Patent ID: 7729926

Claim:
A computer-implemented method in which at least one computer system accesses instructions from computer storage and executes the instructions to perform steps of: receiving data from a remote source; storing, free of charge, a copy of the data received from the remote source; upon receiving a request to restore the data in response to a loss of the data at the remote source, calculating the restore cost based at least in part on a duration of time passing since initial storage of the copy of the data received from the remote source, the calculated restore cost being a higher amount for longer respective times of storing the copy of the data; calculating the restore cost based at least in part on a frequency of amending the copy of the data received from the remote source, the frequency indicating a relative importance of the received data; obtaining the restore cost specifying a fee for restoring the data at the remote source; receiving an indication that payment of the restore cost has been made to restore the data; and to satisfy the request to restore the data, forwarding the copy of the data to the remote source to restore the data.