative content. Partners may also pay a fee for a higher position in the partner data store  250 .  
         [0037]     Optionally, the broker application  200  may also receive information about the creative content  210  being submitted. This registration information may be used to categorize and better manage the creative content  210  and to invite reviewers, agents (or studios), and buyers having a relevant background to review, purchase, etc. the creative content  210 . In another exemplary embodiment, broker application  200  uses registration information to aid in identifying creative content  210  as average, good, or excellent (e.g., based on the content creator&#39;s background or prior submission history) inviting reviewers to review the creative content  210 .  
         [0038]     Broker application  200  may also include a content manager  264  for managing creative content  210  that is received from content creators, e.g., after registration. For example, content manager  264  may be implemented to import creative content  210  in electronic format, store the creative content  210  in content storage  220 , and invite reviewers and/or partners to review, offer to buy, etc. the creative content  210 .  
         [0039]     Broker application  200  may also include a reviewer engine  270 . Reviewer engine  270  may be operatively associated with reviewer data stores  230  to identify reviewers (e.g., peer reviewers  232  or contract reviewers  234 ). Reviewer engine  270  may include a reviewer sort module  275  to identify reviewers listed in the reviewer data stores  230  and invite reviewers to review creative content  210 .  
         [0040]     Reviewers  240  may provide their reviews of the creative content  210  to the broker application  200  for processing. In an exemplary embodiment, the review may include a content ranking (e.g., on a scale of 1 to 10) in one or more categories (e.g., sound or video quality, overall presentation). The review may be received from the reviewers  240  at I/O  280  and processed to compiling feedback  246  for the user. Broker application  200  may deliver the feedback  246  to the user, e.g., via email, notification upon login, or by the user accessing a webpage to view the feedback  246 .  
         [0041]     Broker application  200  may also include a partner engine  290 . Partner engine  290  may be operatively associated with partner data stores  250  to identify content partners (e.g., agents  252  or buyers  254 ) for the user&#39;s creative content. Partner engine  290  may include a partner sort module  295  to identify partners listed in the partner data stores  250 . Operation of the partner engine  290  and partner sort module  295  is similar to operation of the reviewer engine  270  and reviewer sort module  275 , and both are explained in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 4 .  
         [0042]     Broker application  200  may also be implemented to partner a user and content partner (e.g., agent or buyer). In an exemplary embodiment, broker application  200  may deliver contact information for the user to the potential agent or vice versa. Alternatively, broker application  200  may mediate communication between the user and content partner (e.g., to protect the anonymity of either or both the user and partner). In another exemplary embodiment, broker application  200  may deliver the contact information for both parties to an advisor (e.g., one or more attorneys) to handle further interactions (e.g., contract negotiations) for the user and content partner.  
         [0043]     It is noted that exemplary broker application  200  is shown and described herein for purposes of illustration and is not intended to be limiting. For example, the functional components shown in  FIG. 2  do not need to be encapsulated as separate modules. In addition, other functional components (not shown) may also be provided and are not limited to those shown and described herein.  
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a user registration and corresponding user profile. Exemplary user registration  300  may be generated as part of an interactive registration process between the broker service and a user, such as, e.g., by the user entering data into form fields in an electronic form provided by the broker service on an Internet site. The user registration  300  and user profile  350  may be implemented, e.g., to register a user with the broker service as a content provider, a reviewer, and/or a content partner.  
         [0045]     User registration  300  may include one or more data categories. Exemplary data categories may include, but are not limited to, identifying information  310 , matching criteria,  320 , qualifications  330 , and content interest  340 . It is noted that any number of data categories  310 - 340  may be provided to solicit information from a user registering with the broker service.  
         [0046]     Data categories  310 - 340  may also include one or more subcategories. For purposes of illustration, the identifying information data category  310  may include a name subcategory  312  (for the user&#39;s name) and a firm subcategory  314  (for an agency name, if applicable). Other subcategories (not shown) in the identifying information data category  310  may include, e.g., mailing address, email address, telephone number, etc.  
         [0047]     The matching criteria category  320  enables the user to select one or more types of registration, e.g., as an agent  322 , a reviewer  324 , and/or a buyer  326 . The qualifications category  330  requests the user to specify, e.g., industry experience  332 , and industry memberships  334 .  
         [0048]     The content interest category  340  enables the user to select one or more types of creative content the user is interested in receiving. In an exemplary embodiment, content interest category  340  may be implemented as a menu structure  341 . The user may click on types of content (e.g., visual works  342  or literary works  343 ) to display a more detailed listing of content available from the broker service. In  FIG. 3 , for example, the user has selected visual works  342 , and then paintings  344 , to display landscapes  345  and portraits  346 . Likewise, the user could select photographs  347  or computer graphics  348 .  
         [0049]     Before continuing, it is noted that the user registration  300  in  FIG. 3  is shown for purposes of illustration only, and is not intended to be limiting in scope. Although providing more detailed data during the registration process may allow the broker service to better match the user with creative content, the user registration  300  is not limited to any particular format or level of detail.  
         [0050]     The user registration  300  may be processed to generate a user profile  350 . User profile  350  may be implemented as a computer readable data structure (e.g., an XML file) including a number of data fields. In an exemplary embodiment, data fields may include a user ID field  360 , user qualifications field  370 , user rank field  380 , user history field  390 , and content interest field  395 .  
         [0051]     The fields  360 - 395  may be generated based on registration data provided by the user, e.g., in the user registration  300 . The registration data may also be included in subfields corresponding to each of the fields  360 - 395 . For example, the user ID field  360  may include subfields  361 - 363  and user qualifications field  370  may include subfields  371 - 372 . More than one level of subfields may also be included. For example, the content interest field  395  may include a photographs subfield  396  and, under that, a portraits subfield  397 . Subfields  398 ,  399  are also shown for purposes of illustration.  
         [0052]     In an exemplary embodiment, the user rank  380  may be determined by the broker service based on registration data provided by the user, e.g., in the user registration  300 . For example, an agent&#39;s rank may be based on how long the agent has been registered with the broker service (e.g., agent history), prior successes in the industry, prior successes with the broker service, industry memberships and other qualifications, standing in the industry, user feedback, credibility (e.g., an agent specializing in cartoons may not be a credible agent for horror films), fees charged, fees paid (e.g., a subscription to the broker service), and/or firm size, to name only a few examples. In another example, a buyer&#39;s rank may be based on how long the buyer has been registered with the broker service (e.g., buyer history), recent purchases using the broker service or otherwise, and price the buyer is willing to pay, to name only a few examples.  
         [0053]     In another exemplary embodiment, the user history  390  may be generated by the broker service based on registration data provided by the user and/or during operation. For example, the user history  390  may be based on an agent&#39;s proclivity for negotiating contracts or a buyer&#39;s purchasing history. The user history  390  may be updated based on events occurring after the initial registration (e.g., a sale using the broker service).  
         [0054]     The user profile  350  may be implemented by the broker service for a number of different purposes. For example, the broker service may access the user profile  350  to identify reviewers, agents, and/or buyers for creative content that has been submitted by a content creator. The broker service may also access the user profile  350  for an agent (or buyer) to determine an agent&#39;s (or buyer&#39;s) rank relative to other agents (or buyers) before inviting an agent (or buyer). The broker service may also access the user profile  350  to match the user with content (e.g., to review, purchase, or represent as an agent) based on the user&#39;s desires, qualifications, and/or experience. The user profile  350  may also be used to facilitate a relationship (e.g., between an agent and a content creator).  
         [0055]      FIG. 4  is a high-level diagram illustrating queues for brokering creative content online. One or more queues  400 ,  410 , and  420  may be implemented by the broker service to automatically categorize and invite reviewers and/or to match users with content partners.  
         [0056]     Queues  400 ,  410 ,  420  may be populated with data entries. In an exemplary implementation, the data entries identify reviewers. Separate queues may be used for separate categories (and/or subcategories) so that a reviewer registered to receive creative content in a particular category (e.g., based on interest, experience, etc.) is placed into the corresponding queue. For purposes of illustration, reviewers registered for music may be placed into queue  400 , reviewers registered for literary works may be placed into queue  410 , and reviewers registered for visual art works may be placed into queue  420 . Of course any number of queues and sub-queues may be implemented (e.g., for different genre within a category such as music).  
         [0057]     Broker service may include one or more sort modules (e.g., reviewer sort  275  in  FIG. 2 ) to automatically identify reviewers using one or more filters in conjunction with the queues  400 ,  410 ,  420 . In an exemplary embodiment, the broker service may automatically determine a category of the creative content (e.g., based on file extension, user responses provided in a survey, etc.). The category (and/or subcategory) may be passed to a category filter  430  which “points” to one or more queues corresponding to the category (and/or subcategory). Once the appropriate queue(s) have been selected by the category filter  430 , a position filter  440  “points” to one or more position within the selected queue (e.g., queue position  412  in  FIG. 4 ) to identify a reviewer for the creative content. In an exemplary implementation, the position filter  440  “points” to a position in the queue based on a first-in first-out (FIFO) or round robin scheme, although other algorithms may also be implemented (e.g., based on the reviewer&#39;s experience, history with the brokering system, a fee-basis, etc.). Queue position  412  may also include contact information (e.g., an email or physical address) for the reviewer enabling the broker service to invite the identified reviewer. Alternatively, the user profile may be invoked to retrieve contact information.  
         [0058]     It is noted that a similar queuing mechanism may be implemented for identifying content partners. That is, content partners may register in one or more categories (e.g., based on interest, experience, etc.) and be listed in the corresponding queue. Again, the content partner&#39;s position in the queue may be determined on a FIFO basis or other suitable algorithm (e.g., paid subscribers may receive a higher position in the queue than non-paying subscribers). In an exemplary implementation, it is in the interest of the content partner to be selected more frequently and ahead of other content partners to increase their odds of discovering “new talent.” 
         [0059]     It is noted that the exemplary systems discussed above are provided for purposes of illustration. Still other implementations are also contemplated.  
         [0000]     Exemplary Operations  
         [0060]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operations which may be implemented for having creative content reviewed. Operations  500  may be embodied as logic instructions on one or more computer-readable medium. When executed on a processor, the logic instructions cause a general purpose computing device to be programmed as a special-purpose machine that implements the described operations. In an exemplary implementation, the components and connections depicted in the figures may be used for brokering creative content online.  
         [0061]     In operation  510 , creative content may be received, e.g., by the broker service. For example, the creative content may be uploaded in electronic format over a networked computer system. In operation  520 , the creative content may be provided to peer reviewers and/or contract reviewers. In an exemplary embodiment, reviewers may be self-categorized during a registration process thereby enabling the system to invite reviewers who have expressed an interest in the subject matter, have a particular background or experience with the subject matter, may be interested in purchasing the subject matter or representing the creator, etc.  
         [0062]     In operation  525 , feedback may be received from the reviewers, and in operation  530 , the feedback may be compiled for the user. For purposes of illustration, reviewers may provide feedback via a standardized review form. The standardized review form may include a number of categories and enable the reviewer to indicate a score in each of the categories. For example, the reviewer may provide scores for a literary work on a scale of 1 to 10 in the following areas: writing style, plot, audience appeal, etc. Any number of categories may be provided, striking a balance between the time required to provide feedback and a review that is meaningful to the content creator. Although use of a standardized review form is not required, such use lends itself well to computerized compilation techniques, e.g., allowing the system to provide the content creator with standardized feedback (e.g., an overall score or content ranking). In other examples, the reviewers may provide written comments, marked-up versions containing comments and suggestions, etc.  
         [0063]     In operation  540 , a determination is made whether a content partner is interested in the creative content. Content partners may include potential buyers, distributors, agents, etc. In another example, another user accessing the broker service may express interest in the creative content posted online before, during, or after review. As explained above for the reviewers, content partners may also be self-categorized during a registration process thereby enabling the system to match creative content to content partners who have expressed an interest in the subject matter, have a particular background or experience with the subject matter, may be interested in purchasing the subject matter or representing the creator, etc.  
         [0064]     If a content partner is not available for the creative content, operations may end at step  550 . For example, the creative content may be returned to the user and/or removed from storage at the broker service. If a content partner is available for the creative content, the user may be matched with the content partner in operation  560 . In an exemplary embodiment, the broker service may provide contact information to the content creator and/or content partner(s). In another exemplary embodiment, the broker service may provide “live” assistance with contract negotiations.  
         [0065]     In an exemplary embodiment, a fee structure may also be implemented for one or more of the operations shown in  FIG. 5 . For purposes of illustration, a fee may be charged for accepting creative content in operation  510 , e.g., to cover the cost of storage. Content creators may also be charged a fee to have their biography (links to their web page, etc.) posted online along with their creative content. A fee may also be charged for the review in operation  520 . For example, the content creator may be charged a fee to skip peer review and have his or her creative content reviewed by contract reviewers. In addition, different fees may be charged for various levels of review, and or resubmitting the same creative content after it has been modified based on a previous review. A fee may also be charged for matching the content creator with a content partner and/or any follow-on deals brokered with content partners matched by the broker service. Alternatively, a portion of transaction fees (e.g., sales, contracts) may be collected for matching the user with a content partner. Content partners may also be charged a listing fee.  
         [0066]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operations  600  which may be implemented for matching an agent with creative content. An agent may be an independent agent (or agency) or a studio. The operations described below with reference to  FIG. 6  may be implemented for independent agents (or agencies) and studios.  
         [0067]     In operation  610 , an agent registration may be received, e.g., by the broker service. For purposes of illustration, the agent registration may identify the agent (e.g., agency name, size, fees charged, etc.), provide agent qualifications (e.g., industry experience, industry memberships, prior success in the relevant industry, etc.), and identify content interest (e.g., genre and subcategories).  
         [0068]     In operation  620 , the agent may be authenticated. For example, the broker service may verify industry memberships and/or standing in the industry. If the agent cannot be authenticated, the broker service may allow the agent to clarify credentials or provide additional qualifications that can be verified. Alternatively, the agent registration may be rejected in operation  625 .  
         [0069]     In operation  630 , an agent profile may be generated. In an exemplary embodiment, the agent profile may be based on processing of the agent registration (e.g., in operation  610 ). The agent profile may include, among other things, the type of content that the agent is seeking. The agent profile may also include an agent rank.  
         [0070]     In operation  640 , the agent may be provided access to creative content. In an exemplary embodiment, the agent may be matched with creative content based on the type of content the agent is seeking. For example, the agent profile may be used to match the agent with the desired type of creative content. The agent rank may also be used to provide higher ranking agents with access to the creative content before lower ranking agents. In another exemplary embodiment, the agent may be matched with creative content that has already been reviewed and recommended (e.g., by professional reviewers). This referral process may even be required by some agents (e.g., studios or well-regarded agencies).  
         [0071]     In operation  650 , a determination is made whether the agent has accepted (i.e., expressed an interest in) the creative content matched to the agent. If the agent has accepted the creative content, a partnership between the agent and the content creator may be facilitated in operation  655 . If the agent has not accepted the creative content, a determination is made in operation  660  whether the agent has rejected the creative content.  
         [0072]     If the agent has rejected the creative content, the broker service may generate a report for the content creator notifying the content creator of the rejection. The report may also include substantive commentary, e.g., for improving and resubmitting the creative content. Alternatively, if the agent has rejected the creative content, the broker service may return to operation  640  and match the agent with other creative content. The broker service may also deliver the rejected creative content to another agent for review (e.g., the next agent in the queue).  
         [0073]     If the creative content has not been rejected yet, a determination is made in operation  670  whether a period of exclusivity for reviewing the creative content has expired. The period of exclusivity may be implemented so that the agent may review creative content before it is passed on to other agents. However, if the agent fails to act within a predetermined time (e.g., 5 business days, 1 week, 1 month, etc.) the broker service may automatically invite another agent for review (or return it to the creator). This period of exclusivity encourages the agent to review the creative content in a timely manner and helps keep the creative content “fresh” for other agents who may be positioned later in the queue.  
         [0074]     It is noted that the period of exclusivity does not need to be the same for all creative content and may depend on various considerations. For example, the period of exclusivity may depend at least in part on the type of creative content. In another example, the period of exclusivity may depend at least in part on the content creator&#39;s reputation, or may even be assigned by the content creator. In addition, studios may have a longer time to review creative content because there are fewer studios than independent agents (or agencies).  
         [0075]     If the period of exclusivity has expired, operations may return to operation  640  to match the agent with other creative content. Alternatively, operations may return to operation  650  so that the agent has an opportunity to review the creative content until the period of exclusivity expires.  
         [0076]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operations  700  which may be implemented for bidding on creative content. In operation  710 , the broker service may receive and process a buyer registration. As noted above, any user may register as a buyer, including users who are also registered as reviewers and/or agents. For purposes of illustration, the buyer registration may identify the buyer, e.g., by name. The buyer registration may also indicate whether the buyer is a volume buyer (e.g., studio or gallery) and may specify a price range. The buyer registration may also identify content interest (e.g., genre and subcategories).  
         [0077]     In operation  720 , the buyer may be authenticated. The broker service may independently authenticate the buyer, e.g., based on prior purchases, or may use external indicators, such as eBay® Internet auction service user ratings. If the buyer cannot be authenticated, e.g., due to a poor payment history, the buyer registration may be rejected.  
         [0078]     In operation  730 , a buyer profile may be generated. In an exemplary embodiment, the buyer profile may be based on processing of the buyer registration (e.g., in operation  710 ). The buyer profile may include, among other things, the type of content that the buyer is seeking. The buyer profile may also include a buyer rank.  
         [0079]     It is noted that the buyer profile may be used by both the broker service to match the buyer with creative content that interests the buyer, and by the content creator. For example, the content creator may accept a lower bid from a gallery owner over a higher bid from an individual, in the hopes of doing future business with the gallery owner. In another example, the content creator may only accept bids from buyers having a buyer rank that meets a predetermined threshold (e.g., 4 out of 5 stars).  
         [0080]     In operation  740 , one or more buyer may be provided access to creative content. In an exemplary embodiment, the buyer may be matched with creative content based on the type of content the buyer is seeking. For example, the buyer profile may be used to match the buyer with the desired type of creative content. The buyer rank may also be used to provide higher ranking buyers with creative content before lower ranking buyers. In another exemplary embodiment, discerning buyers may also be provided with a review and/or recommendation to buy the creative content (e.g., from professional reviewers).  
         [0081]     In operation  750 , the broker service may receive one or more bids to buy creative content that has been submitted to the buyers (e.g., in operation  740 ). In operation  760  the bids may be provided to the content creator to accept or reject. If a bid is accepted in operation  770 , a sale between the buyer and the content creator may be facilitated in operation  775 . If the bid has not been accepted, the buyer may be notified and operations may end at  780 .  
         [0082]     Optionally, the content creator may provide a counter-offer to a buyer&#39;s bid. The broker service may provide the counter-offer to the buyer for consideration, and a sale may be arranged if the buyer accepts the counter-offer.  
         [0083]     Also optionally, operations  700  for bidding on creative content may include a period of exclusivity. According to an exemplary embodiment, creative content may be provided to one or more buyers to bid on before being provided to other buyers (e.g., based on rank). For example, the content creator may request bids first from gallery owners, before opening bidding to other buyers.  
         [0084]     The operations shown and described herein are provided to illustrate exemplary implementations of brokering creative content online. It is noted that the operations are not limited to the ordering shown. Still other operations may also be implemented for brokering creative content online.  
         [0000]     Exemplary Computing Device  
         [0085]      FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary computing device that can be utilized for brokering creative content online. Computing device  830  includes one or more processors or processing units  832 , a system memory  834 , and a bus  836  that couples various system components including the system memory  834  to processors  832 . The bus  836  represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memory  834  includes read only memory (ROM)  838  and random access memory (RAM)  840 . A basic input/output system (BIOS)  842 , containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computing device  830 , such as during start-up, is stored in ROM  838 .  
         [0086]     Computing device  830  further includes a hard disk drive  844  for reading from and writing to a hard disk (not shown), and may include a magnetic disk drive  846  for reading from and writing to a removable magnetic disk  848 , and an optical disk drive  850  for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk  852  such as a CD ROM or other optical media. The hard disk drive  844 , magnetic disk drive  846 , and optical disk drive  850  are connected to the bus  836  by a SCSI interface  854  or some other appropriate interface. The drives and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for computing device  830 . Although the exemplary environment described herein employs a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk  848  and a removable optical disk  852 , other types of computer-readable media such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), and the like, may also be used in the exemplary operating environment.  
         [0087]     A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk  844 , magnetic disk  848 , optical disk  852 , ROM  838 , or RAM  840 , including an operating system  858 , one or more application programs  860 , other program modules  862 , and program data  864 . A user may enter commands and information into computing device  830  through input devices such as a keyboard  866  and a pointing device  868 . Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are connected to the processing unit  832  through an interface  870  that is coupled to the bus  836 . A monitor  872  or other type of display device is also connected to the bus  836  via an interface, such as a video adapter  874 .  
         [0088]     Computing device  830  may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer  876 . The remote computer  876  may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to computing device  830 . The logical connections depicted include a LAN  880  and a WAN  882 .  
         [0089]     When used in a LAN networking environment, computing device  830  is connected to the local network  880  through a network interface or adapter  884 . When used in a WAN networking environment, computing device  830  typically includes a modem  886  or other means for establishing communications over the wide area network  882 , such as the Internet. The modem  886 , which may be internal or external, is connected to the bus  836  via a serial port interface  856 . In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computing device  830 , or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used.  
         [0090]     Generally, the data processors of computing device  830  are programmed by means of instructions stored at different times in the various computer-readable storage media of the computer. Programs and operating systems may distributed, for example, on floppy disks, CD-ROMs, or electronically, and are installed or loaded into the secondary memory of a computer. At execution, the programs are loaded at least partially into the computer&#39;s primary electronic memory.  
         [0091]     In addition to the specific implementations explicitly set forth herein, other aspects and implementations will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and illustrated implementations be considered as examples only, with a true scope and spirit of the following claims.