Patent ID: 8050623

Claim:
A method for the promotion and sale of media files over ad-hoc mobile device networks, the method comprising: accessing, at a first mobile device, a file to promulgate; recognizing a second mobile device; establishing an ad-hoc network connecting the first mobile device with the second mobile device; receiving a user identifier from the second mobile device; conveying a file identification field associated with the file to the second mobile device; receiving a parameter from the second mobile device indicating whether the file is already stored in the second mobile device; conveying at least a first portion of the file and a preview digital rights certificate to the second mobile device when the user identifier indicates membership in a media club and the received parameter indicates that the file corresponding to the file identification field is not stored in the recognized second mobile device; conveying a purchase price associated with the file to the second mobile device; receiving a purchase request for the file from the second mobile device; and establishing a connection with a distributing source, the distributing source conveying to the second mobile device (i) a purchase digital rights certificate associated with the file upon confirmation of the second mobile device purchasing the file, and (ii) a second portion of the file upon confirmation of the second mobile device purchasing the file, wherein the second portion comprises the remainder of the purchased file having media content distinct from media content in the first portion of the file and yet to be conveyed to the second mobile device.