Abstract:
A method and system that allows people to make authorized copies of works while compensating the authors/artists associated with copied works. The system includes an authorizing authority that authorizes a purchaser of a recording medium to make copies of certain works onto the purchased recording medium. The authorizing authority distributes a portion of the sale of the recording medium to registered entities associated with the certain works.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to methods and systems for the management of works of authorship and, more particularly, to such methods and systems to facilitate artist and author compensation for copies of their works.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Many people have and continue to download or make copies of copyrighted works, especially music, without permission from the copyright holders (i.e., artists, authors, or producers). These people, many of them teens and preteens, often do so in violation of copyright law.  
         [0003]     Because of Napster-like technology, as well as other readily available technologies, it is very easy for the average person to make copies of music, journal articles, photographs, and other works. For example, many peer-to-peer file sharing services allow users to exchange videos, graphics, software and electronic books. Many people have a level of cynicism when they can so easily make copies of works and are at the same time told that that type of copying is illegal. All digitized media is up for grabs and other industries—including motion pictures and book publishers—are scrambling to find ways to protect their assets. Presently there are many groups that are trying to use technology to stop unauthorized copying of works. Yet, copies of present works can be easily made and are being made.  
         [0004]     For the most part, the music industry hasn&#39;t aimed its legal guns at individuals who download music, because it is too difficult to catch everyone and the damages caused by one person making one unauthorized copy is hardly worth the effort. More recently, some individual enforcement has taken place, with individual lawsuits being filed in order to make examples of some individuals and, hopefully, dissuade others from pirating music and other works.  
         [0005]     While the copyright law makes some “fair use” exceptions for uses such as educational use of copyrighted material, fair use does not extend to many typical uses. Though piracy receives much media attention, there are many who make copies illegally simply because there is no convenient means for proper payment. Many, if not most, people would pay for the copies they make if there were only a system to do so.  
         [0006]     Therefore, there exists a need to give people the opportunity to make the correct moral and legal choice when it comes to making copies of copyrightable works.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention provides a method and system that allows people to make authorized copies of works while compensating the authors/artists associated with copied works.  
         [0008]     A preferred embodiment of the system includes an authorizing authority that authorizes a purchaser of a recording medium to make copies of certain works onto the purchased recording medium. The authorizing authority distributes a portion of the sale of the recording medium to registered entities associated with the certain works.  
         [0009]     The recording medium includes, for example, computer disks (hard drive, cds, etc.), digital video disks, computer floppy disks, memory cards, or paper.  
         [0010]     The recording medium may include a written authorization or a unique identifier.  
         [0011]     In accordance with further preferred aspects of the invention, the identifier is stored electronically on the recording medium.  
         [0012]     In accordance with other preferred aspects of the invention, the authorizing authority includes a data entry device that receives the identifier, a memory that includes approved access code or identifier information, and a processor in communication with the data entry device and the memory. The processor determines if the identifier is one of the approved identifiers/access codes based on the approved identifier/access code information, and instructs the purchaser having an approved identifier/access code that they are authorized to make copies of works onto the blank medium.  
         [0013]     In accordance with still further preferred aspects of the invention, a database stores works of the registered entities. The processor allows purchasers having an approved identifier/access code to copy works stored on the database to their blank medium.  
         [0014]     In accordance with yet other preferred aspects of the invention, the processor is in communication with a network and receives an identifier associated with a purchased recording medium from a purchaser using a computer device coupled to the network, receives purchaser information, determines if the identifier is valid, and registers the purchaser associated with the received purchaser information for an award if the received identifier is determined valid.  
         [0015]     In accordance with still another preferred aspect of the invention, the registered entities include at least one of an artist, an author, or a royalty organization. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary blocked diagram of components of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a process performed by the system shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate network access pages for allowing a user to interact with a component of the system shown in  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of a packaging example for the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system  20  that includes processes for motivating consumers to adhere to copyright laws. A consumer or purchasers  26  purchase blank recording medium from sellers  24 . Examples of blank recording medium include computer disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), any form of paper (e.g., blank sheet music or just blank paper), computer floppy disks, removable memory cards, film, computer hard drives, or any other type of medium that allows recordation of written or electronic data.  
         [0022]     The blank recording medium includes or is associated with an authorization that allows purchasers  26  to legally record works produced by artists/authors  40  or works associated with royalty organizations  42  that subscribe, are associated with, or supported by a controlling authority  28 . Examples of works include music, books, software, or any other produced work that may be protectable under copyright law. Artists/authors  40  include any of musicians, songwriters, book or software authors, or any other person who can retain the benefit of copyright protection. Examples of royalty organizations  42  are American Society of Composers, Authors, &amp; Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI). It should be understood that artists/authors  40  and royalty organizations  42  may be readily replaced with any other person or entity seeking to collect a fee for use of a work.  
         [0023]     In one embodiment, the controlling authority  28  includes a server  32  coupled to a database  34  that is connected up to a public or private data network  30 , such as the Internet. Purchasers  26  or anyone having access to the network  30  may access web pages generated by the server  32  to allow for interaction with the service provided by the controlling authority  28 . The controlling authority  28  registers artists/authors  40  or royalty organizations  42  to the service that they provide. Registered artist/author  40  or royalty organizations  42  may receive monetary or other benefits related to a portion of the sale of the blank mediums. In return for a portion of the revenue of the blank medium, the artist/author  40  or royalty organizations  42  give authority for purchasers  26  to copy some or all of their works onto the blank medium that have been purchased by the purchaser  26 . If a royalty organization  42  receives the monetary or other benefits, it may distribute some of the money or benefits to artists/authors that they have relationships with.  
         [0024]     The controlling authority  28  allows artists/authors  40  and royalty organizations  42  to register for their service by various methods. In one embodiment, the controlling authority  28  allows artists/authors  40  and royalty organizations  42  to register using a secure network-based application program. The artists/authors  40  and royalty organizations  42  submit information during the registration process that allows the controlling authority  28  to manually or automatically send monetary or other benefits (royalties) associated with the sale of the blank medium. Also, the artists/authors  40  and royalty organizations  42  submit authorization to allow the purchasers  26  to make copies of their works onto the blank medium.  
         [0025]     In one embodiment, the system  20  includes processor-based kiosks  50  that include a user interface, a processor, memory, and data write device. The kiosks  50  may be coupled to the server  32  via the network  30 . The kiosks  50  store works by artists/authors  40  in the memory. A user can download works to a purchased blank medium inserted in the data write device.  
         [0026]     The kiosks  50  may also include blank medium. A user selects work(s) stored in the memory of the kiosks  50  or stored at the database  34 . Upon payment received by the kiosks  50 , the kiosks&#39; processor stores the selected work(s) on one of the included blank medium and presents the medium to the user. The kiosks  50  include a device for receiving money and/or a device for processing credit or bank cards or any other type of cash value electronic card. Although “kiosks” are shown in  FIG. 1 , the kiosks may alternatively take the form of home or other computers that are similarly equipped and in communication with the network  30 . In such an embodiment, the blank medium are purchased separately, then inserted into the computer CD-drive or printer to enable making a copy.  
         [0027]     In other embodiments, the blank medium may include special use paper for sale. Also, a dedicated copier allows copying and charges a higher price for the authorized copying service.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary process  100  performed by components of the system  20  shown in  FIG. 1 . At a block  102 , the controlling authority  28  registers artists/authors  40  or royalty organizations  42  for the service related to the sale of authorized blank medium. Information about subscribing artists/authors  40  or royalty organizations  42  are recorded in the database  34  ( FIG. 1 ). At a block  104 , purchasers  26  buy blank mediums that have been authorized or sanctioned by the controlling authority  28 . The purchasers  26  buy the blank medium for X dollars from sellers  24 . The sellers  24  may be any of a retailer, wholesaler, or the controlling authority  28 . At a block  106 , the controlling authority  28  sets aside a percentage of the dollar amount (% of X=Z dollars) for the purchased blank mediums.  
         [0029]     At a block  108 , the purchasers  26  or any other persons select artists/authors that are copied or most likely to be copied. This selected information is recorded by the controlling authority  28  in the database  34 . At a block  112 , the controlling authority  28  sends the Z dollars (or a portion of the Z dollars) to one or more of the registered artists/authors  40  or royalty organizations  42  based on the recorded information and/or predefined distribution information. In another embodiment, the controlling authority  28  directs the seller  24  where to send the Z dollars.  
         [0030]     At a block  114 , the purchasers  26  register for a prize using an identifier that is included with the purchased blank medium. The identifier may be included on a document or sticker included in the packaging of the blank medium, printed on the blank medium, or the identifier may be in electronic form stored on the blank medium (see FIG.  5 ). At a block  118 , the controlling authority  28  selects one or more registered purchasers  26  to receive a portion of the Z dollars. At a block  120 , the controlling authority  28  sends a portion of the dollar amount Z to a charity, a nonprofit organization, or some special project or task. The charity or other is selected by purchasers  26  or users that access web pages generated by the controlling authority  28 , by the registered artists/authors  40  or royalty organizations  42 , or by the controlling authority  28 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates a user interface window (web page)  140  generated by the server  32  and accessible over the network  30  by purchasers  26  or any one desiring to interact with the service provided by the controlling authority  28 . Users or purchasers  26  interact with the windows generated by the server  32  with a user interface device, such as a display, mouse, keyboard, touch screen, personal data assistant (PDA), or any other device that allows display button selection/activation or entry/selection of text (alphanumeric characters).  
         [0032]     The window  140  includes an active area  148  that allows a user to identify which artist(s)/author(s) that they believe are most likely to be copied. The active area  148  includes a first data entry field  150  that allows a user to enter the name of an artist(s) or author(s) that he/she believes is having or are most likely to have their works copied. In one embodiment, the first data entry field  150  is a pull-down menu that allows selection of various artists/authors, which may be those artists/authors that are subscribers to the service provided by the controlling authority  28 . In another embodiment, the active area  148  includes a charity selection data entry field  156  or a pull-down menu that allows a user to enter or select charitable organization that he/she desires to give a portion of the revenue received from the sale of blank mediums. The active area  148  also includes a submit button  158  and a prize button  160 . Selection of the submit button  158  instructs the server  32  to record the entries in the fields  150  and  156  into the database  34  for later use. The entries recorded in the first data entry field  150  are used later for distributing a portion of the revenue of the sales of the blank mediums. Selection of the prize button  160  presents a page that allows a purchaser  26  to register for a prize or award, as shown in  FIG. 4 . Although  FIG. 3  is represented in terms of artists “most likely” to be copied, in alternate embodiments users register those works they actually copied or intend to copy.  
         [0033]     The server  32  may provide a selection list of authors or artists that have signed up for the service. The user of the associated web pages may select an author(s) or artist(s) that they have or will copy. The server  32  may provide the user the opportunity to select authors or artists that are not signed on to the service.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a prize page  180  is displayed or presented after selection of the prize button  160  ( FIG. 3 ). The prize page  180  includes an identifier entry field  186 . The purchaser  26  enters a prize entry code into the identifier entry field  186 . The prize entry code is an alphanumeric code that is stored electronically on, included with the purchased blank medium, or printed on the blank medium or on a label associated with the blank medium. Name and address entry fields  188  and  192  receive information related to the purchasers  26 , for example, name, address, phone number, or any other information that distinguishes the purchaser  26 . The information included in the fields  188  and  192  are used for distribution of prizes or awards, such as a portion of the sale of the blank mediums. The prize page  180  includes a submit button  194  that when activated records the information entered in the fields  186 - 192  into the database  34  for later use in prize determination.  
         [0035]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary way to package the blank medium. In this example, the blank medium is a CD  200 . The CD  200  is included in a package  202 . A unique identifier  206  is included in the package  202  and is viewable upon opening of the package  202 . The identifier is a sticker  208  attached to the package  202  or the CD  200 , is stored in electronic form on the CD  200 , or is printed on the CD  200 . In one embodiment, the identifier is the prize entry code.  
         [0036]     In another embodiment, the identifier is used as a password to gain access to a network-based file transfer site supported by the controlling authority  28 , to a kiosk device also supported by the controlling authority  28 , or to some third party associated with the controlling authority  28 . The purchaser  26  gains access to the file transfer site, e.g., the kiosk device, by manually entering the identifier included with the purchased blank medium.  
         [0037]     In another embodiment, the purchaser  26  inserts the blank medium into a read/write device included in their computer system or included in the kiosk device. Software associated with the file transfer site or the kiosk device reads the identifier off the blank medium (or it is manually entered by the user into an appropriate field) to allow access to file transfer functions. Once the purchaser  26  has gained access to the file transfer site or the kiosk device, the purchaser  26  is allowed to download works stored in the database  34  or in memory of the kiosk device. The works are downloaded and stored on the blank medium. The artists/authors  40  or royalty organizations  42  associated with works stored on the database  34  or the kiosk device have registered or subscribed to the service. The blank medium may be of a certain cash value allowing the user to a certain number of downloads or copies to be made. The server  32 , kiosk, home computer, or other device identifies and presents available credit that is associated with the blank medium and the associated identifier. If the user desires more copies or downloads, a new identifier is purchased with a new blank medium or is received from the server  32  over a network connection.  
         [0038]     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.