Patent ID: 8799977

Claim:
A set-top box connectable to a display device and a broadcast video distribution network comprising a head-end, the set-top box, and a plurality of other set-top boxes that can store video programs, the set-top box comprising: a video distribution network interface to interface the set-top box with the broadcast video distribution network; a display interface to display a menu of available video programs on the display device; a user interface to receive user input; a local memory to store a video sharing program; and a terminal controller responsive to user input and the video sharing program for: a. displaying a menu of available video programs that is generated based upon a system video program index received from the head end that identifies previously broadcast video programs from the head end that were previously selected and completely stored in local memory by other users based upon user input at the plurality of other set-top boxes, respectively, in the broadcast video distribution network, wherein the system video program index is created by the head end polling the set-top boxes of the video distribution network to identify video programs selected and stored at the set-top boxes by users and based upon whether video programs are designated as available or not available for sharing by at least one of a set top box or by the head end; b. selecting an available video program from the menu of available video programs in response to user input; c. requesting the head end to command one of the plurality of other set-top boxes storing the selected complete video program to transmit the selected complete video program to the set-top box; and d. wherein the user associated with the set-top box that receives the selected video program is charged by a billing system to compensate an owner of the head end and a content rights holder of the selected video program and the set-top box that transmitted the selected video program receives a credit from the billing system.