Patent Publication Number: US-2004049482-A1

Title: Methods and systems for intellectual property management

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention generally relates to data processing and, more particularly, relates to computer systems, computer programs, and methods that manage intellectual property rights.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Authors are active in almost all areas of human activity. For example, writers write books; photographers make photos; directors and actors create movies; or composers and musicians make music. Modern computer technology allows availability of the works in digital form. To stay with the example: the texts of the books are stored in text files; photos and paintings are scanned to picture files; the movies have the form of audio and video streams; and so on.  
       [0003] Besides the works (i.e. books, photos, movies, music), applicable law establishes rights on the works, such as copyright. The combination of work and right—also referred to as “asset”—is the main income source for the author. The author may sell the original work once, but the author receives the major part of income when the work recipient (i.e. book reader) pays for a copy of the work.  
       [0004] Without the intention to cover all legal aspects for all jurisdictions, the explanation is simplified to the technical aspects under the following scenario: The authors assign rights to others, or grants licenses to others, usually to media companies, such as publishing houses. In most of the cases, the author receives payment, for example, royalties.  
       [0005] The stay with the example, the publisher sells copies to the readers and returns a portion of the book price to the writer as royalty.  
       [0006] The rights and royalties are technically represented, for example, by entries in databases. However, the value chain from author via publisher to recipient is far more complex. It involves to technically further represent:  
       [0007] documents (e.g., license contracts),  
       [0008] time aspects (e.g., expiration of rights),  
       [0009] billing aspects (e.g., calculating royalties),  
       [0010] authentication and validity aspects (e.g., providing authorized copies),  
       [0011] territorial aspects (rights in different countries), and so on. There is an ongoing need to provide an improved right management system.  
       [0012] The following references are useful:  
       [0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,608 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,787 both by Iida,  
       [0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,498 to Schneck et al.  
       [0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,012 to Stefik et al.,  
       [0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,575 to Sprague et al.,  
       [0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,152 to Erickson,  
       [0018] U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,594 to Shear,  
       [0019] WO 93/01550,  
       [0020] WO 99/45491,  
       [0021] WO 98/42098,  
       [0022] WO 00/21239,  
       [0023] WO 00/44119,  
       [0024] WO 00/58811  
       [0025] Jon Bing: “Convergence—and Some Possible Consequences for Copyright and Right Holders” in: “Computer und Recht 4/2001, pages 104-111”.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026] The present invention relates to a method for managing rights that relate to works. The method comprises the following steps: (1) providing on a first computer a database with representations of the works, with representations of applicable rights for the works, and with states; (2) for a given work, selecting a template document that corresponds to the representation of the right for the work; (3) communicating between the first computer and a second computer to derive a final document from the template document, the final document having a functional statement using a first indicator going into the first computer and using a second indicator, the final document being associated with the database and relating the representations of the work and of the right, the states and the functional statement; (4) setting the state to active; (5) receiving the first indicator from a third computer; (6) calculating the second indicator according to the functional statement); and (7) forwarding the second indicator to the second computer.  
       [0027] Preferably, distributing a copy of the work follows setting. This is convenient when the data also stores the work itself. On-demand publishing or similar services are supported.  
       [0028] Preferably, in the receiving step, the first indicator is a numerical value representing a quantity selected from the group of: number of physical copies of the work, number of broadcast transmissions of the work, time the physical copy of the work is available to a predetermined customer, and the number of subscribers to copies of the work.  
       [0029] Preferably, the second indicator is a numerical value representing a quantity selected from the group of: royalty (i.e., license fee), agent fee, and commission.  
       [0030] Preferably, further steps are added, selected from the group of: acquiring a right (e.g., by a media company from an author), selling a right (e.g., to a customer), managing a contract that relates to a right (e.g., modifying the contract to change the functional statement), checking availability of a right (e.g., right depends on further rights, right hierarchy), checking two rights for collision and non-collision, checking expiration and existence of a right (e.g., expiration by virtue of law or by virtue of contract terms), checking contractual or statutory restrictions (e.g., checking against predefined criteria that are stored in the database), tracking utilization of a right (e.g., receiving indicators when the right is exercised), alerting upon reaching a predefined threshold of the first or the second indicators (e.g., causing contract change, or modifying the functional statement, convenient for contracts that use the threshold), reporting, electronically presenting bills and payment through Internet (e.g., convenient for e-WO commerce with rights), delaying step setting active by a predetermined delay time (e.g., preventing from forwarding copies after the right has expired), and periodically triggering payment (e.g., automatically triggering payment according to a contract, such as for contracts with monthly or weekly payment).  
       [0031] Optionally, the method further comprises the step triggering a workflow in the first computer to obtain legal clearance if a predefined condition is detected (e.g., upon detecting a right collision, forwarding an alert message to an attorney). Workflows are predefined sequences of program calls in computer systems.  
       [0032] Optionally, the method comprises the step parsing the database to detect events. The events are predefined, such as: the first indicator has passed a predetermined threshold (e.g., sale reaches a certain number of copies), a right is changed but shipping a physical copy to a customer is ongoing (conflict detected).  
       [0033] Preferably, during parsing the database, events are detected that have representations in the final document. This is convenient, for example, if the threshold is stored in the final document.  
       [0034] Optionally is also the step of triggering shipment of a copy to a customer. Shipment comprises an action selected from the group of: shipping a physical copy of the work to a customer (e.g., sending a compact disc) and broadcasting the work (e.g., via radio or television).  
       [0035] Optionally, reading from the third computer is performed by from a computer that is related to a recipient of the work. The third computer is installed, for example, at a radio station, at a broadcaster, at a discotheque, at a cinema, at a restaurant, at a distributor, at a media agency, or at the home of a customer who accesses the copy of the work via Internet.  
       [0036] Preferably, the rights that are managed according to the method comprise at least one of: reproduction right, broadcasting right, public performance right, adaptation right, translation right, public recitation right, public display right, distribution right, and sales right. Optionally, one right depends on a further right. Optionally, the rights are classified into categories with attributes.  
       [0037] Preferably, the template document and the final document comprise a contract of at least one of the following types: sales contract, purchase contract, and license contract. Optionally, the contract is related to a further contract, selected from the group of: addendum, extension, side-letter, and contract that merges existing contracts.  
       [0038] Preferably, the method is performed by the first computer being a computer of a media company, and the second computer being a computer of a financial organization (e.g., a bank).  
       [0039] It is convenient to implement the method by accessing the followings customer relationship management (CRM) functions: sales organization, sales group, sales offices, service organization, purchasing organization, and purchasers group. These functions are commercially available from SAP Aktiengesellschaft, Walldorf (Baden), Germany, (hereinafter SAP AG).  
       [0040] Preferably, calculating the functional statement comprises any function of the following: deactivating the state when the first indicator exceeds a redetermined number (e.g., to prevent the distribution of unauthorized copies is a threshold is reached), deactivating the state after a predetermined time from activating (e.g., defined in the contract that is represented by the final document), or deactivating the state after a right has expired.  
       [0041] Preferably, the work is a digital work and the copy of the work is also a digital copy. This is convenient, but not essential; analog techniques can be used as well.  
       [0042] The present invention also related to the contract produced as the final document by the practice of the method. Also, the present invention relates to a computer-based system, computer-program product and article of manufacture with a computer readable medium for executing the method as defined in claim 1 and the dependent claims. Details for system, program and article are explained at the end of the detailed description.  
       [0043] The present invention has a variety of useful functions, for example:  
       [0044] The system automatically collects royalties for copyrights or the like.  
       [0045] The system centralizes functions such as customer relationship management (CRM), business warehouse (BW), and billing engine by a central database.  
       [0046] It is an advantage that the system of the present invention uses existing data definitions that fit into existing business software by SAP AG. Such business software is usually summarized as a “solution map” with the following:  
       [0047] Software “Customer Relationship Management” with components such as “Customer Service”, “Market Research &amp; Analysis”, “Product/Brand Marketing”, “Marketing Program Management” and “Sales Management”.  
       [0048] Software “Production” with components such as “Media Content Planning”, “Media Production Planning”, “Media Production Controlling”, “Media Object Editing”, and “Composing Activity Recording”.  
       [0049] Software “Publication” with components such as “Publication Planning”, “Printing”, “Broadcasting”, “Online Publishing”, and “CD ROM Manufacturing”.  
       [0050] Software “Sales Cycle Management” with components such as “Advertising” 
       [0051] Software “Business Partner Management” with components such as “Sales Order Management”, “Billing/Invoicing”, “Contract Management” and “Settlements” 
       [0052] System and method of the invention partially use functions of the above software. The invention goes into future software “Media Asset Management” with components such as “Media Asset Procurement”, “Content Management”, “Rights Management” and “Royalty Accounting” 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0053]FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an inventive computer system;  
     [0054]FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of the system with more details;  
     [0055]FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of a database in the system of FIG. 2;  
     [0056]FIG. 4 is a simplified table with exemplary types of rights;  
     [0057]FIG. 5 is a simplified table with categories;  
     [0058]FIG. 6 is a simplified asset table;  
     [0059]FIG. 7 is a simplified structure diagram of a template document;  
     [0060]FIG. 8 is a simplified structure diagram of a final document that is derived from the template document; and  
     [0061]FIG. 9 is a simplified flow chart diagram of a method of the present invention. 
    
    
     COMPUTER NETWORK SYSTEM  
     [0062]FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram of the inventive computer network system  999  having a plurality of computers  900 ,  901 ,  902  (or  90   q , with q=0 . . . Q-1, Q any number).  
     [0063] Computers  900 - 902  are coupled via inter-computer network  990 . Computer  900  comprises processor  910 , memory  920 , bus  930 , and, optionally, input device  940  and output device  950  (I/O devices, user interface  960 ). As illustrated, the invention is present by computer program product  100  (CPP), program carrier  970  and program signal  980 , collectively “program”.  
     [0064] In respect to computer  900 , computer  901 / 902  is sometimes referred to as “remote computer”, computer  901 / 902  is, for example, a server, a router, a peer device or other common network node, and typically comprises many or all of the elements described relative to computer  900 . Hence, elements  100  and  910 - 980  in computer  900  collectively illustrate also corresponding elements  10   q  and  91   q - 98   q  (shown for q=0) in computers  90   q.    
     [0065] Computer  900  is, for example, a conventional personal computer (PC), a desktop and hand-held device, a multiprocessor computer, a pen computer, a microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, a minicomputer, a mainframe computer, a personal mobile computing device, a mobile phone, a portable or stationary personal computer, a palmtop computer or the like.  
     [0066] Processor  910  is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro-controller unit (MCU), digital signal processor (DSP), or the like.  
     [0067] Memory  920  symbolizes elements that temporarily or permanently store data and instructions. Although memory  920  is conveniently illustrated as part of computer  900 , memory function can also be implemented in network  990 , in computers  901 / 902  and in processor  910  itself (e.g., cache, register), or elsewhere. Memory  920  can be a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a memory with other access options. Memory  920  is physically implemented by computer-readable media, such as, for example: (a) magnetic media, like a hard disk, a floppy disk, or other magnetic disk, a tape, a cassette tape; (b) optical media, like optical disk (CD-ROM, digital versatile disk—DVD); (c) semiconductor media, like DRAM, SRAM, EPROM, EEPROM, memory stick, or by any other media, like paper.  
     [0068] Optionally, memory  920  is distributed across different media. Portions of memory  920  can be removable or non-removable. For reading from media and for writing in media, computer  900  uses devices well known in the art such as, for example, disk drives, tape drives.  
     [0069] Memory  920  stores support modules such as, for example, a basic input output system (BIOS), an operating system (OS), a program library, a compiler, an interpreter, and a text-processing tool. Support modules are commercially available and can be installed on computer  900  by those of skill in the art. For simplicity, these modules are not illustrated.  
     [0070] CPP  100  comprises program instructions and—optionally—data that cause processor  910  to execute method steps of the present invention. Method steps are explained with more detail below. In other words, CPP  100  defines the operation of computer  900  and its interaction in network system  999 . For example and without the intention to be limiting, CPP  100  can be available as source code in any programming language, and as object code (“binary code”) in a compiled form. Persons of skill in the art can use CPP  100  in connection with any of the above support modules (e.g., compiler, interpreter, operating system).  
     [0071] Although CPP  100  is illustrated as being stored in memory  920 , CPP  100  can be located elsewhere. CPP  100  can also be embodied in carrier  970 .  
     [0072] Carrier  970  is illustrated outside computer  900 . For communicating CPP  100  to computer  900 , carrier  970  is conveniently inserted into input device  940 . Carrier  970  is implemented as any computer readable medium, such as a medium largely explained above (cf. memory  920 ). Generally, carrier  970  is an article of manufacture comprising a computer readable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for executing the method of the present invention. Further, program signal  980  can also embody computer program  100 . Signal  980  travels on network  990  to computer  900 .  
     [0073] Having described CPP  100 , program carrier  970 , and program signal  980  in connection with computer  900  is convenient. Optionally, program carrier  971 / 972  (not shown) and program signal  981 / 982  embody computer program product (CPP)  101 / 102  to be executed by processor  911 / 912  (not shown) in computers  901 / 902 , respectively.  
     [0074] Input device  940  symbolizes a device that provides data and instructions for processing by computer  900 . For example, device  940  is a keyboard, a pointing device (e.g., mouse, trackball, cursor direction keys), microphone, joystick, game pad, scanner, disc drive. Although the examples are devices with human interaction, device  940  can also operate without human interaction, such as, a wireless receiver (e.g., with satellite dish or terrestrial antenna), a sensor (e.g., a thermometer), a counter (e.g., goods counter in a factory). Input device  940  can serve to read carrier  970 .  
     [0075] Output device  950  symbolizes a device that presents instructions and data that have been processed. For example, a monitor or a display, (cathode ray tube (CRT), flat panel display, liquid crystal display (LCD), speaker, printer, plotter, vibration alert device. Similar as above, output device  950  communicates with the user, but it can also communicate with further computers.  
     [0076] Input device  940  and output device  950  can be combined to a single device; any device  940  and  950  can be provided optional.  
     [0077] Bus  930  and network  990  provide logical and physical connections by conveying instruction and data signals. While connections inside computer  900  are conveniently referred to as “bus  930 ”, connections between computers  900 - 902  are referred to as “network  990 ”. Optionally, network  990  comprises gateways being computers that specialize in data transmission and protocol conversion.  
     [0078] Devices  940  and  950  are coupled to computer  900  by bus  930  (as illustrated) or by network  990  (optional). While the signals inside computer  900  are mostly electrical signals, the signals in network are electrical, magnetic, optical or wireless (radio) signals.  
     [0079] Networking environments (as network  990 ) are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet (i.e. world wide web). The physical distance between a remote computer and computer  900  is not important. Network  990  can be a wired or a wireless network. To name a few network implementations, network  990  is, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN); a Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), an infra-red (IR) link, a radio link, like Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), or satellite link.  
     [0080] Transmission protocols and data formats are known, for example, as transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), hyper text transfer protocol (HTTP), secure HTTP, wireless application protocol, unique resource locator (URL), a unique resource identifier (URI), hyper text markup language HTML, extensible markup language (XML), extensible hyper text markup language (XHTML), wireless application markup language (WML), Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) etc.  
     [0081] Interfaces coupled between the elements are also well known in the art. For simplicity, interfaces are not illustrated. An interface can be, for example, a serial port interface, a parallel port interface, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an internal or external modem, a video adapter, or a sound card.  
     [0082] Computer and program are closely related. As used hereinafter, phrases, such as “the computer provides” and “the program provides”, are convenient abbreviations to express actions by a computer that is controlled by a program.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0083] For convenience, of glossary of terms and a reference list are provided prior to the claims.  
     [0084]FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of system  999  with more details. System  999  comprises: first computer  901  (with database  210 , template  220 , and final document  230 ), second computer  902  with a communicator, and third computer  903  with an indicator provider.  
     [0085] System  999  is a system for managing rights that relate to works. Database  210  has representations of the works W, representations of applicable rights R for the works, and states S, details in FIG. 3. For a given work (e.g. novel ALPHA), computer  901  selects template document  220  that corresponds to the representation of the right R for the work W. Computer  901  and computer  902  communicate to derive final document  230  from template document  220  (details in FIGS.  7 - 8 ). Final document  230  has a functional statement Y=F(X), with first indicator X going into computer  901  (cf. arrow from computer  903 ) and with second indicator Y. Final document  230  is associated with database  210  and relates the representations of work W, R, and S with the functional statement F. Upon deriving document  230 , computer  901  sets state S to active, receives first indicator X from computer  903 , calculates second indicator Y according to the statement F, and forwards second indicator Y to computer  902 .  
     [0086] The computer-program product (according to the invention) on computer  901  has reference number  101 .  
     [0087]FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of database  210  in the system of FIG. 2. Database  210  comprises representations of works (W), representations of applicable rights (R) for the works, and states (S) (illustrated in columns). During further processing, final document  230  (cf. FIGS. 2, 8) is added.  
     [0088] Work (W) and right (R) form assets; the state (S) indicates availability (if active) or non-availability (if inactive) of the asset; final document  230  with statement F (i.e., Y=F(X)) indicates how the asset is employed.  
     [0089] Since details for database  210  are explained in connection with the following figures, entries in FIG. 3 are simplified. As illustrated, publication of novel ALPHA (asset (i)) is activated according to conditions set out in document  230  (i.e. contract); translation of ALPHA (asset (ii)) is still inactive, a corresponding contract document is still absent. However, a template document is present that can be converted into a final document.  
     [0090]FIG. 4 is a simplified table with exemplary types of rights. There is no need to store the complete table in database  210 . The acronyms P, B, A and T correspond to acronyms in column rights (R) of database  210 .  
     [0091] The following examples for rights are given without the intention of referring to a particular law in a particular legislation. The rights are cited in simplified wording that that does not necessarily correspond to the wording of applicable law. By writing a novel, the author (“creator”) acquires a variety of exclusive rights, for example,  
     [0092] the right to distribute physical copies, e.g. to distribute books (hereinafter “publication right”);  
     [0093] the right to distribute the novel in non-physical form via radio, television or the like (hereinafter “broadcast right”);  
     [0094] the right to adapt the novel, for example to a movie (hereinafter “adaptation right”); and  
     [0095] the right to publish a translation (hereinafter “translation right”).  
     [0096] For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that by virtue of international treaties and conventions, the rights are international rights. Collectively, these rights are also referred to as “copyright”. Using copyrights only is convenient for explanation; persons of skill in the art can use the present invention also for other rights such as neighboring rights (“related rights”) or even patent rights.  
     [0097] The author can exercise each the rights alone or in combination, for example, for the following purposes:  
     [0098] use the work (or a copy) himself/herself,  
     [0099] permit someone else to use, or  
     [0100] prohibit someone else from using.  
     [0101]FIG. 5 is a simplified table with categories. The table is preferably stored as part of database  210  to technically represent the categories.  
     [0102] The categories conveniently divide some or all rights. Each category has a plurality of attributes. Categories are single-attribute categories (exactly one attribute per category) or multiple-attribute categories (one or more attributes per category). Technically, the attributes are stored, for example, as strings or as integer numbers. In the example of FIG. 5, the attributes are stores as string acronyms. Ellipsis indicates the presence of further attributes.  
     [0103] The following explanations are not necessarily part of the table:  
     [0104] Category TERRITORY The acronyms are standard acronyms used by the Patent Cooperation Treaty for identifying countries or regions (e.g., DE for Germany, FR for France, US for the United States).  
     [0105] Category LANGUAGE The language does not necessarily correspond to the country. One language can be applicable for two countries (e.g., in German in DE and CH).  
     [0106] Category EXPIRATION If known, the expiration year can be calculated, for example according to rules predefined by law (e.g., 70 year pma) or introduced into the table (e.g., if a contract defines the expiration).  
     [0107] Category EXCLUSIVITY This category has a single attribute, that is either EX for “exclusive” or NON-EX for “non-exclusive”.  
     [0108] Category OWNER Indication of the right owner (“proprietor”), for example with the attributes author (“A”) or media company (“MC”).  
     [0109] Category FORMAT The right is available only for copies in a predefined format, for example, hardcover books or softcover books.  
     [0110]FIG. 6 is a simplified asset table, preferably part of database  210 . As mentioned above, an asset is a combination of work and right, independent from the medium. Exemplary assets are given in rows (i) to (vi). The table column “right (R)” is divided into a column “type” (cf. FIG. 4) and a column “category” (cf. FIG. 5). Where applicable, the types are combined with one or more categories. Persons of skill in the art can provide filters that block undesired type-category combinations (e.g., “translation of music”)).  
     [0111] The table is explained in connection with the example of the novel ALPHA and the song BETA. The novel and the song belong to different work classifications, such as literary work and music work, respectively.  
     [0112] Asset (i) Novel ALPHA can be published (P) in Germany (DE), Switzerland (CH), Austria (AT), in German language (G), until 2005, and exclusively (EX) by the owner media company (MC).  
     [0113] Asset (ii) Novel ALPHA can be published (P) in the United States (US), non-exclusively (NON-EX). Language and the other categories remain unspecified.  
     [0114] Asset (iii) Novel ALPHA can be adapted (A) or broadcasted (B) in Germany (DE), Switzerland (CH), Austria (AT) until 2005 and exclusively (EX).  
     [0115] Asset (iv) Song BETA is available for broadcasting in the US until 2003 exclusively by the media company (MC).  
     [0116] Asset (v) A German (G) version of BETA is available as well.  
     [0117]FIG. 7 is a simplified structure diagram of template document  220 . In the example, document  220  is a publication (P) contract that corresponds to assets (i) and (ii) of the asset table (FIG. 6, column “type”). The document structure is simplified illustrated as a matrix. The left column indicates placeholders for the contract items, such as type of contract, identification of work, type of first indicator X, type of second indicator Y, statement and conditions. The right column indicates default contract items, such as “publication contract” for the type, “number of copies” as the second indicator, “royalty” as the second indicator, a “linear function” for the statement (predefined royalty per copy), and categories (cf. FIG. 5) for contract conditions.  
     [0118] For convenience of explanation, text items and layout items such as a contract header (e.g., addresses of contract partners), further information (e.g., indication on the duration of the contract, deadlines), further conditions etc. are not illustrated.  
     [0119] During communication between computer  901  and computer  902 , the template is converted to final document  230 .  
     [0120]FIG. 8 is a simplified structure diagram of final document  230  that is derived from template document  220 . Document  230  comprise technical representations for:  
     [0121] the type being a publication contract,  
     [0122] the work identification being “Novel ALPHA”,  
     [0123] a value range for X being identified for 1000 or less copies that are sold,  
     [0124] the statement that royalties are paid with 10 currency nits per copy,  
     [0125] the limitation of the territory to DE, CH, and AT,  
     [0126] the limitation of the language to German,  
     [0127] the expiration year 2005,  
     [0128] the indication that owner MC owns the right exclusively, and  
     [0129] the indication that the publishing format is not specified.  
     [0130] The entries in document  230  are automatically taken into account when computer  903  provides X (i.e. counts the copies) and computer  901  calculates Y (i.e. the royalties to the paid).  
     [0131] The right column indicates that final document  230  relates representations of right (R), the work (W) and the functional statement (F).  
     [0132]FIG. 9 is a simplified flow chart diagram of method  400  of the present invention. Method  400  for managing rights that relate to works comprises the following steps:  410  providing database,  420  selecting template document,  430  communicating to derive final document,  440  setting state to active,  450  receiving X,  460  calculating Y=F(X), and  470  forwarding Y.  
     [0133] More in detail, the steps are executed (by computer  901 ) as follows:  
     [0134] In step providing  410 , provided are: database  210  with representations of the works W, with representations of applicable rights R for the works, and with states S is provided on computer  901 .  
     [0135] In step selecting  420 , for a given work (e.g., ALPHA), template document  220  that corresponds to the representation of the right R for the work W is selected.  
     [0136] In step communicating  430 , computers  901  and  902  communicate to derive final document  230  from template document  220 . Final document  230  has functional statement Y=F(X). The statement uses first indicator X and second indicator Y. Final document  230  is associated with database  210  (cf. FIG. 2) and relates the representations of the work W and of the right R, and the state S with the functional statement.  
     [0137] In step setting  440 , computer  901  sets state S to active as a condition for further steps.  
     [0138] In step receiving  450 , computer  901  receives first indicator X from computer  903 .  
     [0139] In step calculating  460 , computer  901  calculates second indicator Y according to the statement.  
     [0140] In step forwarding  470 , computer  901  forwards second indicator Y to second computer  902 .  
     [0141] The present invention is now summarized for computer-based system, computer-program product and article of manufacture.  
     [0142] Computer-based system  999  employs operatively interconnected data processing and computer means (e.g., processor, memory as in FIG. 1) for managing intellectual property rights. System  999  has—on first computer  901 —database  210  with representations of works W, with representations of applicable rights R for the works, and with states S.  
     [0143] On the first computer  901 , system  999  has template document  220  selectable to correspond to the representation of the right R for the work W.  
     [0144] On second computer  902 , system  999  has a communicator for communicating between first computer  901  and second computer  902  to derive final document  230  from template document  220 . Final document  230  has a functional statement (Y=F(X)), with first indicator X (going into computer  901 ) and with second indicator Y. Final document  230  is associated with database  210  and relates the representations of work W and of right R, state S and functional statement F.  
     [0145] On the first computer  901 , system  999  has means for setting the state S to active, means for receiving  450  the first indicator X from third computer  903 , means for calculating  460  the second indicator Y according to the functional statement F, and means for forwarding  460  the second indicator Y to the second computer  902 .  
     [0146] Computer-program product  101  (cf. FIG. 2) has a plurality of code portions with cause processor  911  of computer  901  to manage intellectual property rights.  
     [0147] Computer-program product  101  comprises: code portions for providing  410 —on first computer  901 —database  210  with representations of the works W, with representations of applicable rights R for the works, and with states S; code portions for selecting  420  template document  220  that corresponds to the representation of the right R for the work W; code portions for communicating  430  between the first computer  901  and second computer  902  to derive final document  230  from template document  220 , final document  230  having a functional statement with a first indicator (X) going into first computer  901  and with a second indicator (Y), final document  230  being associated with database  210  and relating the representations of the work W and of the right R, the state S and the functional statement; code portions for setting  440  the state S to active; code portions for receiving  450  the first indicator (X) from third computer  903 , code portions for calculating  460  the second indicator (Y) according to the functional statement; and code portions for forwarding  460  the second indicator (Y) to second computer  902 .  
     [0148] An article of manufacture with a computer readable medium has computer readable program code means embodied therein for managing rights that relate to works, the program code means executes the following steps: providing  410  on a first computer a database with representations of the works W, with representations of applicable rights R for the works, and with states S; for a given work ALPHA, selecting  420  a template document that corresponds to the representation of the right R for the work W; communicating  430  between the first computer and a second computer to derive a final document from the template document, the final document having a functional statement with a first indicator going into the first computer and with a second indicator, the final document being associated with the database and relating the representations of the work W and of the right R, the state S and the functional statement; setting  440  the state S to active; receiving  450  the first indicator X from a third computer; calculating  460  the second indicator Y according to the functional statement and forwarding  460  the second indicator Y to the second computer.  
     [0149] Glossary of Terms  
     [0150] “Copyrighted work” means any work that is authored and protected by U.S. and international copyright laws, including, without limitation, literary works; musical works, including any accompanying words; dramatic works, including any accompanying music; pantomimes and choreographic works; pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works; motion pictures and other audiovisual works; sound recordings; architectural works; and software.  
     [0151] “Medium” and “media” refer to any representation of a work, stored within computer memory, resident on CD-ROM or magnetic disks, transmitted as a digital file through email, an on-line service, the World Wide Web (WWW), or the Internet; or communicated as a file within or into a computer network, such as a LAN or WAN, and including any communication obtained through remote access, such as through application software. Advantageously, the medium is a digital medium. Traditional media like microfiche, analogue tapes, or films can also be used.  
     [0152] “Digital work”, refers to any work that has been reduced to a digital representation. This includes any audio, video, text, or multimedia work and any accompanying interpreter (e.g. software) that may be required for recreating the work.  
     [0153] “Copy of digital work”, or “copy” refers to duplicate of the work on electronic media.  
     [0154] Author (“creator”) A term which refers to a party who produces a work.  
     [0155] “Distributor” refers to a party who legitimately obtains a copy of a digital work and offers it for sale.  
     [0156] “Categories with attributes” conveniently divide some or all rights. Further examples are: Category “market” refers to the market for that a copy of the work is intended for (e.g., theater, music hall, audio broadcast, free television, pay television, pay-per-view television). Category “Language” refers to a natural language that used. The category “format” refers to the physical representation of the product, for example, video, digital versatile disc (DVD), hard cover book, soft cover book, book on demand, compact disc (CD), electronic book, magnetic cassette (MC), MP3-file.  
                               References                                                X, Y   indicators           F, Y = F(X)   functional statement           YYYY   year, such as 2001           ALPHA, BETA   examples for works           W   work           S   state           R   right           101   computer program product           210   database           220   template document           230   final document           400, 4xx   method and steps           410   providing database           420   selecting template document           430   communicating to derive final               document           440   setting state to active           450   receiving           460   calculating           470   forwarding           901, 902, 903   computers           999   computer system