Patent Publication Number: US-8117130-B2

Title: Batch loading and self-registration of digital media files

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This present application claims priority to Aydar et. Al&#39;s Provisional Patent Application No. 60/638,009 entitled DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE filed Dec. 20, 2004, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. The present application is also a continuation in part of Fanning et al&#39;s patent application Ser. No. 10/547,171, filed on Jun. 20, 2006, which application is a 35 U.S.C. §371 application of International Application No. PCT/US2004/005517 filed Feb. 24, 2004 (designating the United States), which in turn claims priority to Fanning et al&#39;s Provisional Patent Application No. 60/450,015, filed Feb. 25, 2003, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application generally relates to the field of regulating access to content. The present application relates more specifically to regulating downloading and other machine reproductions of digitally stored memory contents based on the rights of the owners of the content. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bootlegging, surreptitious copying and other methods of acquiring content without compensating a rights-holder for content is an old problem. From the advent of movable type (and relatively easy printing) through the introduction of photocopying, technology has made copying and effectively stealing content easier and easier. The march of technology has recently caught audio and video content in its wake, particularly with the rise of the Internet. 
     However, this latest technology is based on digital representations of contents in memory, which can also incorporate various forms of copy protection and can allow for monitoring of transactions. Peer-to-peer networks and centralized content outlets presently exist. Exemplary of peer-to-peer content outlets are Gnutella™ and Kazaa™. Exemplary of centralized content outlets are iTunes™, Audible.com™ and the defunct Napster™. Such content outlets provide access to a repository of content available typically as individual tracks of either audio (songs for example) or audiovisual/visual (movies for example) works. Presently, most content outlets may also be categorized as either authorized or unauthorized, with authorized content outlets providing content under a license from rights-holders and unauthorized content outlets providing unlicensed content. While some digital content may not require a license, most content of interest to consumers exists under restrictions of copyright held by authors and performers or their assignees. 
     Many of the rights-holders of digital content are assignees of performers. Examples of rights-holders include media controllers such as studios, record labels and media companies, along with individual authors or performers. With current downloading technology and methodologies, many of the copies of content made in the downloading process are not licensed, and the rights-holders are not compensated for these copies. 
     In addition to problems regarding unlicensed copies, problems also arise with tracking the individual rights to each individual song or other type of content. Some rights-holders have lost records of what content they hold rights to. Disputes over ownership between multiple potential rights-holders over content commonly arise, with these disputes consuming large amounts of resources to resolve. Further, some rights-holders have rights to vast amounts of content whereas other rights-holders may be concerned with small amounts of content. 
     In addition to the burdens on the rights-holder, the above issues also place a substantial burden on retailers who must ascertain what the rights are, who holds them, and what is the correct amount of compensation for each individual piece of content. 
     Currently there is no solution that allows both retailers and rights-holders a complete way to monitor and compensate for the sale of digital content. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, apparatuses and methods of varying scope. Various exemplary embodiments are described herein relating to a system, database and interface that provide a plurality of exemplary processes and methods that manage digital content. Numerous exemplary methods are provided that relate to digital file identification and the management of the digital files by the rights-holder. Various embodiments are also provided relating to interfaces and services that enable the rights-holder to self register, manage and monitor the commerce and disputes related to each file. Other embodiments include searching networks and providing a list of potentially owned files to a rights-holder and a track listening service that allows tracks to be played for a rights-holder, so that rights to the track may be asserted. In addition to the aspects of the present invention described in this summary, further aspects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by reading the detailed description that follows. 
     A method and apparatus for regulating content is provided. In one embodiment, the invention is a method that includes interfacing with a content outlet. The method further includes comparing attributes of content to be downloaded with attributes of content in a media database. The method also includes providing restrictions based on a result of the comparing. The method may further include monetizing the method and additionally, distributing royalty payments to rights-holders of content. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the invention is a system that includes a database of content. The system also includes a rights-holder interface for allowing a rights-holder to assert rights and enter or download tracks into the system. The system further includes a content outlet interface. The system may further include a web crawler and a financial interface. 
     In another alternate embodiment, the invention is a method that includes receiving a song selection. The method also includes comparing the song selection to records of a database of songs. The method further includes indicating results of the comparing. The method may also include monetizing the method. The method may further include providing restrictions to the song. The method may also include indicating the song is unclaimed. The method may further include prohibiting copying of the song. 
     In yet another alternate embodiment, the invention is an apparatus that includes means for tracking content. The apparatus also includes means for interfacing between content users and the means for tracking content. The apparatus further includes means for interfacing between content rights-holders and the means for tracking content. 
     In yet another alternate embodiment, the invention is a method that includes receiving a song claim. The method also includes comparing the song claim to records of a database of songs. The method further includes indicating results of the comparing. The method may further include indicating a dispute exists. The method may also include resolving the dispute. The method may further include forwarding royalties. 
     In still another embodiment, the invention is a method. The method includes crawling a network with an intelligent agent to find content. The method further includes evaluating the content. The method also includes transmitting a digital fingerprint of the content to a database of content. The method further includes storing the digital fingerprint of the content in the database of the content. 
     In still another embodiment, the invention is a method that searches for content and provides a list to a rights-holder of potentially owned files. The method may further include providing a track listening service that provides the ability to retrieve, store and listen to selected and potentially owned files. 
     In still another embodiment, the invention is a system that provides a dispute resolution services that enables collections of royalties while disputes are settled, and a retail system that provides analysis of earnings and potential earnings based on commerce data. 
     Embodiments of the invention presented are exemplary and illustrative in nature, rather than restrictive. The scope of the invention is determined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures. However, the embodiments and figures are illustrative rather than limiting, they provide examples of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a system for controlling access to content; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a method of determining rights-holders of content; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of a method of providing content; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a system for providing content; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of a system for determining rights-holders of content; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a record of content in a database; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of a medium (or media) which may in turn embody instructions which, when executed by a processor, may cause the processor to perform a method; 
         FIG. 8  shows embodiments of several computer systems that are coupled together through a network; 
         FIG. 9  shows one embodiment of a conventional computer system that can be used as a client computer system or a server computer system or as a web server system; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an alternate embodiment of a system for controlling access to content; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a method for controlling access to content; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a method for billing rights-holders of content; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates another method for billing rights-holders of content; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a method of royalty collection and distribution to rights-holders of content; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an embodiment of a system for tracking, storing and monitoring content for rights-holders and retailers; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an embodiment of a method of determining rights-holders of content; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an embodiment of a method of populating an open copyright database of content; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an embodiment of a method of loading data into a database of content. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates an embodiment of a method of providing a self-registration interface for rights-holders of content; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an embodiment of a method of interacting with a database of content; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates an embodiment of a method of matching and comparing files within a database of content; 
         FIG. 22  illustrates an embodiment of a method of providing a plurality of interfaces to rights-holders of content; 
         FIG. 23  is a screen shot provided by an interface of one embodiment of the present system; 
         FIG. 24  is a screen shot provided by an overview interface of one embodiment of the present system of determining rights-holders of content; 
         FIG. 25  is a screen shot provided by an account manager interface of one embodiment of the present system; 
         FIG. 26  is another screen shot provided by an account manager interface of one embodiment of the present system; 
         FIG. 27  is a screen shot provided by a track categories interface of one embodiment of the present system; 
         FIG. 28  is a screen shot provided by a catalog interface of one embodiment of the present system; 
         FIG. 29  is a screen shot provided by a track information interface of one embodiment of the present system; 
         FIG. 30  is a screen shot provided by an interface of one embodiment of the system of determining rights-holders of content; 
         FIG. 31  is a screen shot provided by an interface of another embodiment of the system of determining rights-holders of content; 
         FIG. 32  is a screen shot provided by a rules interface of one embodiment of the system; 
         FIG. 33  is a screen shot provided by a search interface of one embodiment of the system; 
         FIG. 34  illustrates an embodiment of a method of using a track listening service; 
         FIG. 35  illustrates an embodiment of a method of a track listening service; 
         FIG. 36  is a screen shot provided by a track listening service interface of one embodiment of the system; 
         FIG. 37  illustrates a diagram of data stored in one embodiment of the system of determining rights-holders of content; 
         FIG. 38  illustrates a method of resolving disputes provided by one embodiment of the system of determining rights-holders of content; 
         FIG. 39  illustrates a method of providing retail information using one embodiment of the system of determining rights-holders of content; 
         FIG. 40  is a screen shot provided by a disputed tracks interface of one embodiment of the system; 
         FIG. 41  is a screenshot provided by a retail analysis interface of one embodiment of the system; 
         FIG. 42  illustrates a method of providing notices using an interface of one embodiment of the system; 
         FIG. 43  is a screen shot provided by a billing interface of one embodiment of the system; 
         FIG. 44  is a screenshot of a notices interface provided by the present system; 
         FIG. 45  is a screen shot provided by a searching interface of one embodiment of the system; 
         FIG. 46  is a screen shot provided by a search results interface of one embodiment of the system; 
         FIG. 47  illustrates a method of searching a database of content; and 
         FIG. 48  illustrates a method of comparing rights-holder and retailer rules within a database of content. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     The present invention is described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, apparatuses and methods of varying scope. Various exemplary embodiments are described herein relating to a system, a database and interfaces that provide a plurality of exemplary processes and methods that track and manage digital content stored in media files. 
     Numerous exemplary methods are provided that relate to digital file identification and the management of the digital files by the rights-holder. Various other embodiments are also provided relating to interfaces and services that enable the rights-holder to self register, manage and monitor the commerce and disputes related to each file for both rights-holders and retailers. Other embodiments include searching networks and providing a list of potentially owned files to a rights-holder and a track listening service that allows tracks to be played for a rights-holder, so that rights to the track may be asserted. Further embodiments relate to financial analysis and collections and disbursement of royalties from the sale of content. In addition to the aspects of the present invention described, further aspects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by reading the detailed description that follows. 
     Note, preferably, the systems and methods described herein operate in a real-time or near real-time manner. For example, a query may be sent by a content outlet to a database, with a response from the database delivered with minimal delay based on results of the query. This may be achieved in part based on local caching of responses at the content outlet system. This may also be achieved through use of known database technology. 
     The apparatus and methods may be understood by reference to an embodiment of a system.  FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a system for controlling access to content stored in media files. The system may be used to determine who holds rights to content, identify content to be downloaded, and restrict access to content based on preferences of the rights-holder. Moreover, the system allows for monetization of this process. System  10  includes a database  18 , content outlets  12 ,  14  and  16 , a claim interface  20 , rights-holders  22 ,  24  and  26 , and a crawler  28 . 
     Database  18  includes attributes related to content. For example, a media file or item of content may have attributes for title, author, performer, rights-holders, size/length, type of content, digital fingerprint, rights restrictions, and other attributes as subsequently described. Moreover, a piece of content may have an authorized copy of the content, and the authorized copy may incorporate digital rights management or other restrictive parameters used to implement rights restrictions specified by rights-holders. 
     Traditional retailers  12  are content media file outlets which operate using licensed content and provide compensation to rights-holders. Unauthorized peer-to-peer (p2p) networks  14  are content outlets which provide content regardless of licensing status and without attempting to compensate rights-holders. Authorized peer-to-peer (p2p) networks  16  are downloading networks using peer-to-peer technology which use licensed content and provide compensation to rights-holders. Note that not all of content outlets  12 ,  14  and  16  all exist (are in business or organized as a network for example) at one time. 
     When a content outlet  12 ,  14  or  16  is ready to provide a media file, song or other content for download, it may query database  18  and determine if there are any restrictions on the content. If the content in question is identifiable in comparison to content for which attributes are stored in the database  18 , then other attributes of the content will provide information about restrictions on the content (such as limited copying, play-only versions, limited-use versions for example). These restrictions may then be embedded with the content which is provided for download by the content outlet. Alternatively, an authorized copy of content may be provided, thereby embedding desired restrictions and preserving quality at a certain level. 
     Determining the restrictions on content requires determining who owns or has rights to the content (the rights-holders). Claim interface  20  allows for access to the database  18  by rights-holders. Rights-holders  22 ,  24  and  26  may all use claim interface  20  to assert ownership or other rights in content. Preferably, rights-holders provide content which they have rights in, and that content may then be evaluated to determine attributes such as title, type of content, and digital fingerprint. Alternatively, media files or content may be discovered on the Internet or other networks, and rights-holders may then use the claim interface to assert rights in the work embodied in the content so discovered. For example, the crawler  28  may be implemented to traverse links on the World Wide Web and thereby discover content, which may then be evaluated by rights-holders to determine whether anyone has a claim to ownership of the content. 
     Note, in some embodiments, claim interface  20  is an API, or application programming interface for example. The claim interface  20  may operate in a variety of ways. For example, it may be a graphical user interface, allowing for entry of information about content, such as attributes including author, title, performer, for example. This information may be used to query database  18  to determine if such a file or content is known to the database  18 , or it may be used to enter these attributes into the database  18 . Alternatively, the claim interface  20  may be implemented for some form of bulk or batch data entry, whereby a stream or file of data is provided to the claim interface related to numerous separate or related pieces of content, either for query purposes or for data entry purposes for example. Moreover, the claim interface  20  may allow for entry of actual content into the database  18 . Whether actual content or a digital fingerprint of the content (or both) is stored, querying the database  18  based on content may occur by comparing digital fingerprints. 
     On occasion, rights-holders  22 ,  24  and  26  may assert multiple conflicting claims to a media file or content. Not all multiple claims will conflict. For example, authorship and performance of a song may both provide copyright rights for a separate author and performer, without an outright conflict. That the two rights-holders disagree about how to handle content is not the same as a conflict where two entities purport to be the owner of an authorship copyright on a song. When the same rights are asserted by multiple parties, some form of conflict resolution may be necessary. Royalties may be held in trust, or the song (or other content) may be restricted from any copying. Alternatively, ownership conflicts may be initially decided based on a reputation rating maintained by the claim interface, with high reputation rankings assigned to reputable companies or companies having previously proven content ownership, and low rankings assigned to those having asserted false claims or with little prior experience. Preferably, an appeal process may be implemented to allow for human intervention after a determination based on reputation rankings occurs. For example, a reputable label may assert claims to its catalog as it stood on a particular date. Another small label may assert claims to a set of songs within this catalog. The reputations may be such that the reputable label wins. However, the small label may be able to show an assignment of rights to a human and thus prove its claims. Alternatively, the small label may be acting improperly, and thus correctly have its claims rejected. 
     In addition to the features provided by the system of  FIG. 1  relating to interfaces and services that enable the rights-holder to self register, manage and monitor the commerce and disputes related to each content file, other embodiments include searching the p2p networks and providing a list of potentially owned files to a rights-holder and a track listening service that allows tracks to be played for a rights-holder, so that rights to the track may be asserted. It is noted that the processes and interfaces subsequently described herein would be enable by the system of  FIG. 1  and would also be enabled by the systems described in  FIGS. 4-10  and  FIGS. 14-15 . 
     Various exemplary methods may be used to determine who is legitimately a rights-holder to content.  FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of one method  30  of determining rights-holders of content. The method may be implemented in conjunction with a system such as that described with respect to  FIG. 1 , or with an alternative systems as subsequently described. The method  30  includes a series of modules for identifying media, receiving claims to the media, resolving disputed claims, and registering the rights-holder. Note that not all of these modules may be required for a working method, as a useful method may be implemented using some subset of the modules described. At module  32 , the media file or content is identified. This may occur as a result of content submitted for identification by a content outlet, content submitted as part of a claim by a rights-holder, or content discovered by a software process or agent which crawls a network. The identification of media files is described in further detail below. 
     At module  34 , claims to the content are asserted. Note that these modules may interact in a fashion other than linearly, such that claims may be asserted well after content is identified, and even after a rights-holder has been identified. With a claim asserted, information about the content will also be supplied, such as author, performer, title, digital fingerprint of content, even an authorized copy of content. 
     If multiple claims are asserted, at module  36  disputes between claims are resolved. As mentioned with respect to  FIG. 1 , this may involve reputation based resolution, or may involve only human intervention. At module  38 , rights-holder(s) to the content are registered, along with their requirements of restrictions on copying the content. At this point, access to the file content may be controlled based on rights asserted by the rights-holders, and royalties on the content may be distributed to the rights-holders as copying occurs. Moreover, changes in rights to the file content may be tracked, allowing for assignments or expirations of copyrights (should that ever be allowed). Note that not all of these modules may be required for a working method, as a useful method may be implemented using some subset of the modules described. Also, note that monetization of this method may occur, such as through a fee for asserting claims or resolving disputes, or through some form of subscription or periodic fee for example. 
     Whether the rights-holders to content are clear or not, some content may be provided by various methods.  FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method  40  of providing media files and content. The method  40  may be implemented in conjunction with a system such as that described with respect to  FIGS. 1 ,  10 ,  14 - 15 , or with alternative systems for example. The method includes receiving a request for media or content, comparing media to contents of a database, providing restrictions to the media, collecting royalties, and forwarding royalties. Again, note that not all of these modules may be required for a working method, as a useful method may be implemented using some subset of the modules described. 
     At module  42 , a request for media or content is received. This request may come from a content outlet for example, which is attempting to satisfy requirements imposed by copyright law. At module  44 , the media or content is compared to records in a database to determine what the content is. Preferably, a digital fingerprint or similar technology is used to identify the content, such that digital fingerprints may be compared. Alternatively, attributes such as title, author, and/or performer for example may be compared. Moreover, content may be compared bodily, such that two digital files representing songs may be compared on a bitwise level for example. When a hit or a match is found, the database may have information about copyright restrictions and rights-holders who are due royalties. 
     At module  46 , any available restrictions are provided. This may be as simple as providing a message or set of parameters, with the parameters embedded or otherwise including as digital rights management restrictions. Alternatively, this may involve providing an authorized copy with embedded restrictions. As another alternative, a rights-holder may prohibit copying, such that the content outlet must not perform the download. 
     At module  48 , royalties are collected. This may occur in the form of a payment from the content outlet to the operator of the database, with records of the database used to account for such payments. Note that rather than processing a micropayment for each song or other piece of content, periodic payments of many individual royalties may be made (such as monthly payments for example). Moreover, at module  50 , royalties are forwarded to rights-holders. This may again involve a periodic payment based on multiple individual micropayments. Additionally, royalties may be forwarded after deduction of a fee for handling the royalties, either as a percentage or as some form of fixed fee. Likewise, payments may be required for each request for media, each successful request (a match is found), or each request resulting in a download for example. Other options for monetization may also be employed, such as a subscription model for example. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a system  52  for providing media files and content. The system may allow for interaction between content outlets (retailers) and a database of media files to determine restrictions on content and collect royalties. The system  52  includes a database  62 , plug-in interface  64 , retail interface  58 , plug-in  60 , and may be used in conjunction with retailers  54  and  56 . The system  52  may be part of a larger network or system, the portion illustrated is useful for working with content outlets. 
     Database  62  is a database of content, attributes related to content, or both. It may be accessed through plugin interface  64  or through retail interface  58 . Retailer  56  is a content outlet which accesses database  62  through retail interface  58 . Retailer  56  may allow for download of music through its system for example, and may query database  62  to determine the status of songs to be downloaded. The query may be sent with attributes of the songs/content or with the actual songs/content. The return information from database  62  may include an indication the content has not been claimed, restrictions on the content, an authorized copy of the content, or an indication of prohibition of copying content. As illustrated, retailer  56  must handle these signals and properly format its queries for use with interface  58 , but otherwise directly queries database  62 . 
     Alternatively, retailer  54  may be a content outlet which integrates into its software plugin  60 . Plugin  60  may be a local interface module which works with software used by retailer  54  in either a previously specified or a customized manner. Retailer  54  may query plugin  60  about availability of content (such as a song) for download. Plugin  60  may then pass the query to plugin interface  64 , which may then properly query database  62  about the content in question. The response from database  62  may then be interpreted or reformatted by plugin interface  64  and plugin  60  such that retailer  54  may use the response in its processing. Generally, the response would be the same as that provided to retailer  56  in the above description. Note that plugin  60  may perform relatively simple activities such as reformatting data, or more complex activities, such as determining a digital fingerprint for content provided by retail outlet  54 . 
     Just as various methods of providing content may use various systems, various methods of determining rights-holders may use various systems.  FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system  66  for determining rights-holders of content. The system illustrated may be part of a larger system, the portion illustrated is useful for working with rights-holders. The system  66  may allow for interaction between rights-holders and a content database to register rights-holders and resolve disputes. The system  66  includes a database  68 , bulk claim interface  70 , claim interface  72 , and is designed to work with rights-holders  74  and  76  (among others). 
     Database  68  is a content database, such as database  18  of  FIG. 1 . Database  68  may include content, attributes of content, or both. Bulk claim interface  70  is an interface that allows for submission of multiple or numerous claims (such as submission of claims for performance copyright to a set of songs and the associated collections of those songs for example). Bulk claim interface  70  may be restricted to access by rights-holders known to submit multiple claims, or may be provided for any rights-holder willing to use a stream of information rather than a user interface. As an example, rights-holder  74  may assert claims to all songs in a catalog it has just purchased from another rights-holder by providing a file with information about all of the content in the catalog in question. 
     Alternatively, for assertions of rights to only a few songs or pieces of content, claim interface  72  may be used. Claim interface  72  may be a graphical user interface or other human-interactive interface which an employee of a rights-holder to an individual rights-holder may use. For example, rights-holder  76  may assert authorship copyright to his or her set of published songs (which may be a small number for many authors) using claim interface  72 . One may expect that claim interface  72  would allow for entry of all available attributes, along with submission of a digital fingerprint or authorized copy of content. 
     For each interface ( 70 ,  72 ), results may come in the form of registration of the rights-holder, indication of a conflict (with or without resolution), indication of a match between the content registered and previously entered content (such as found by a crawler or requested by a content outlet), or some other result. In the case of the bulk claim interface  70 , these results may be provided as a file or stream of results sent to the rights-holder  74 , or as information available for access by the rights-holder  76  at convenience of the user. In the case of claim interface  72 , these results may be provided graphically or in another manner intelligible to a user, or may be available for lookup after periodic processing/updates of the database occur. Note that the operations of this system may be monetized, such that rights-holders may pay to register claims, to receive royalties, or for some other form of service. Payment of royalties, such as due to registration of a rights-holder for an item of content, are not illustrated in the figure, but are subsequently described and may be understood as to occur either electronically or by means of mailing of checks to rights-holders for example. 
     To track information related to content and rights-holders, various data structures may be used.  FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a record of content  80  in a database  78 . The record  80 , in one embodiment, is organized into a set of attributes  82 , which may be stored as name-value pairs (or code-value pairs). Note that none of the attributes  82  are necessarily mandatory. Attributes illustrated include title  84  (title of a song for example), author  86  (author/composer of a song for example), performer  88  (performer of a song for example), fingerprint  90  (digital fingerprint of a song in digital format for example), length  92  (playing time of a song for example), authorized copy  94  (copy to be provided when content is requested for example), rights-holder  96  (first rights-holder associated with content for example), and rights-holder  98  (second rights-holder associated with content for example). 
     Note that each of these attributes may also apply to a movie, comedic performance, document (maybe not the performer  88  in that case) or other form of content in a media file. Also, note that other attributes may be stored, such as restrictions for DRM purposes or prohibitions on copies for example. Similarly, other formats or relationships for the data in question may be utilized, such as formats dictated by metadata in a database for example. Thus, the data structure or record of  FIG. 6  is illustrative rather than restrictive in nature.  FIG. 37  also shows another embodiment of data stored in the system database. 
     Data structures of various types may be used with programs, which are typically embodied in media or a medium.  FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a medium (or media) which may in turn embody instructions which, when executed by a processor, may cause the processor to perform a method. A medium may be a single piece of media or a collection of media, without materially changing the medium. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the medium includes a control module, claim interfaces (for rights-holders), outlet interfaces, and a database interface. More specifically, medium  100  includes a control module  102 , bulk claim interface  104 , individual claim interface  106 , database interface  108 , plugin interface  110 , and retailer interface  112 . 
     Bulk claim interface  104  and individual claim interface  106  are modules which implement the claim interface for rights-holders. Rights-holders with large numbers of claims to content or a steady stream of claims to content may use bulk claim interface  106  to provide claim information. Rights-holders with few claims or infrequent claims may use individual claim interface  106 . Similarly, plugin interface  110  and retailer interface  112  are modules which implement the interface with content outlets. Content outlets may include a plugin, and thereby use plugin interface  110 , or not include a plugin, and communicate directly with retailer interface  112 . 
     Database interface  108  interfaces with a database of content and rights-holder information. Control module  102  controls each of the other modules. Thus, control module  102  may process a request from a retailer through plugin interface  110  or retailer interface  112  by causing database interface  108  to search for content within an associated database. Upon finding a match, information from database interface  108  may be directed back to either plugin interface  110  or retailer interface  112  and thereby to the content outlet originally submitting the request. 
     Similarly, control module  102  may receive a claim either through bulk claim interface  104  or individual claim interface  106 , and direct that information through database interface  108  to the associated database. Control module  102  may manage resolution of conflicting claims based on feedback from database interface  108 . Moreover, control module may send information about royalty rates and download frequency through claim interfaces  104  and  106  to rights-holders, along with electronic payments of royalties. Note that control  102  may also direct a crawler interface (not shown) which may be used to receive information about content and populate a database through database interface  108 . Such a medium may be used in conjunction with various computer or machine embodiments. 
     The following description of  FIGS. 8-9  is intended to provide an overview of computer hardware and other operating components suitable for performing the methods of the invention described above, but is not intended to limit the applicable environments. Similarly, the computer hardware and other operating components may be suitable as part of the apparatuses of the invention described above. The invention can be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention can also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. 
       FIG. 8  shows several computer systems  114  that are coupled together through a network  116 , such as the Internet. The term “Internet” as used herein refers to a network of networks which uses certain protocols, such as the TCP/IP protocol, and possibly other protocols such as the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) for hypertext markup language (HTML) documents that make up the World Wide Web (web). The physical connections of the Internet and the protocols and communication procedures of the Internet are well known to those of skill in the art. 
     Access to the Internet  116  is typically provided by Internet service providers (ISP), such as the ISPs  118  and  120 . Users on client systems, such as client computer systems  126 ,  130 ,  134 , and  138  obtain access to the Internet through the Internet service providers, such as ISPs  118  and  120 . Access to the Internet allows users of the client computer systems to exchange information, receive and send e-mails, and view documents, such as documents which have been prepared in the HTML format. These documents are often provided by web servers, such as web server  122  which is considered to be “on” the Internet. Often these web servers are provided by the ISPs, such as ISP  118 , although a computer system can be set up and connected to the Internet without that system also being an ISP. 
     The web server  122  is typically at least one computer system which operates as a server computer system and is configured to operate with the protocols of the World Wide Web and is coupled to the Internet. Optionally, the web server  122  can be part of an ISP which provides access to the Internet for client systems. The web server  122  is shown coupled to the server computer system  124  which itself is coupled to web content  150 , which can be considered a form of a media database. While two computer systems  122  and  124  are shown in  FIG. 8 , the web server system  122  and the server computer system  124  can be one computer system having different software components providing the web server functionality and the server functionality provided by the server computer system  124  which will be described further below. 
     Client computer systems  126 ,  130 ,  134 , and  138  can each, with the appropriate web browsing software, view HTML pages provided by the web server  122 . The ISP  118  provides Internet connectivity to the client computer system  126  through the modem interface  128  which can be considered part of the client computer system  126 . The client computer system can be a personal computer system, a network computer, a Web TV system, or other such computer system. 
     Similarly, the ISP  120  provides Internet connectivity for client systems  130 ,  134 , and  138 , although as shown in  FIG. 8 , the connections are not the same for these three computer systems. Client computer system  130  is coupled through a modem interface  132  while client computer systems  134  and  138  are part of a LAN. While  FIG. 8  shows the interfaces  128  and  132  as generically as a “modem,” each of these interfaces can be an analog modem, ISDN modem, cable modem, satellite transmission interface (e.g. “Direct PC”), or other interfaces for coupling a computer system to other computer systems. 
     Client computer systems  134  and  138  are coupled to a LAN  142  through network interfaces  136  and  140 , which can be Ethernet network or other network interfaces. The LAN  142  is also coupled to a gateway computer system  152  which can provide firewall and other Internet related services for the local area network. This gateway computer system  152  is coupled to the ISP  120  to provide Internet connectivity to the client computer systems  134  and  138 . The gateway computer system  152  can be a conventional server computer system. Also, the web server system  122  can be a conventional server computer system. 
     Alternatively, a server computer system  144  can be directly coupled to the LAN  142  through a network interface  146  to provide files  148  and other services to the clients  134 ,  138 , without the need to connect to the Internet through the gateway system  152 . 
       FIG. 9  shows one example of a conventional computer system  154  that can be used as a client computer system or a server computer system or as a web server system. Such a computer system  154  can be used to perform many of the functions of an Internet service provider, such as ISP  118 . The computer system  154  interfaces to external systems through the modem or network interface  158 . It will be appreciated that the modem or network interface  158  can be considered to be part of the computer system  154 . This interface  158  can be an analog modem, ISDN modem, cable modem, token ring interface, satellite transmission interface (e.g. “Direct PC”), or other interfaces for coupling a computer system to other computer systems. 
     The computer system  154  includes a processor  156 , which can be a conventional microprocessor such as an Intel Pentium microprocessor or Motorola Power PC microprocessor. Memory  164  is coupled to the processor  156  by a bus  174 . Memory  164  can be dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and can also include static RAM (SRAM). The bus  174  couples the processor  156  to the memory  164 , also to non-volatile storage  166 , to display controller  160 , and to the input/output (I/O) controller  170 . 
     The display controller  160  controls in the conventional manner a display on a display device  162  which can be a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD). The input/output devices  168  can include a keyboard, disk drives, printers, a scanner, and other input and output devices, including a mouse or other pointing device. The display controller  160  and the I/O controller  170  can be implemented with conventional well known technology. A digital image input device  168  can be a digital camera which is coupled to an I/O controller  170  in order to allow images from the digital camera to be input into the computer system  154 . 
     The non-volatile storage  166  is often a magnetic hard disk, an optical disk, or another form of storage for large amounts of data. Some of this data is often written, by a direct memory access process, into memory  164  during execution of software in the computer system  154 . One of skill in the art will immediately recognize that the terms “machine-readable medium” or “computer-readable medium” includes any type of storage device that is accessible by the processor  156  and also encompasses a carrier wave that encodes a data signal. 
     The computer system  154  is one example of many possible computer systems which have different architectures. For example, personal computers based on an Intel microprocessor often have multiple buses, one of which can be an input/output (I/O) bus for the peripherals and one that directly connects the processor  156  and the memory  164  (often referred to as a memory bus). The buses are connected together through bridge components that perform any necessary translation due to differing bus protocols. 
     Network computers are another type of computer system that can be used with the present invention. Network computers do not usually include a hard disk or other mass storage, and the executable programs are loaded from a network connection into the memory  164  for execution by the processor  156 . A Web TV system, which is known in the art, is also considered to be a computer system according to the present invention, but it may lack some of the features shown in  FIG. 8 , such as certain input or output devices. A typical computer system will usually include at least a processor, memory, and a bus coupling the memory to the processor. 
     In addition, the computer system  154  is controlled by operating system software which includes a file management system, such as a disk operating system, which is part of the operating system software. One example of an operating system software with its associated file management system software is the family of operating systems known as Windows® from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., and their associated file management systems. Another example of an operating system software with its associated file management system software is the LINUX operating system and its associated file management system. The file management system is typically stored in the non-volatile storage  166  and causes the processor  156  to execute the various acts required by the operating system to input and output data and to store data in memory, including storing files on the non-volatile storage  166 . 
     Some portions of the detailed description are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of operations leading to a desired result. The operations are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. 
     It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system&#39;s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. 
     The present invention, in some embodiments, also relates to apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMS, and magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus. 
     The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below. In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language, and various embodiments may thus be implemented using a variety of programming languages. 
     The systems described in  FIGS. 7-9  are therefore capable of enabling the methods described herein regarding the identification and tracking of media files, and enable the interface screens provided to both retailers and rights-holders as subsequently described. 
     The database system of  FIG. 10  is another exemplary embodiment of a complete open online licensing and royalty distribution system  176  for digital media. Such a database system, in some embodiments, provides a centralized clearinghouse for all digital media. The system may enable content owners to protect the content owner&#39;s intellectual property rights associated with the content. The system can also provide authentication services, as well as tracking and reporting services associated with the management of the distribution of content. 
     In further detail, the system  176  includes a database  188  that stores data related to rights-holders  198 ,  200   202 ,  204 , distributors such as content retailers or outlets  178 ,  180 ,  182 , or  184  for example, and media files related to content (such as attributes or actual content for example). As illustrated, distributors  178 ,  180 ,  182  and  184  each use a plug-in  186  to interface with database  188 , thereby allowing for requests for permission to distribute content and responses including denial, unconditional permission, restricted permission, known good copies, or lack of data related to the content. Moreover, the plug-in  186  may function to monetize content transactions, allowing for use of the database  188  as a clearinghouse for royalties for example. 
     Rights-holders  198 ,  200 ,  202 , and  204  each claim rights through usage module  194  and set pricing or other restrictions through pricing module  196  for example. Data from modules  194  and  196  may be some or all of the data stored or encoded in database  188 . Accounting module  190  provides an interface to database  188  allowing for financial examination and control of database  188 . Similarly, reports module  192  provides an interface to database  188  allowing for production of visually perceptible presentations of data from database  188 , such as activity or commercial charts for example. 
     The exemplary system  176  provides numerous methods that allow both users and rights-holders to interact with the database  188 .  FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary process  206  provided by the system  176 . As described above, the modules set forth in the processes described herein may be enacted in a parallel (simultaneous) or serial (one at a time) manner. In module  208  the system determines licenses for digital media using multiple fingerprint technologies based on the type of media requested. In module  210  it is determined, in real-time, the licenses that are available to digital media distribution services based on the capability of the digital media distribution services to handle licensing restrictions. In module  212  the system enables the filtering (banning) of certain media files on third-party distributed systems. In module  214  the system enacts trusted accounting for media file license requests with third-party media distribution services. In module  216  it is determined, in real-time, the effects on income due to potential changes in licenses of online media. In module  218  the system modifies the available licenses for media files in real-time and causing the modified licenses to propagate to all participating media distribution services immediately. In module  220  the system provides time-based and limited licensing restrictions for digital media based on time of day, promotional periods, number of users who have the digital media file, etc. that are only made available to online media distribution services when the restrictions for the licenses are met by a system. In module  222  the system determines, in real-time, the licenses that are available to digital media distribution services based on the consumer&#39;s country of origin. The processes in the above modules are further enhanced by the interfacing techniques of the present invention as shown in  FIGS. 23-33 . 
     In addition to providing services to both users and rights-holders, the exemplary system  176  provides additional methods to generate revenue.  FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary method  224 , wherein the system collects income from a variety of sources. In module  226  the system charges transaction fees for content deployed by distribution services. In module  228  the system charges content owners for running the database and preventing piracy. In module  230  the system licenses technology to music services for both free and pay music services. In module  232  the system provides an authoring tool such as an interface for content creators to easily copyright and fingerprint their work online. In module  234  the system provides services for creation of the copyright database to the content owners. In module  236  the system charges for and enables new music services. 
     Regarding the new music services provided by the exemplary system  176 ,  FIG. 13  shows another exemplary process  238 . In module  240  the system collects ongoing fees for administration of rights accounting. In module  242  the system offers data-mining, reporting, and custom analytics. In module  244  the system audits rights compliances across music services. In module  246  the system enables a consumer “personal rights locker”. In module  248  the system provides an OEM music infrastructure, “Google of music”, searches and recommendations. 
     The system  176  also provides another exemplary process  250 , to provide a centralized system for the following functions as shown in  FIG. 14 . In module  252  the system allows copyright holders to offer licenses of their copyrighted intellectual property. In module  254  the system allows copyright holders to request filtering for their content. In module  256  the system allows online media distributors to get access, in real-time, to the licenses offered by the copyright holders based on the capabilities of the particular service. In module  258  the system handles real-time licensing rights accounting. In module  260  the system handles royalty collection. In module  262  the system handles royalty distribution. In module  264  the system allows online media distributors to determine, in real-time, the licensing status (or lack thereof) of items of content. 
     The exemplary system  176  may eliminate the barrier that prevents content from getting into the media distribution market. At the same time, the system may allow the content industries to leverage the system to filter out, in real-time, the content of illicit distribution services. 
       FIG. 15  is a block diagram that illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a media file tracking and management system  266 . Copyright-holders (rights-holders), such as labels, studios and artists publish on the system (in the database for example), the terms associated with digitally distributing the content owned by the copyright-holders. Distributors of digital media can then secure and pay for the content and media files on the system. This allows the consumer to get the full-breadth of high quality content (digital media) in a seamless and legal manner. In certain embodiments, the system employs a plug-in architecture that enables essentially instant access to a legitimate library of digital media. 
     According to certain embodiments, an apparatus is configured to accept, in real-time, licensing information about digital media from copyright holders or from owners of licensing rights, and allow third-party media distribution services to select, in real-time, the licenses for digital media that the media distribution services are interested in distributing. The apparatus, in some embodiments, may also be configured to process, in real-time, license requests for digital media from online media distribution services and to account for, in real-time, each license that is accessible. Further embodiments allow for real-time financial analysis and real-time overviews of a rights-holders portfolio of media files. 
       FIG. 15  shows a digital rights management system  266  that contains a centralized open copyright database  268 , a web crawler  270 , peer to peer (p2p) networks  272 , a track listening service  274 , an IDOL  276 , and a client access server  278 . Fingerprinting infrastructure  280 , is comprised of a fingerprint import database  282 , a fingerprint batch importer  284 , a fingerprint master  286 , a fingerprint slave  288 , and a fingerprint SQL database  290 . The fingerprinting infrastructure  280  is connected to the copyrights database  268  through an LPS  292 . 
     Regarding the business perspective of the system  266 , monthly transaction reports  294 , are sent to accounting  296 , where invoices  298  may be generated. Regarding the retailers  300 , and rights-holders  310 , they may access the system  266  through the use of interfaces such as transaction applications  302 , data export applications  304 , and a self-registration interface  308 . Rights-holders  310  may receive payments  312  from accounting  296 , while retailers make payments  314  to accounting  296 . 
     Regarding the registration of digital files within the system  266 , ownership and metadata information  324  are entered by the rights-holders into the system  266 . A batch import  322  further loads content into a music warehouse  320  for manual export  318  of digital content  316 . In addition to files being registered and fingerprinted by rights-holders, the fingerprinting infrastructure  280  allows files uncovered in the p2p networks  272  to be fingerprinted and entered into the database  268 . In this embodiment a media file such as a song is stored in the music warehouse  320 , while the metadata file information that allows access to the song (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) is stored in the database  268 . 
     The system  266  operates in real-time or near real-time. For example, a query may be sent by a rights-holder  310  to the open copyright database  268 , with a response from the database  268  delivered via the client access server  278  with minimal delay based on results of the query. This may be achieved in part based on local caching of responses at the client access server  278 . This may also be achieved through use of known database technology. The rights-holders  310  also have immediate access to the database through the use of numerous interfaces as subsequently described. 
     Database  268  includes attributes and file information related to the content of the media file. For example, a media file may have attributes for title, author, performer, rights-holders, size/length, type of content, digital fingerprint, rights restrictions, and other attributes. Moreover, a file may have an authorized copy of the content, and the authorized copy may incorporate digital rights management or other restrictive parameters used to implement rights restrictions specified by rights-holders. 
     When a user on the p2p network  272  requests a media file such as song or other content for download, it may query database  268  and determine restrictions on the content. If the content in question is identifiable in comparison to content for which attributes are stored in the database  268 , then other attributes of the content will provide information about restrictions on the content (such as limited copying, play-only versions, limited-use versions for example). These restrictions may then be embedded with the content which is provided for download by the content outlet. Alternatively, an authorized copy of content may be provided, thereby embedding desired restrictions and preserving quality at a certain level. Using the fingerprinting infrastructure  280 , the system  266  is also capable of fingerprinting and identifying unauthorized content outlet sources. 
     Determining the restrictions on content requires an identification of the file and determining who owns or has rights to the content (the rights-holders). The client access server  278  provides interfaces  302 ,  304 ,  306  and  308 , that allow access to the database  268  by rights-holders  310  and retailers  300 . Rights-holders  310  may all use the self registration interface  308  to assert ownership or other rights in content. Preferably, rights-holders  310  provide content which they have rights in, and that content may then be evaluated to determine attributes such as title, type of content, and digital fingerprint. Alternatively, content may be discovered on the Internet or other p2p networks  272 , and rights-holders  310  may then use the system interfaces to assert rights in the work embodied in the content so discovered. For example, the crawler  270  may be implemented to traverse links on the World Wide Web and thereby discover content, which may then be evaluated by rights-holders  310  to determine whether anyone has a claim to ownership of the content. 
     Note, in some embodiments, the interfaces or applications  302 ,  304 ,  306 , and  308  may be a variety of programmed interfaces that may operate in a variety of ways. For example, it may be a graphical user interface, allowing for entry of information about content, such as attributes including author, title, performer, for example.  FIGS. 23-33  also provide exemplary interface screens provided by the system  266 . Information entered through these interfaces may be used to query database  268  to determine if such content is known to the database  268 , or it may be used to enter these attributes into the database  268 . The system  266  is also implemented for some form of bulk or batch data entry  322 , whereby a stream or file of data is provided to the interfaces related to numerous separate or related pieces of content, either for query purposes or for data entry purposes for example. Moreover, the interfaces also allow for entry of actual content into the database  268 . Whether actual content or a digital fingerprint of the content (or both) is stored, querying the database  268  based on content may occur by comparing digital fingerprints. 
     Another feature of the system  266  is the ability to handle and resolve situations where a plurality of rights-holders  310  may assert multiple conflicting claims of ownership to a single media file of content. Not all multiple claims will conflict. For example, authorship and performance of a song may both provide copyright rights for a separate author and performer, without an outright conflict. That the two rights-holders  310  disagree about how to handle content is not the same as a conflict where two entities purport to be the owner of an authorship copyright on a song. When the same rights are asserted by multiple parties, some form of conflict resolution may be necessary. Royalties may be held in trust, or the song (or other content) may be restricted from any copying. Alternatively, ownership conflicts may be initially decided based on a reputation rating maintained by the claim interface, with high reputation rankings assigned to reputable companies or companies having previously proven content ownership, and low rankings assigned to those having asserted false claims or with little prior experience. Preferably, an appeal process may be implemented to allow for human intervention after a determination based on reputation rankings occurs. For example, a reputable label may assert claims to its catalog as it stood on a particular date. Another small label may assert claims to a set of songs within this catalog. The reputations may be such that the reputable label wins. However, the small label may be able to show an assignment of rights to a human and thus prove its claims. Alternatively, the small label may be acting improperly, and thus correctly have its claims rejected.  FIGS. 37-48  detail exemplary processes of rights and retail interactions with the system  266 . 
     Further operations and features of the system  266  are subsequently described referencing the processes and the interface screen shots provided by the system shown in  FIGS. 16-48 . Each module or step in the processes described below would be enacted by the system of  FIG. 15 . Note that not all of these modules may be required for a working method, as a useful method may be implemented using some subset of the modules described. 
       FIG. 16 . illustrates an exemplary process for receiving media files within the system  266 . In module  326  a connection is established with a digital rights manager. In module  328  the process uploads available files. In module  330  the process receives file states for known files. In module  332  the system uploads available data for known files. In module  334  the process commercializes files according to received file state. This process may upload the files in a batch manner from a record label or may upload individual files from an individual song writer for example. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates another exemplary process  336  implemented by the digital rights system  266 . In module  338  the process receives a connection request from a P2P client. This may be prompted by the sale of a media file for example. In module  340  the process verifies identity and authorizes connections. In module  342  the process receives a P2P client file list. In module  344  the process returns the file state to a P2P client for all known files, and then requests and uploads unknown file data. In module  346  for each known file, the system extracts metadata and generates data to populate the OCDB data structure. In module  348  the system as possible, identifies unknown files by matching metadata with known files already stored in the OCDB. In module  350  the system adds the remaining unknown files to the lost masters list. In this manner the system automatically updates the database regarding media file information and therefore allows real-time processing and tracking of digital files. This process also creates a “missing masters” list which is a list of digital files that do not contain asserted rights. This missing masters list is subsequently used and provided to rights-holders as potentially owned material as set forth and described in  FIG. 21 . 
       FIG. 18  shows another exemplary process  352  enacted by the present system. In module  354  the process establishes a connection with an authorized rights-holder client. In module  356  the system receives a batch download of files and associated metadata from a rights-holder. In module  358  the system populates the OCDB data structure for each file. In module  360  the system then updates the file states. 
       FIG. 19  shows another exemplary process  362  enacted by the present system. In module  364  the process establishes a connection with an authorized rights-holder client. In module  366  the process receives a request for a self-registration tool. In module  368  the process provides the rights-holder a self-registration interface. In module  370  the process receives the necessary metadata from the rights-holder through an interactive process. In module  372  the process populate the OCDB data structure. In module  374  the process then updates the file status. 
       FIG. 20  shows another exemplary process  376  enacted by the present system. In module  378  the system accesses file information for a specific track. In module  380  the system allows a rights-holder to update track information. In module  382  the system allows the rights-holder to associate the track with a rights-holder defined category. In module  384  the system allows the rights-holder to associate use terms with the track. In module  386  the system allows the rights-holder to associate the track with an album. Associating a specific track with an album is another way to ensure files are correctly tracked and monitored by a rights-holder. The user defined categories also enable a rights-holder to search and track files in a customized manner. 
       FIG. 21  shows another exemplary process  388  enacted by the present system. In module  390  the process filters the missing master list for likely files belonging to rights-holder. The filtering process is accomplished by comparing the metadata for files. For example song titles and artist names similar to those owned by a rights-holder would be likely to be owned by a rights-holder. In module  392  the process orders the files according to a selected criteria (typically popularity). In module  394  the process displays a power match list to the rights-holder. In module the system receives assertions of ownership for the selected files. This feature of the system automatically searches for and provides a list of potentially owned files to rights-holders. This process  388  therefore enables rights-holders to capture lost income. In order to further enhance the power matching process  388  of the present system, a track listening service is provided to play a selected track to a user so they can be assured that they do own the rights to a selected track. 
       FIG. 22  shows another exemplary process  398  enacted by the present system to provide all the necessary interfaces to the system. In module  400  the system establishes a connection with an authorized rights-holder client. In module  402  the system displays an overview interface for rights-holder. In module  404  the system displays a use terms interface. In module  410  the system provides a track categories interface. In module  406  the system provides a my catalog interface. In module  412  the system provides an account manager interface. In module  408  the system provides an all works interface. In module  414  the system provides an organization information interface. In module  416  the system provides a user accounts interface. The rights-holder is able to easily enable each of the interface screens as described above by simply clicking on selected elements within each interface screen. Each of the interfaces mentioned above is subsequently described referencing  FIGS. 23-33  that show screen-shots of these interfaces. 
       FIG. 23  is an example of a screen-shot  418  provided by the interfaces of the system. A screenshot refers to the display presented to a user or rights-holder by the system using a computer monitor or display as shown in  FIG. 9  for example.  FIG. 23  shows a login page  418  for a registered rights-holder of the system. In this example, the rights holder enters their email address  420 , their password  422 , and then clicks on the login button  424 . This provides a secure interface for the rights-holder to access their portfolio of tracks and register their digital media files. Once in the system a user may access any of the other subsequently described interfaces to enter data into the database and enact the system features. 
       FIG. 24  shows a screen-shot of an overview page  426  for a rights-holder. The options available to the rights holder are “Overview”  428 , “Account Manager”  430 , “My Catalog”  432 , “All Works”  434 , and “Use Terms”  436 . In this example, the overview page  426  also offers rights holder a quick access menu of features  438  and system statistics  440 . The system statistics  440 , contains registered works  442 , disputed works  444 , missing masters  446  and licensed works  448 . Each category  442 - 448  within the system statistics contains 2 numbers  450  and  452 , one ( 452 ) that refers to the total number and the other ( 450 ) that refers to the active number within each specific category  442 - 448 . 
     Each of the “Overview”  428 , “Account Manager”  430 , “My Catalog”  432 , “All Works”  434 , and “Use Terms”  436  options may be enabled by clicking on the desired link. The overview page  426  gives the rights-holder real-time information relating to the individually owned media files and the total files contained in the system. The account manager feature  430  enables the financial analysis and information to be presented to the user. The my catalog feature  432  allows access to the owned media files for interaction with the rights-holder. The all works feature  434  allows the rights-holder to access and search all the registered works within the system. The use terms function provides interfaces for entering rules and terms of use for a media file for example. All these functions are described in more detail referencing the figures below. 
     The quick access menu  438  offers the rights-holder choices of features such as Power Match and viewing licensed and unlicensed works. These features provide the user with a means to monitor the state of media files and determine if income is being lost due to lost royalties from the sale of files which a rights-holder may own. The features of the quick access menu are also subsequently described in greater detail. 
       FIG. 25  is an example of a screen-shot  454  provided by the interfaces of the system.  FIG. 25  shows an “Account Manger” page  454  for a rights-holder. In this example, the Account Manager page  454  displays the address data  456  and contact data  458  for the rights holder. The address data includes the company name, address, phone number, fax number and other pertinent data. In this example the company name is Snocap Inc. and the contact person is “Jordan Mandelson”. This page  454  may be used when a rights-holder needs to contact another rights-holder for example. Having a centralized database of rights-holder information leads to quick contact and resolution of media file disputes. 
       FIG. 26  is an example of a screen-shot  460  of the user accounts  462  within the “Account Manger” interface for a rights-holder. In this example, the name  464 , permissions  466 , department  468 , phone  470  and email  472  of each person on the account is displayed. This page therefore shows all the individual users who have accounts with the Snocap Inc. company. The centralized database feature of the present system allows for quick contact of rights-holders within the system. 
       FIG. 27  is an example of a screen-shot  474  of the “Track Categories”  476  within the “Account Manger” interface for a rights-holder. In this example, the Existing Categories  478 , are displayed to the rights holder. This allows the user to quickly search their tracks on a category basis. The “Add a Category” text box  480  also allows the rights-holder to enter new types of categories in which the tracks may be described or categorized. For example, a rights-holder may desire data relating to all the royalties obtained from the sales of media file movie soundtracks within the system. This interface screen  474  would allow the user to create a “soundtrack” category and assign this to each soundtrack file entered into the database. Subsequently the rights-holder may search their personal media files for all tracks or files that have been labeled as “soundtracks”. 
       FIG. 28  is an example of a screen-shot  482  provided by the interface of the system.  FIG. 28  shows a “My Catalog” page  484  for a rights-holder. In this example, the page  484  displays an “All Tracks” feature  486 . This includes the track title  488 , the artist of the media track  490 , the recording  492 , and the composition  494 . Circles  496  are filled-in with marks to display the state of the rights as displayed above. In this example, a fully shaded in circle represents that the rights to the specific track have been registered, a blank circle indicates that the rights are unregistered, a half-shaded circle represents the rights are missing, and a triangle within the circle represents that the rights to the specific track are currently being disputed. This interface page  482  therefore automatically displays to the operator their current catalog of rights and their current status. Each media track is shown as a URL that may be clicked on by the user or rights-holder to obtain further details regarding the specific track as shown in subsequent figures. 
       FIG. 29  is an example of a screen-shot  498  that provides further information regarding the tracks displayed in  FIG. 28  under the My Catalog heading  500 .  FIG. 29 . shows a track information  502  that contains title, “Seven Below”, performed by an artist “Phish”, with a duration of 8:31 with some identification information. Within the Track Categories information  504 , information that a rights-holder enters to aid in managing their portfolio of works. For example the information may include the type of music such as Rock or Rap, what rules if any should be applied to the track, when the track was registered etc. The applicable use terms  506  stores the information that relates to the rules by which the track must be used. For example, do not sell the track in Japan, or do not sell this track on Napster. If there are no rules, then the track should be blocked for transactions on the p2p network. The album information  508  stores the album that contains the media track. Also included in track information  502  are links that allow access to the Recording Rights and the Composition Rights. 
       FIG. 30  is an example of a screen-shot  510  provided by the interface of the system that shows “All Works”  512  contained in the system. In this example, the rights-holder may select between “Power Match Tracks”, “Missing Masters” and “All Tracks”. In this example the user has selected the PowerMatch Tracks  514 . Under the Power Match selection, are Track titles  516 , Artist name  518 , and the Popularity of the track  520 . As described above the Power Match tracks list  514  is comprised of files that are potentially owned by a rights-holder. This list of tracks may be formed from tracks uncovered by a crawler on the peer to peer networks. The tracks are ordered by popularity, as the most popular tracks represent the greatest loss of royalty income to a rights-holder if in fact they do own the track. The system automatically provides this list of files to the rights-holder. By clicking on the track link, more information is provided regarding the track. The track itself may also be searched for and downloaded so that a rights-holder may play the track to ensure that they in fact do own the rights to the track. 
       FIG. 31  is an example of a screen-shot  522  provided by the interface of the system.  FIG. 31  shows a “Use Terms” page  524  for a rights-holder. In this example, the All Rulesets  526  are displayed. Name  528 , start date  530 , end date  532  and type  534 . An example of use terms would be a restriction that the track may not be sold until Jan. 1, 2005. 
       FIG. 32  is an example of a screen-shot  536  provided by the interface of the system.  FIG. 32  shows a “Ruleset details”  540  within the Use Terms option  538 . Ruleset details”  540  include General  542 , Format  544 , Availability  546 . Under availability is countries  548 , retailers  550 , and a time period  552 . User permission  554  and payment  556 . 
       FIG. 33  is an example of a screen-shot  558  provided by the interface of the system.  FIG. 33  shows an “Search” page  560  for a rights-holder. In this example, the search page  558  offers a rights holder the ability to search for an artist name  562  within a specific database  564  for a category  566 . Press the search button  568 . The Results  570  are displayed by track title  572 , Artist  574 , Popularity  576 , Recording  578 , Composition  580 . Again circles  582  are shaded to indicate the rights status of each track. Other embodiments of the invention contemplate searching any field within the database, for example a retailer, a rule, a category etc. 
       FIG. 34  illustrates another exemplary process that may be enacted by the system as described above. In module  586  the system maintains the source identification for the missing masters. In module  588  the system receives a request from a rights-holder to retrieve and play one or more of the missing master tracks. In module  590  the system requests the missing master from its source. In module  592  the system receives and caches the requested missing masters. In module  594  the system displays the track listening service interface. In module  596  the system plays files (tracks) as requested. In module  598  the system receives instructions from a rights-holder as to ownership assertion. In module  600  the system updates the file states and database as necessary. Finally in module  602  the system purges the cache. 
       FIG. 35  illustrates a method  604  of providing a track listening service to a rights-holder using the system. In module  606  the track listening service interface screen is displayed to a user. In module  608  the selection for a track is received. In module  610  it is determined if the track is immediately available. If not (NO) the process proceeds to module  612  where the track is found and then downloaded for playing. If the track is immediately available (YES) the track is played in module  614 . 
       FIG. 36  is a screen-shot  616  of the exemplary track listening service provided in another embodiment of the invention. The track listening service  618 , lists all available tracks  620 , by title  622 , artist  624 . These immediately available tracks could be stored in the music warehouse  320  as shown in  FIG. 15 . The downloading tracks  626  are displayed in a second list, also by track title  628 . and artist  630 . Each track in both lists is displayed as a link, which when clicked on by a rights-holder, instigates the playing and listening service. The downloading tracks  626  are shown as currently being downloaded and stored locally from an external source. Once a downloading track  626  is locally stored, it is moved into the Available Tracks list  620 . 
       FIG. 37  shows another example of data stored  632  in the copyright database  634 . In this example, track information  636 , retailer information  666  and system information  672  are stored. In this example various data structures may be used. The track or record  636 , in one embodiment, is organized into a set of attributes  638 , which may be stored as name-value pairs (or code-value pairs). Note that none of the attributes  638  are necessarily mandatory. Attributes illustrated include title  640  (title of a song for example), author  642  (author/composer of a song for example), performer  644  (performer of a song for example), fingerprint  646  (digital fingerprint of a song in digital format for example), length  648  (playing time of a song for example), authorized copy  650  (copy to be provided when content is requested for example), rights-holder  652  (first rights-holder associated with content for example), and rights-holder  654  (second rights-holder associated with content for example). Rules regarding the use or terms of sale of the track  656 , the category of the track  658 , a dispute flag  660 , royalties collected  662 , and statistics  664  and other pertinent information regarding the sale of the track. 
     Retailer information  666  consists of rules  668  or terms of sale for tracks and statistics regarding the retailers sales of tracks  670 . System in formation  672  is also stored within the database  634 . 
     Note that each of these attributes may also apply to a movie, comedic performance, document (maybe not the performer  644  in that case) or other form of content. Also, note that other attributes may be stored, such as restrictions for DRM purposes or prohibitions on copies for example. Similarly, other formats or relationships for the data in question may be utilized, such as formats dictated by metadata in a database for example. Thus, the data structure or record of  FIG. 37  is illustrative rather than restrictive in nature. 
       FIG. 38  shows another exemplary process  674  enacted by the present system to provide dispute resolution services to rights-holders using the system. In module  676  the system receives multiple ownership assertions for a single track. This may occur from multiple rights-holders self registering the same track, or from crawling the p2p networks and discovering a track being sold that has multiple parties asserting rights. In module  678  the system stores in the database memory that the rights are disputed. In module  680  the system displays to all parties asserting rights, the information that the rights to a specific track are being disputed. In module  682  the system collects royalties from the disputed track and places the royalties in escrow. In module  684  the dispute is resolved and this information is entered into the system. In module  686  the system updates the open copyright database with the correct rights-holder information and notifies all users. In module  688  the system disburses royalties held in escrow and continues to bill and collect royalties as per the resolution of the rights now provided to the system. 
       FIG. 39  shows another exemplary process  690  enacted by the present system to provide information related to retail information of a track. In module  692  the system receives rules regarding the sale of a track from an authorized rights-holder client. In module  694  the system receives rules and information regarding sales of tracks from a retailer. In module  696  the system receives all individual track sales statistics from all retailers connected to the system. In module  698  the system calculates income from the sales of a track. In module  700  the system compares retailer and rights-holder rules for the sale of a track that are not in agreement, that result in unrealized or lost income, and finally the system calculates lost income based on the sales statistics provided by the retailers to the system. In module  702  the system displays to the rights-holder earned income and the calculated lost income for a track and a message relating to the rule discrepancies related to the sale of the track. For example the rule discrepancy may be that if the track is not available in Japan. Based on retailers market share and the popularity of the track, an estimated 137,000.00 dollars may be generated if the track was available and sold in Japan. 
       FIG. 40  is another example of a screen-shot  704  provided by the interfaces of the system. In this example, the page  704  displays an “Disputed Tracks” feature  706 . For each disputed track this interface screen  704  provides track information  708  including the track title and the artist of the media track, the duration of the song and the ID number of the track. Information  710  displays all the rights-holders who have asserted rights to or claimed ownership of the displayed track. In this example Atlantic Records, Sony Music Group, and Warner Brothers have all entered data into the system indicating potential ownership of the track. The media track is shown as a URL that may be clicked on by the user or rights-holder to obtain further details regarding the specific track. 
       FIG. 41  is an example of a screen-shot  712  that provides retail information and a financial analysis regarding a track. Displayed in  FIG. 41  under the Retail Analysis  714  is the track title and the artist of the media track, the duration of the song and the ID number of the track. Information  718  displays the income earned from royalties, in this example $1836.00. A potential income 720 is calculated from the retailer statistics stored in the database such as track popularity and retailer market share etc, and in this example, a potential income is estimated at $137,000.00 if the track were available for sale in Japan. A rule analysis message  722  is displayed to the rights-holder regarding the rules that currently prohibit the generation of additional income. In this example the message is “Availability in Japan”. 
       FIG. 42  shows another exemplary process  724  enacted by the present system to provide a bill for services to the rights-holders using the system. In module  726  the system displays all notices to the users. In module  728  the system displays industry standards to the rights-holders. In module  730  the system displays any law changes that may affect the rights-holders. In module  732  the system displays any changes to the system itself. For example, if the system changes royalty collections and payments from a bi-weekly basis to a monthly basis, this system change would be displayed in module  732 . 
       FIG. 43  is an example of a screen-shot  734  provided by the interfaces of the system.  FIG. 43  shows billing information  736  for a rights-holder. In this example, the page  734  displays bills for services provided  738 . In this example the name of the service provided  740  is the Track Listening Service, and the bill for the service is $3.00, that occurred on Sep. 16, 2004. 
       FIG. 44  is an example of a screen-shot  742  that provides notices information to rights-holders using the system. Displayed under the Notice information  744  is the system notice  746 , “The Supreme Court has ruled on an important case regarding copyright law. Click Here for details”. This notice therefore provides pertinent information to rights-holders regarding their portfolio of media tracks 
       FIG. 45  is an example of a screen-shot  748  that provides a retailer interface for the system. The page  748  is an overview  750  of all the functions provided to the retailers. The functions provided to the retailers include most of the functions that are provided to the rights-holders of the system. In this example, displayed under the notice information  752  is the system notice welcome to the retailer interface. Also shown is message  754 , “The Supreme Court has ruled on an important case regarding copyright law. Click Here for details”. This notice therefore provides pertinent information to retailers regarding the business operations. 
       FIG. 46  is an example of a screen-shot  756  that provides a retailer interface database searching mechanism for the system. The page  756  shows the searching  758  features provided for retailers. A retailer may search the database for any stored attribute (as shown in  FIG. 37 ) for example artist name  760 , such as Missy Elliiot  764 , and track availability or rules  762 . The search is instigated by clicking on search button  766 . The results  768  for searching Missy Elliot&#39;s available tracks in Japan are listed in  770 . The information in  770  includes track title, artist name and the listed rights-holder. This provides a retailer with information regarding their query that may result in more income generated from media track sales. 
       FIG. 47  shows another exemplary process  772  enacted by the present system to provide retailers access to the open copyright database of the system. In module  774  the system provides a searching interface as shown in  FIG. 46  that allows the retailer to search any attribute within the database. In module  776  the system receives a search query. In module  778  the system displays the search results to the retailer, as shown in  FIG. 46  for example. This method allows retailers to search for potential new sources of income using the present system. 
       FIG. 48  shows another exemplary process  780  automatically enacted by the present system to match potential agreements between rights-holders and retailers. In module  782  the system accesses the database for each track&#39;s rights and rules of sale. In module  784  the system compares the rules of the retailer and rights-holder. In module  786  the system automatically displays to the retailers and the rights-holders that a match of rights and rules exists. For example, a rights-holder is notified that Kmart&#39;s rules of sales match their desired terms, while Kmart is notified that a specific rights-holder does exists that would appear to be in agreement with Kmart&#39;s terms of sale for a specific track. This method therefore automatically provides new sources of income for both retailer and rights-holder. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the disclosed methods and apparatuses have been described primarily in terms of use with songs, while content of many different forms may be managed in the same manner. In some instances, reference has been made to characteristics likely to be present in various or some embodiments, but these characteristics are also not necessarily limiting on the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the above discussion refers to peer to peer networks, and those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the present invention is equally applicable to any file sharing network. In the illustrations and description, structures have been provided which may be formed or assembled in other ways within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     In particular, the separate modules of the various block diagrams represent functional modules of methods or apparatuses and are not necessarily indicative of physical or logical separations or of an order of operation inherent in the spirit and scope of the present invention. Similarly, methods have been illustrated and described as linear processes, but such methods may have operations reordered or implemented in parallel within the spirit and scope of the invention. Also additional methods of the present system may be comprised of multiple modules selected and enacted from the plurality of methods described above. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.