Abstract:
A system and method for allowing the owners of audio and/or audiovisual files to resell or purchased used content. The system provides for access via the internet and allows a user to upload or download content. To ensure against illicit copying of content, the system preferably includes a verification software package that must be downloaded onto the audio and/or audiovisual file player from which the user is attempted to resell content. The files uploaded to system are then made available for repurchase by another user. When the file is resold to another user, the file is removed from the available content list so that only the original audio and/or audiovisual file is ever transferred from one user to another user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/939,162, filed on May 21, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to digital audio and audiovisual files and, more specifically, to a system and method for purchasing and selling digital audio and audiovisual files. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    With the advent of the internet and availability of audio and audiovisual content in digital formats, users are able to purchase or license digital files containing their favorite music, movies, television shows, etc. The digital files may be stored and played in desktop computers, laptop system, cellular telephones, and even in portable devices designed specifically for playing audio and audiovisual content. The popularity of devices such as the iPod™ line of products, available from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., and other audio and audiovisual content devices, such as MP3 players, has led to an increase in online music sales and a decrease in sales at traditional, brick-and-mortar music stores. For example, consumers can purchase music files by the song, or by entire albums, at set prices and then downloaded the files directly to a player, a computer, or even a cell phone. A song typically costs about $1, whereas a traditional album with multiple songs can cost around $10 or more. 
         [0006]    Unlike traditional formats for music and audiovisual content, such as CDs and DVDs, a digital file may not be easily resold or transferred to another person. Due to the ease with which digital audio and audiovisual files may be illicitly copied without the permission of the copyright owner(s), such content is usually provided with copyright protection or encryption software that prevents the duplication of the files. The owner of a particular audio and audiovisual file is therefore unable to take advantage of the right to resell or transfer the particular work as is the case with a tangible CD or DVD. As a result, when the owner of a particular audio and audiovisual file is tired of listening the particular music or watching the motion pictures, there is no way to recoup the costs of purchasing the content, such as by reselling the content to a brick-and-mortar music store that purchased used CDs and DVDs and resells the content to others. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a system and method for allowing the owners of digital audio and audiovisual files to resell or transfer the files to others. 
         [0008]    It is an additional object and advantage of the present invention to provide a system and method for allowing the owners of digital audio and audiovisual files to resell or transfer the files to others using the internet. 
         [0009]    It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide a system and method for allowing the owners of digital audio and audiovisual files to resell or transfer the files to others using the internet without creating illicit copies of copyrighted works. 
         [0010]    In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides an online file swapping system comprising a user connectivity module programmed to allow remotely located users to access the system via the internet. The system further comprises a file transfer module programmed to allow remote users to transmit and receive audio and audiovisual files through the internet connectivity module. The system also comprises a file deletion module programmed to ensure that no copies of the audio and audiovisual files transmitted and received by users are retained at the source. The file deletion module may include a verification sub-module that is downloadable by the user and resides on the electronic device from which the audio and audiovisual files are provided, or to which the audio and audiovisual files are sent. The system additional comprises a trading module for purchasing audio and audiovisual files and reselling used audio and audiovisual files. The system of the present invention is not limited to audiovisual files, and thus may be used with any digital content, including applications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is schematic of the modules of an exemplary system according to the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method of according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in  FIG. 1  an online file swapping system  10  comprising a user connectivity module  12 , a file transfer module  14 , a file deletion module  16 , and a trading module  18 , all of which may be programmed into a computer or other internet access device according to conventional methods. A user device  20  may interconnect with system  10 , either directly or through a user host device  22 . In a preferred embodiment, system  10  is configured to be accessed by users through the internet 
         [0015]    It should be recognized by those of skill in the art that the various modules described herein may be programmed or implemented in any number of fashions, and as discrete modules or as part of an integral system. For example, connectivity module  12 , file transfer module  14 , file deletion module  16 , and trading module  18  may be incorporated into a single program or provided as part of an enterprise system. The modules of system  10  thus comprise functional elements that may be implemented through any number of known computer programming architectures. 
         [0016]    Connectivity module  12  allows remotely located users to access the system via the internet. It should be recognized by those of skill in the art that internet connectivity module  12  may comprise a conventional website having a URL allowing users to access system  10  through an internet browser directed to the particular address of the website. Internet connectivity module  12  may instead comprise an interface that may be accessed wirelessly, such as by cellular telephones, or through other portable telephonic devices, such as digital personal assistants. 
         [0017]    File transfer module  14  allows users to transmit and receive audio and audiovisual files through user connectivity module  12 . File transfer module  14  is thus programmed to send and receive data through conventional transfer protocols, such as FTP, and can recognize various audio and audiovisual files, such as MPEG, MPEG2, Windows Media Audio, Advanced Audio Coding, Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding, MP3, and the like. 
         [0018]    File deletion module  16  verifies that no copies of the audio and audiovisual files transmitted or received by users are retained at the source. File deletion module  16  thus ensures that the owner of audio and/or audiovisual file has in fact transferred the only existing copy of the audio and/or audiovisual file to which they have ownership rights, and has not retained any additional copies of the work. File deletion module  16  may further include a verification sub-module  20  that must be downloaded by the user to its audio and/or audiovisual electronic device prior to using system  10 . Verification sub-module  24  resides on the electronic device from which the audio and audiovisual files of user will be provided, or to which the audio and audiovisual files will be sent. Verification sub-module  24  is programmed to survey the electronic device for illicit copies and destroy any retained copies of the content transferred to system  10  immediate after the user transfers a file. Verification sub-module  24  may then transmit a signal or command to system  10  indicating that a proper transfer has been made, thereby allowing the user to be credited by system  10  for making the particular transfer. 
         [0019]    Trading module  18  is programmed to track which files are uploaded to system  10  by a user, or downloaded by a user from system  10 . For example, trading module  18  may be programmed to generate a list of files available for purchase and provide it to connectivity module  12  for display to a user. Each file is made available for repurchase by another single user, and removed from the list of available content once it is purchased. In other words, system  10  does not allow an uploaded file to be resold to more than one other user. 
         [0020]    Trading module  18  may further include an accounting sub-module  26  that is programmed to track user account information and record the transactions made by particular users of system  10 . It should be recognized by those of skill in the art that accounting sub-module  26  may comprise an online account established by a user and include personal information, such as a user name, password, account history, payment information (such as credit card data), mailing address, email address, etc. for establishing the identity of each user and allowing for commercial sales transactions. 
         [0021]    Trading module  18  is further programmed to accept payment from a user for items selected by the user from the list of available content on system  10 . Trading module  18  may further be programmed to provide a user with credit in accounting sub-module  26  for files transferred by the particular user to system  10 , and then add any such files to the list of available content on system  10 . Trading module  18  and accounting sub-module  26  of system  10  is preferably programmed to pay a user a first fixed amount for each file supplied to system  10 , and charge a user a second, fixed amount for each file purchased to system  10 . The first fixed amount is preferably a non-cash credit toward future purchases of available content by the user. A user may thus trade in multiple files and accumulate a credit toward the purchase of new content available from system  10 . The second fixed amount is preferably a cash amount to be paid by the user. Payment may be effected by off-setting any credits against the amount due, and then charging the user for the difference, such as by accepting a credit card supplied by user or using an electronic payment service, such as PayPal™ available from eBay, Inc. of San Jose, Calif. For example, a user may receive a credit of $0.10 for each file transferred to system  10 , and charged $0.50 for each file purchased from system  10 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  depicts a method  30  of selling, trading or swapping used audio and/or audiovisual files according to the present invention. The first step of method  30  involves a user logging into  32  or establishing a connection with system  10 . A check is performed  34  to determine whether the user is authorized to use system  10 . If the user is not a previously authorized user of system  10 , the user is prompted to create a trading account  36  and enter any required personal information. User may also be required to download one of more electronic files  38  to the user&#39;s electronic audio and/or audiovisual file player that are required for using system  10 , such as verification sub-module  20 . Once a user has established an account with system  10 , or is found to have one at step  34 , the user is allowed to choose whether he or she want to download or upload files  40 . 
         [0023]    If the user opts to upload files at step  40 , system  10  communicates with the user&#39;s audio and/or audiovisual file content device to generate a list of available files for uploading  42  to system  10 . Once the user has selected the files  44  to sell to system  10 , the files are transferred  46  to user device  20 . Verification sub-module  24  then confirms  48  that no illicit copies remain on user device  20 . Once verification sub-module  24  confirms that the file was properly transferred and no copies remain, the user&#39;s account is credited  50  with the appropriate amount. 
         [0024]    If the user instead opts to download files at step  40 , trading module  18  provides the user with a list of available content  52 . It should be recognized by those of skill in the art that the content may be sorted according to type of file, such as audio or audiovisual, or further sorted according to conventional genre classification, such as hard rock, popular, action, comedy, etc. Alternatively, the user may include a designation or preferred content in his or her user profile, thereby pre-selecting what content will be presented. The user is then allowed to select content for downloading  54 , and system  10  transfers the selected files  56  to user. At the same time, the system  10  removes the files from the content list  58 , thereby preventing another user from transferring the same file and ensuring that no additional copies of the files are created. The user is then charged the appropriate amount  60 , minus any existing credits in the user&#39;s account. 
         [0025]    It should be recognized by those of skill in the art, that the steps of method  30  are not exhaustive and may be performed in other ways. For example, payment for files transferred from system  10  by a user may be obtained prior to the actual transfer of the files. Method  30  may be also used to transfer any forms of digital files, such as application software, and is not intended to be limited to audio or audiovisual files.