Abstract:
A creative marketplace system and a computer-based method for marketing creative media include providing a computer system, the computer system defining a database. Inputs are received with said computer system from a plurality of potential sellers of media content and a plurality of potential purchasers of media content. Wherein, the inputs received from a potential seller include at least a portion of media content and media content data. The media content data includes a characteristic of media content and/or a characteristic of the potential seller of that media content. Wherein, the receiving inputs from a potential purchaser include receiving a selection of media content desired. The media content desired is selected from a characteristic of media content and/or a characteristic of the potential seller of that media content. Media content data is submitted that corresponds with media content desired by at least one potential buyer. The media content and media content data may be required to be submitted to a quality review process prior to submitting to at least one potential buyer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a creative marketplace system and a computer-based method for marketing creative media. The invention can be used to market media content in the book-publishing industry, the music industry, the script-writing industry, the jingle industry, and the like. 
     Arranging purchases, such as copyright assignment, licensing, or the like, between a potential seller, such as a writer, and a potential purchaser, such as an editor or publisher, can be frustrating for both parties. The potential seller has typically needed to submit his/her work to a single potential purchaser at a time and await a period of time before moving on to the next. Often the potential seller receives no information feedback from the potential purchaser other than an ultimate rejection letter. 
     The potential purchaser is also frustrated by the present system. Hundreds and even thousands of unsolicited submittals may be received and require review. Most of the time, individual submittals are of no interest to the potential purchaser. However, all must be reviewed to avoid missing the hidden gem. Often, the potential purchaser will be looking for a particular genre of work or will have certain requirements regarding the type of writer it is looking for. For example, an editor may only wish to work with writers that have already published or even those who have received awards for their work. However, little is available to assist the potential purchaser in organizing the myriad of submittals that are received. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a computer-based method and apparatus that facilitates arrangements between potential sellers of media content, such as song writers, authors, or the like, and potential buyers of media contents, such as editors, publishers, music arrangers, or the like. This is accomplished in an efficient manner that increases the likelihood of the interests of the potential buyer matching those of the potential seller. 
     A creative marketplace system and a computer-based method for marketing creative media, according to an aspect of the invention, include providing a computer system, the computer system defining a database. Inputs are received with said computer system from a plurality of potential sellers of media content and a plurality of potential purchasers of media content. Wherein, the inputs received from a potential seller include at least a portion of the media content and media content data. The media content data includes a characteristic of the media content and/or a characteristic of the potential seller of that media content. Wherein, the receiving inputs from a potential purchaser include receiving a selection of media content desired. The media content desired is selected from a characteristic of media content and/or a characteristic of the potential seller of that media content. Media content data is submitted that corresponds with media content desired by at least one potential buyer. The media content and media content data may be required to be submitted to a quality review process prior to submitting to at least one potential buyer. 
     These and other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a creative marketplace system, according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a process for a potential seller of media content to submit a work to quality review; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a process for a potential seller of media content to submit a work to a potential buyer; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a process for a potential buyer of media content to identify media content of interest; 
         FIG. 5  is a view of a computer display used by a potential seller of media content for selecting genre information regarding particular media content; 
         FIG. 6  is the same view of a computer display in  FIG. 5  illustrating the selection of other information regarding the particular media content; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of a computer display used by a potential seller of media content for searching based on characteristics of potential buyers of media content; 
         FIG. 8  is a view of a computer display used by a potential seller of media content for reviewing search results for potential buyers of media content; 
         FIG. 9  is a view of a computer display used by a potential seller of media content for reviewing a list of potential buyers of media content developed for that particular potential seller of media content; 
         FIG. 10  is a view of a computer display used by a potential seller of media content for establishing information regarding that potential seller of media content; 
         FIG. 11  is a view of a computer display used by a potential seller of media content for monitoring activity by a potential buyer of media content; 
         FIG. 12  is a view of a computer display used by a potential buyer of media content for tracking media content submitted to that potential buyer; 
         FIG. 13   a  is a view of a computer display used by a potential buyer of media content for setting preferences for targeted submissions of media content; 
         FIG. 13   b  is a view of a computer display used by a potential buyer of media content for establishing a set of criteria for use in searching a pool of media content; 
         FIG. 14  is the same view of a computer display as  FIG. 13  illustrating establishing a different type of criteria for use in searching a pool of media content; 
         FIG. 15  is a view of a computer display used by a potential buyer of media content for viewing results of a search based on the criteria established by the display in  FIG. 13  or  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a view of a computer display used by a potential buyer of media content for establishing a profile of that potential buyer of media content; and 
         FIG. 17  is a view of a computer display used by a potential buyer of media content for establishing standard responses for use in communicating with potential sellers who have submitted media content to that potential buyer of media content. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now specifically to the drawings, and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a creative marketplace system  20  includes a computer system  22  made up of a host computer  24 , a plurality of potential seller computers  26 , and one or more potential buyer computers  28  ( FIG. 1 ). Potential buyer computers  28 , potential seller computers  26 , and host computer  24  are interconnected, such as by a network  30 . Network  30  may be a global network, such as the Internet, but may, alternatively, be a wide area network, a local area network, or the like. Host computer  24  may be a hosted website on global network  30  or a separate computer or server. Potential buyer and potential seller computers may be personal computers, or the like. 
     Creative marketplace system  20  provides a computer-based system for marketing creative media. Creative media is any creative work that is embodied on a media of any form. The creative work may be a work of authorship in the copyright sense. However, it may encompass other works that are not subject to copyright protection. Examples of creative media include, but are not limited to, books; articles for newspapers, magazines or blogs; scripts; song scores; musical performances; jingles; cell phone ring tones; and the like. Therefore, it should be understood that, although the invention is illustrated in a creative marketplace system for manuscripts, the invention is not limited to manuscripts and is intended to encompass a wide range of works. 
     A creative marketplace system performs a computer-based method for marketing creative media. To this extent, host computer  24  is programmed with a process  32  for a potential seller of media content to submit a work to quality review ( FIG. 2 ). Process  32  begins with a new creative media, such as a manuscript, which is ready to submit at  34 . Process  32  includes a preview function  36  that allows the writer to preview what the reviewer, or first reader, would see when performing a quality control review. This allows the writer to make appropriate changes to the title, synopsis, type, subgenres, and the like. When the creative media is ready for submission for quality review, a checkout page  38  allows the writer to submit identifying information, including credit card information. A function  40  is provided to allow the writer to update credit card information prior to check-out verification at  42  of the credit card. In the illustrative embodiment, the writer is charged a fee for submittal of a creative media to the quality review submission and for each submission to a potential buyer, such as an editor. Also, in the illustrative embodiment, the writer is provided a credit of the amount paid for quality review upon submittal of the creative media to the first editor. However, other payment schemes, such as auctioning media, content are possible. Process  32  then allows the creative media to be submitted for quality review at  44 . Quality review provides two essential functions. First, it provides review feedback that is communicated to the writer. This allows the writer to produce a more saleable creative media. Second, it ensures to the potential buyer that media content data provided with respect to the creative media meets certain quality standards, and is accurate. For example, the quality review function may examine the genre, subgenre, and other information provided by the writer in order to ensure its correctness. Also, the quality review function may review information pertaining to the writer, such as whether the writer is published or has received awards, as represented by that writer. Also, an identity check of the writer may be made. The quality function may be performed by a person skilled in literary arts, also referred to as a “first reader”. The function may, alternatively, be performed by a machine, such as by artificial intelligence, or the like. 
     Upon completion of quality review, the creative media is ready to be submitted to a potential buyer. A process for a potential seller of media content to submit a work to a potential buyer is illustrated at  46  ( FIG. 3 ). The submission process begins by selection of whether the submission is to be to a targeted potential buyer, such as an editor, or a general submittal to a pool of non-targeted potential buyers. The targeted selection may be an exclusive selection, wherein the media content is submitted to a single-selected editor who then has a period of time, such as three weeks, to reject the creative media or to enter into negotiations for purchase of that media with the potential seller. Purchase can mean a full assignment of all rights, title, and interest in and to the creative media, a limited license to the media, or any other known form of transfer. For works that have already undergone quality review and having been submitted and rejected by an editor, a submissions tracker function  50  provides for resubmittal of the creative media to another editor or the general pool. The manuscript detail page  52  allows the writer to review at any time the details pertaining to the particular manuscript. 
     In order to assist the submittal of a manuscript to a targeted editor, process  46  includes a search editor&#39;s function  54  allows the writer to search for editors according to characteristics of the editor. For example, the writer may specify certain criteria of editors of interest, such as the genre type, the editor&#39;s publications, as well as subgenre, and the like. Process  46  includes a function at  56  for displaying the results of the search editor&#39;s function. It is then determined at  59  whether the writer designated ( 48 ) the submittal to be a general submission to the pool or a targeted submission. If a general submission is selected, the general submission is confirmed at  58  and the manuscript is submitted to the pool. 
     If it is determined at  59  that the writer selected a targeted selection at  48 , it is determined at  60  whether the targeted selection was a first-time submittal or a resubmitted targeted submittal. If a first-time submittal, the targeted submittal at  62  goes to a check-out page at  64 . The writer is provided with the opportunity to update credit card information at  66 . Checkout verification occurs at  68 , and the targeted submission is confirmed at  70 . The targeted submittal at  62  allows the writer to select an editor and to generate a cover letter for review by that editor. A new targeted submission is determined at  60  as one that has never been previously submitted or has been submitted once previously with no editor action before the particular expiration date. For new submissions, the writer may be provided with a credit for the cost of the quality review process. 
     A resubmittal of a creative media is determined at  60  as one that has been submitted at least twice with no editor action before the prior expiration date. The resubmit occurs at  72 , allows the writer to select a new editor and create a new cover letter. The writer may also indicate who referred the writer to that editor. The targeted submission is made and confirmed at  74 . 
     A process  76  for a potential buyer of media content to identify media content of interest is provided ( FIG. 4 ). Process  76  begins by creative media, such as manuscripts, being in the editor&#39;s in-box at  78 . A manuscript may find its way to an editor&#39;s in-box either from a targeted submission ( 70 ,  74 ) to that editor or by the editor performing a search of the general submissions in the pool of general submissions ( 58 ). One feature of process  76  is that it allows the function to push E-mails to potential buyers. The E-mails may be sent according to a schedule established by the potential buyer and according to characteristics of preferences set by that editor. For example, the potential buyer may wish to receive notification once a week that identifies the targeted transcripts that have been sent that week. This allows the editor both to be apprised of newly submitted articles that meet the criteria established by that editor and to avoid the necessity for the editor to remember to log on to the system to check for new submittals. The editor may receive manuscripts that are targeted to that editor or may receive manuscripts in his/her in-box by conducting a search of manuscripts in the general submission pool ( 58 ) by tools provided with system  20 , as will be explained in more detail below. Process  76  allows the editor to establish manuscript preferences, or desires, at  80 . The manuscript preferences may be, by way of example, according to genre, subgenre, whether the writer is published or has received any awards, and the memberships of the organizations to which the writer belongs. Other functions may be provided with process  80 , such as establishing a vacation message, the frequency that E-mails are to be pushed to the editor, as well as to allow the editor to change passwords, create standard responses, and the like. Process  76  also may provide the editor a function to search manuscripts at  82  whether targeted or from the general pool and to display the search results at  84 . 
     The editor is provided the tools to review submission details at  86 . In the illustrative embodiment, the submission details the editor may be provided include the following information regarding a manuscript: name of writer, genre type, subgenre type, a synopsis and the first three chapters of a book. Other details could be provided as would be apparent to the skilled artisan. The editor may also print out the content of the submission. However, in the illustrative embodiment, the editor is not provided access to the entire manuscript. However, such full availability may be utilized according to the application of the invention. 
     Once the editor reviews a creative media, the editor ultimately determines whether to accept or decline the creative media. When it is determined at  88  that the editor declines the creative media, the editor may create a “no thanks” message at  90 , which may be saved at  92  and subsequently reviewed for subsequent use and then may be sent at  94 . If it is determined that the editor accepts the manuscript at  88 , the editor is provided the tools to contact the writer at  96 , such as by E-mail. The E-mail contact is managed through system  20  and avoids providing an identifying address of the sending editor. This prevents the writer from contacting the editor now or in the future. The editor is allowed to create a contact message at  98  and to confirm the sending of the contact message at  99 . Once the editor is in contact with the writer, the editor can request a copy of the manuscript and enter into direct one-on-one negotiations with the writer for purchase of rights to the creative media. In the illustrative embodiment, it is envisioned that the editor, or publisher, will pay a licensing fee for access to system  20 . While it is not contemplated that the system  20  will play any direct roll in the negotiations between the editor and the writer, variations in the system will be apparent to the skilled artisan. 
     Illustration of manuscript detail page  36  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The writer is allowed to select a category, such as genre, subgenre, or the like, at  100  and may choose among selections at  102 . There is also a field at  104  for entering the title of the work and a field at  106  for entering a synopsis. In the illustrated embodiment, the first three chapters of the work are entered at  108 .  FIG. 6  illustrates a different category selected at  100  and the choices that may be made available at  102 . 
     Details of the editor&#39;s search function  54  are illustrated in  FIG. 7 . An editor may be searched by name  110  or the publisher&#39;s name  112 . The editor may be searched by genre at  114  and subgenre at  116 . The genre and subgenre of the editor have previously been entered by the editor in an editor&#39;s profile, as will be discussed below. Function  54  provides an editor scratchpad  116  that allows the writer to identify editors of interest and to save those editors to scratchpad  116 . Details of editor search results function  56  are illustrated in  FIG. 8 . A field  120  for listing the editors by name, title, publisher, genre, and the like, is provided at  120  and the editor&#39;s scratchpad is shown at  116 . A detailed listing of the editor&#39;s scratchpad  116  is shown in  FIG. 9 . The editor&#39;s scratchpad allows the writer a selection at  130  for the editor to which the writer wishes to submit a creative media. Other more detailed information of the editor may be provided including the genre accepted and any notes made by the writer with respect to that editor. This also may provide a history of editors to whom creative media has already been submitted. 
     Details of the writer included with check-out page  38  are illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Fields are provided for identifying information of the writer at  140 . A biography of the writer may be entered in a field  142 , awards won by the writer may be provided in a field  144 , and the organizations to which the writer belongs may be provided at  146 . 
     A submission tracker function  150  allows the writer to monitor activity of an editor to whom a transcript has been submitted ( FIG. 11 ). A field  152  provides a column  154  for the work and a column  156  for the overall status of the review by the editor listed in field  158 . An editor activity field  160  provides indications every time an editor has taken an action. The action may be to open the file of that particular creative media, print out the file, re-review the file, and the like. This provides feedback to the writer without burdening the editor. This is in contrast to known procedures in which the writer is kept in the dark until receiving an approval or decline by the editor. Also, a field  162  may be provided for requests by particular editors for genre, or the like. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates details of the editor in-box function  78 . A field  170  provides a list of the creative media submitted by date, as well as columns, title,  172 , writer,  174 , genre,  176 , and fields  178  for action that has been taken by that editor. Also, an expiration date, column  180 , allows the editor to be apprised of when his/her exclusive period is to expire. Also, a software button  182  allows the editor to contact the writer. This will set up a series of fields for entry of communications to the writer. 
     The manuscript preference function  80  is illustrated in  FIG. 13   a . Manuscript preference function  80  provides a field  184  that allows the editor to specify which one or more genre the editor wishes to accept. A similar sub-genre select function  185  is provided. The editor may select at  186  an interval for receiving notification, such as by E-mail, facsimile, or the like, of newly submitted manuscripts meeting the requirements specified at  184 ,  185 . Also, fields are provided at  188  to allow the editor to select requirements for the writer, per se. Such writer information may include whether the writer is published, has received awards, is a member of certain associations, been referred by another writer, or the like. Also, the editor may be provided tools to create messages, such as vacation messages, or the like. 
     The search manuscript function  82  is illustrated in  FIG. 13   b . Search manuscript function  82  provides a field at  190  for the editor to enter keywords as well as a field  192  that allows the editor to select among various choices according to category. Examples of choices are shown at  194 , which open up upon selection of a particular category at  192 .  FIG. 14  shows that function  92  additionally includes selections at  196  for searching according to writer credentials, including pop-up menus, such as writer&#39;s organizations at  198 . However, other selections would be apparent to the skilled artisan. 
     Details of the search results display function  84  are illustrated in  FIG. 15 . The search results may be displayed, by way of example, according to title,  200 , writer,  202 , genre,  204 , date added,  206 , availability,  208 , and the ability to add the creative media to the editor&#39;s in-box at  210 . Details of the manuscript preference function  80  are illustrated in  FIG. 16 . These include identifying fields  220 , as well as a field  222  to allow the editor to prepare a message to potential writers. Also, a field  224  may be provided for the editor to illustrate books that it has published in the past.  FIG. 17  illustrates details of function  92  that allow an editor to prepare standard responses to writers. This function allows the editor to choose at  230  what type of response it wishes to create and to create the response at  232 . 
     Thus, it is seen that the present invention allows the optimal choices to both potential sellers and potential buyers of media in order to make the process more efficient and thereby more effective. For example, established sellers of creative media may create a narrowly focused submittal of media to a limited number of potential buyers who the seller knows would most likely be of interest. However, a new potential seller of media may select a wide range of potential sellers for review of his/her creative media. This may be accomplished by a broad listing of selection criteria of potential buyers. 
     Likewise, a potential buyer of creative media may choose to receive either a wide selection of potential media or a very narrow focused selection of creative media. This allows the potential seller to view as many or as few creative media as desired. This is accomplished by the designation of criteria by the editor the types of creative media it wishes to review. 
     Also, the quality review process ensures that potential buyers are exposed only to reliable submissions by potential sellers. Also, communication between the potential buyers and potential sellers is enhanced by allowing the potential sellers to observe the activity of the potential buyer while not being able to directly contact the potential buyer. The potential buyer is able to communicate anonymously with the potential seller, such as to ask for review of additional material pertaining to the creative media, to enter into negotiations, or the like. 
     Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the invention. For example, rather than having the option of either submitting creative media exclusively to one potential buyer at a time or submitting the creative media to a general pool, the potential seller may be provided an auction option. The auction option would allow the potential seller to submit the creative media to multiple potential buyers who would then have a fixed time period in which to bid on the work. The invention is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.