Abstract:
A method and system for the transfer of content. In some embodiments a server maintains digital copies of content and limits access to digital content based on ownership. In some embodiments a server provides for the ownership transfer of digital and physical copies of content stored in the system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/574,614, filed May 25, 2004 and 60/547,983 filed, Feb. 25, 2004, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A system and method for trading digital content and ownership transfer are generally discussed herein with specific discussion relating to trading audio compact discs (CDs), Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs), digital storage systems, original electronic (digital) content and other digital content.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Aspects of the invention provides a system and method for trading digital content, such as audio CDs, or DVDs, and other digital content. However, aspects of the invention are not limited to CDs or DVDs and may be employed to trade other types of digital content including books, magazines, software, firmware, computer games, and the like. Further, one aspect of the invention trades any type of content which can be converted into a digital format, such as analog audio cassettes, sheet music, photographs, and the like.  
         [0004]     In certain embodiments of the invention, a trading system enables subscribed members (members) to trade digitized content (content) with other subscribed members. In some embodiments the system is configured so as to require a one-to-one relationship between a unique physical media copy of any content and a single member who owns the unique physical media copy of the content. The system may be configured so as to require a one-to-one-to-one relationship between a unique physical media copy of any content, the digitized copy of the unique physical media copy, and a single member who owns the unique physical media copy of the content. The system may be configured so as to require one-to-one relationship between a unique electronic (or digital) media copy of any content and a single member who owns the unique original electronic (or digital) media copy of the content. The system may be configured so as to require a one-to-one-to-one relationship between a unique electronic (or digital) media copy of any content, the duplicate digital copy of the unique original electronic (or digital) media copy and a single member who owns the unique original electronic (or digital) media copy of the content. Such a system may be useful to provide compliance with copyright laws, and to assist owners of content to trade or sell and transfer ownership of their property.  
         [0005]     Information pertaining to the ownership of content, such as ownership history, custody of either physical and/or digital media containing the content, and other related details may be stored by the system. Further, historical ownership information may be encrypted and may also follow the media during transfers of ownership or custody.  
         [0006]     A member subscribes to the trading service and provides various account information such as their name, mailing address, email address, billing and credit card information, etc. In some embodiments Members&#39; identities are verified by the system provider using a number of known techniques. Members may also purchase new content from the system provider should desired content not be available from another member.  
         [0007]     Members submit content for trading to the system by filling out a form detailing the content to be traded. The form may be filled out electronically via a website or a preprinted paper form. Information about the content can include such fields as the name of the content, the author of the content, the type of physical media of the content (e.g., CD, DVD, cassette, etc.). Once the information detailing the content is provided, the member delivers the physical or digital copy, or has a third party or other source deliver a physical or digital copy of the content to the trading system provider. The member also indicates how many points, or a minimum of how many points, the member is willing to accept to trade the content to another member.  
         [0008]     In some embodiments of the invention a bar-code, magnetic strip, or other similar device is used to facilitate faster tracking and input of received physical content. Delivery to the system provider is achieved by regular mail, or other shipping method. Delivery of digital content from the user, third party, or other source is also facilitated via a communications network. In some embodiments of the invention the system provider operates remote locations for receiving either physical or digital content, including automated receiving systems that verify the submission is authentic thereby allowing member instant access to the submitted content. Further, the system provider can confirm the delivered copy of the content is the same as was described in the submitted form, that the content is authentic, and that the physical copy of the content is not defective, etc. Moreover, the system, including automated remote receiving systems will accommodate content stored on multiple electronic formats, such as a computer chip, disc drive, memory chip, memory stick, or other electronic digital storage device, as well as on physical media such as DVD or CDs or the like.  
         [0009]     Upon receipt of the content, the system provider may digitize the content for storage in a content library, if the content is not already in a digitized format. In one embodiment of the invention the member digitizes the content for storage. The system provider may also save any artwork from the contents&#39; packaging such as a CD or album cover, or may optionally obtain the artwork from another source. The provider may then update the content database to reflect that the content was received from the member and stored in the content library. If a one-to-one relationship between each physical or copy of the content and a single member is not required, the provider may simply update the content database to reflect that the content was received by the member, but not enter a duplicate copy of the received content into the content library. The provider may also simply update the content database to reflect that the electronic (or digital) content was received by the member and enter the copy of the received content into the content library. Once the content database is updated to reflect that the member has submitted their copy of the content, the member can allow its copy to be traded, or ownership of the content to be transferred to another member in exchange for a number of points or other means of credit or valuable consideration. Upon receipt of the content, the provider may also, pre-print and physically or electronically send the owner a label to affix to the received physical content for future identification by the system. Similarly, pre-printed labels may also be physically or electronically sent to members who obtain content electronically, as described below, for future identification by the system. Moreover, after a member obtains content electronically, as described below, appropriate blank physical media with pre-printed labels may be sent to the member so that the member can store and use the obtained content on the blank physical media. This allows for easy future identification by the system of the stored physical content and the member who submits it.  
         [0010]     In one embodiment Members of the system request to trade points, credit or other valuable consideration for desired content. That is, to purchase content owned by another member, or transfer ownership of stored physical or digital content, or both. Accordingly, members may search the content database for desired content. The search may be keyed to any of the content database fields, such as title of content, author, date, genre, format, points requested, or other fields. Once a member selects content to trade or purchase, the system updates the content database moving ownership to the new member. If the member desires to receive the physical copy of the content the provider may ship the physical copy of the content to the member.  
         [0011]     A member may also reserve content that is not yet available on the system. In one embodiment the reserving member specifies the number of trading points they are willing to exchange for the content and as soon as another member submits the content (and assuming the number of trade points is adequate) the transaction is automatically completed upon submission. Similarly, members can search not only what content is available, but what content is desired, and how many points they are willing to trade for it.  
         [0012]     The trading system may employ a system of trading points. A member may assign a trade point value to their content; the trade point value indicates the number of points they will trade the content for. The greater the demanded points the greater the value ascribed to the content by its owner. Additionally, a member may indicate that they will not trade content for any points. Further, a member may also indicate that they will entertain offers to trade content, but not expressly assign any trade point value.  
         [0013]     In one embodiment of the present invention members may purchase trading points with money, or for other valuable consideration that the system provider may accept. Similarly, the system provider may provide valuable consideration to members in exchange for their content. In an embodiment of the present invention members may sell or trade their trading points with other members or nonmembers.  
         [0014]     In one embodiment of the present invention members may trade portions of content (i.e., songs from a music album) without trading the entire content. The provider may also elect to allow members to trade the remaining portion of the content to another member. A Member who owns a portion of content (i.e., several songs from a music album) may purchase the remaining portions thereby making the content whole again. Portions of the content may be treated as fungible (i.e., the member need not purchase the same versions of the songs to make the content whole again), or non-fungible (i.e., in order to make the make the content whole again all the original potions of the content must be tracked and purchased). Additionally, members may also rent or even lease their content or portions of their content.  
         [0015]     In one embodiment of the invention members may make use of the digitized version of the content while it is stored in the content library. This allows the system to serve not only as a trading space for members, but also as a storage space and playback service for members. In one embodiment of the invention the content database is programmed to limit access to the content to the owning member, or to allow other various levels of access by other members. Limiting access is achieved by setting a database entry corresponding to the content, and as necessary to the content owner.  
         [0016]     In one embodiment of the present invention the system may configured so as to allow and facilitate competitive bidding for content. In one embodiment members may simply propose direct trades of content. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the system described herein is not limited to digitized content, but may be extended to a number of types of properties, including: timeshare or fractional ownership, memorabilia and other forms of collectables, automobiles, etc. Other alternatives and embodiments for practicing the invention are also described herein and further discussed below in the Detailed Description section. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     These and other features and aspects of the invention will become appreciated as the same become better understood with reference to the specification, claims and appended drawings wherein:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  details the overall architecture of one embodiment of the system.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  depicts particular steps during content submission and verification.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  depicts particular steps during the sale of content.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  details the overall architecture of one embodiment of the system.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  depicts particular steps during the purchase of content from an outside system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the content trading system provided in accordance with aspects of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the features and steps for constructing and using aspects of the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and structures may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, as denoted elsewhere herein, like element numbers are intended to indicate like or similar elements or features.  
         [0024]     Turning to  FIG. 1 , a trading system  101  for trading digital content such as audio CDs or DVDs, and other digital content, is connected via a communications link  115  to computer network  113 . By way of example, in one embodiment computer network  113  may be the Internet, a corporate or campus intranet, or the like. Trading system  101  is comprised of several components including a system network  103 , a web server  107 , a digitizing server  105 , a content data base  109 , and a content library  111 . Trading system  101  communicates with a number of members via one or more electronic devices  123 ,  125 ,  127 , each connected to the Internet  113  via communications links  117 ,  119 , and  121 , respectively. In one embodiment electronic devices  123 ,  125 ,  127 , include personal computers, mobile or wireless devices such as iPods or cellular telephones, or cable or satellite television set-top boxes, or the like.  
         [0025]     The web server  107  provides the interface which enables members to interact with the trading system  101 . The web server  107  may be programmed to facilitate the storage and retrieval of data into and out of the content database  109 . The web server  107  may also be programmed to authenticate each member as they access the trading system  101  by way of information stored in the content database  109 .  
         [0026]     Content database  109  is a relational database that stores information about each member and the content that member owns which is stored in the trading system  101 . Further, content database  109  may be programmed with a number of fields or data fields or elements pertaining to each member&#39;s media items (content). The data stored for each content item owned by a member may include data such as the content&#39;s title, the author, the year of origin, genera, origin of original purchase, ownership history, and other descriptive information pertaining to the content. In addition, the number of trading points a member desires in exchange for his ownership rights in the content may also be stored in content database  109 .  
         [0027]     Content library  111  stores content items owned by members. In one embodiment of the invention the digitized content includes MP3 files for CD audio, MPEG files for DVD videos. Other embodiments of the invention include other types of content items, which will be understood by one skilled in the art. Content may be comprised of a single or multiple files, and may be in any one of number of physical or electronic forms. The content library  111  is interconnected to the other elements of trading system  101  via system network  103 . Digitized content stored in the content library  111  may be accessible by members via the Internet  113  for member convenience.  
         [0028]     Computer  123  connects via communications link  117 , the Internet  113 , and the communications link  115  to the web server  107 . The member provides identifying information to web server  107 , which web server  107  verifies in content database  109 . Once the member is authenticated the member may indicate what content the member will submit to the trading system  101  for storage and possible trading. In one embodiment the member supplies this information via an online form which is processed by web server  107 . The information about the content may include, the title of the compact disc, the author, the year of recording, or the like, and are stored in the content database  107 . After the member has submitted the form indicating what content they are going to submit, the member ships the physical media (i.e. the CD) to the system operator. Content not stored on physical media, or electronically controlled media, may be submitted electronically. Upon receipt of the electronically submitted content the original copy may be destroyed or otherwise controlled. In one embodiment of the invention content is submitted directly from a third or fourth party to the system by a member. In one embodiment information pertaining to the submitted content is also submitted to the system.  
         [0029]     Upon receipt of non-digital physical media by the trading system operator the content is digitized using digitizing server  105  and the resulting digitized file is stored in content library  111 . Similarly, digital physical media received by the trading system operator is stored in content library  111 . Additionally, the content database  109  is updated to reflect that the physical CD was received, and in some embodiments where the content was received from. After these steps are complete the member may access the content from the content library  111  and may also play the digitized copy of the content directly on their personal computer  123 . In some embodiments content database  107  is programmed to limit access to the content to the owning member, or in some cases to other members. Limiting access is achieved by use of an additional database field in content database  107  corresponding to content access rights. The stored value indicates the access rights, if any, for stored content.  
         [0030]     If a member elects to sell or trade the content stored in the trading system  101  the member indicates the number of trading points which they will accept in exchange for their content. The minimum trading points desired is stored in the content database  109  and associated with the member, and the content. The number of minimum trading points may be changed by members.  
         [0031]     If a second member using personal computer  125  desires to obtain the first member&#39;s copy of the content for the indicated number of trading points the second member may purchase the content so long as the second member has enough trading points in their account. To complete the sale the buying member instructs web server  107  to deduct the required trading points from the buyer member&#39;s account and credit the points to the seller&#39;s account. Next, the web server updates the database server  109  to reflect that the second member is the owner of the content.  
         [0032]     After the sale is consummated the second member enjoys all rights to both the physical media containing the content, or the original electronic version, as well as to the digitized version of the content stored in the content library  111 . The second member may play or stream the digitized content directly from the content library  111 , trade or otherwise transfer ownership in the content to another member, or as in one embodiment create a physical copy of the content or copy a version of the content onto physical media for use. The system may be programmed to track copying of system content by members and to subsequently restrict future trading until all copies have been erased by the member. Such tracking may be achieved via digital watermarking, or other techniques.  
         [0033]     A member may download from system database  109  artwork associated with its content. The artwork may be sized for printing on labels to be affixed to physical media. For example, if the content is a DVD, the artwork is sized as a label for affixing to a physical DVD or to fit inside a DVD jewel case, or the like. Additionally, labels or other reports may be generated containing content information. Labels and reports may contain third-party advertising and the system may key the third-party advertising to the content (i.e., if the content is an education cooking program the third-party advertising could conceivably be for a cookbook, or similar goods. Labels may also be formatted to serve as a shipping envelope, namely formatted to contain the shipping address of the system provider, return address of the submitting member and an area for affixing postage.  
         [0034]     The process for submitting content to the system by a first member  201  is detailed in  FIG. 2 . In step  201  the first member signs up with the trading system by providing membership information such as the member&#39;s first name, last name, billing address, credit card information, and the like. If the first member chooses to trade or sell his content the member may assign a trading point value in step  203 . The member may subsequently assign or change the trading point value via an online member interface (not depicted). Additionally, the member may chose not to trade their content for any number of trading points, or merely to entertain offers without specifying any particular value. The assigned trading point value represents the value of the content, and also the number of trading points the first member will sell its content for.  
         [0035]     In step  205  the first member completes a content submission form detailing information about the content. The content submission form may be filled out online via a web server, or a paper form filled out with a pencil or pen. The content submission form contains information pertaining to the content such as title, artist, physical media, etc. Once the content submission form is completed the member transmits the form in step  207  to the trading system. The transmission may be by way of facsimile, postal mail, or electronically via communications link  115  and computer network  113 .  
         [0036]     The content submission form is received in step  209  by the system and the information is input into the content database  109 . A unique content ID is generated and communicated to the member in step  211 . The unique content ID is used by the system to identify the content upon receipt. Upon receipt of the content ID the member affixes the content ID to the physical media in step  213  and ships the physical media to the system operator in step  215 . Shipments may contain more than one content item as members may ship in multiple content items at a time.  
         [0037]     The trading system operator receives the content in step  217  and confirms that the content is that which was identified by the member on the content submission form in step  205 . Once confirmed, the content database  109  is updated indicating that the content has been received by the system. The content is also digitized and stored in content library  111 . In one embodiment of the invention a historical watermark is applied to the content. The member may now access their content directly from the content library  111 , as step  219  illustrates. For example, in step  221  the member playbacks their content using a digital player. Digital player  221  may be located within the member&#39;s personal computer as depicted in  FIG. 1 , or within a mobile device as depicted in  FIG. 4  as discussed further below, or within a multimedia set-top box such as a cable or satellite television box, or the like. The member may also print labels for the content. Additionally, the member may also print the content&#39;s unique content ID to facilitate subsequent resubmission of the content to the system provider.  
         [0038]     Turning to  FIG. 3 a  second member may purchase content owned by a first member using the trading system. In step  301  the second member signs up for the service by providing their information.  
         [0039]     The second member may search for content available for trading by searching the content database  109 . In step  303  the second member composes their search query using one or more fields stored in content database  109 , and submits their query in step  305 . In step  307  the results of the query are communicated back to the second member. The query results may contain a list of one or more pieces of content stored on the system and the respective number of trading points the owning member desires in exchange for a trade. Additionally, the query results may contain information about on which format or formats the content is available on.  
         [0040]     In step  311  the second member&#39;s agreement to purchase content from another member is communicated to the system. The system receives the request and confirms in step  313  whether or not the second member has adequate trading points in their account to consummate the sale. Assuming the second member has adequate trading points the content database  109  is updated to reflect the change in ownership, and in step  317  the parties are notified of the sale, trade, or other completed transaction. In the event that the second member does not have enough trading points a notification is sent to the second member in step  315  and the sale is not consummated. The second member may add additional trading points to their account by either paying the system operator money, or by selling some of their content thereby generating additional trading points. The second member may also search for additional content in step  309 .  
         [0041]     In step  319  after the purchase of content is consummated the second member may elect to have the physical media shipped to them. In this case the second member so notifies the trading system in step  321 . The system receives the request to ship the content in step  323  and removes the content from the content library  111 , updates the content database  109 , and ships the physical content to the second member in step  323 . The second member receives their content in step  325  thereby fully completing the transaction.  
         [0042]     In the event the second member chooses not to have the physical content shipped to them in step  319 , the content remains in the trading system and is available for use by the second member in step  327 . The second member may access their content via the content library  111  and may play their content in step  329 . Digital player  329  may be located within the member&#39;s personal computer as depicted in  FIG. 1 , or within a mobile device as depicted in  FIG. 4  as discussed further below.  
         [0043]     Turning to  FIG. 4 a  member may purchase content from outside system  401  and instruct outside system  401  to send the content directly to the member&#39;s account. The third-party system can directly submit the content to the system for inclusion in the members account. Similarly, a member may instruct the system provider to facilitate the purchase of content from third-party systems. The member may value the content either at the time of purchase or at a later time.  
         [0044]     Turning, briefly to  FIG. 5 , when a member purchases content from an outside system  501  the outside system  501  may transmit the information contained on the content submission form directly to the system either electronically or using the paper form. Outside system  501  may also “ship” the content depicted in step  213  electronically to the system, or it may ship the physical copy of the content to the system as discussed above and depicted in  FIG. 2 , or both.  
         [0045]     Returning to  FIG. 4 , members may also sell content to other outside systems  401 . Purchases and sales may be facilitated by the member by communicating instructions regarding the transaction to the system  101  and having the system  101  communicate directly with the outside system  401  via communications path  403 . A private communications session (not shown) may be established between the system  101  and the outside system  401 . Data encryption may be employed between the system  101  and the outside system  401 .  
         [0046]     A member may interact directly with outside system  401  via communication path  403 . The outside system  401  may be operated via a user interface system such as web server  405 , and may store content in database  407 . The member may also interact directly with outside system  401  via mobile device  409 . Mobile device  409  could include any mobile device such as a cellular telephone, or other personal communications device. Via the mobile device  409  the member may interact with either the system  101  or outside system  401  to search for and facilitate the sale or purchase of content. If the content purchased is from outside system  401  the content may be delivered to the system  101  for storage in the member&#39;s account. Similarly, if the content is sold to outside system  401  (or a member of outside system  401 ) the content may be delivered to outside system  401  for storage and removed from the member&#39;s account. Additionally, via the mobile device  409 , or via another communication-capable device, the member may instruct the system to download stored content to mobile device  409 . The member may also instruct the system to stream stored content to mobile device  409  from either the mobile device  409  or via another communication-capable device, such as personal computer  123 .