EP1203321A4 - Method and system for electronic media delivery (emd) using e-contracts and business rules - Google Patents
Method and system for electronic media delivery (emd) using e-contracts and business rulesInfo
- Publication number
- EP1203321A4 EP1203321A4 EP00948660A EP00948660A EP1203321A4 EP 1203321 A4 EP1203321 A4 EP 1203321A4 EP 00948660 A EP00948660 A EP 00948660A EP 00948660 A EP00948660 A EP 00948660A EP 1203321 A4 EP1203321 A4 EP 1203321A4
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- electronic
- media content
- distribution
- distributor
- contracts
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
Definitions
- EMD Electronic Media Delivery
- the present invention generally relates to the electronic distribution of media using a computer network and specifically to a method and system for the
- Music is streamed over the Internet and consumers may select the music to be received (e.g., played after download, or streamed) at the
- the present invention is a method and system for electronically distributing media through a computer network to users, in a manner consistent with
- the present system facilitates the related business and/or financial transactions associated with such delivery. To facilitate the transactions, the system
- the electronic contract may be viewed conceptually as an equation governing the relationship between certain parties or entities.
- the specific values for the variables in the equation are determined according to each
- An electronic contract represents an agreement between two or more entities, typically the retailer and distributor of some media. A variety of electronic contracts may be implemented by the system.
- a "distributor-retailer distribution contract" sets forth the terms and conditions under which the retailer may distribute
- a "distributor-retailer financial contract” sets forth the terms and conditions under which the retailer and the distributor are compensated for the distribution of the media.
- Other contracts cover variations of these two distribution and financial contracts. For example, contracts may cover agreements between a
- contracts may, for example, cover a specific selection of media, e.g., media produced during a specified period or by a certain artist.
- General content distribution rules include rules for distributing a
- business rules represent suggested conditions, including, for example, price ranges for certain transactions.
- the system In applying the rules, the system considers any contract or rules pertaining to the distributor, retailer, and content taking part in the proposed transaction. If there is more than one relevant contract or rule, and an inconsistency is posed, it is resolved by applying the more specific terms rather than the broader terms.
- Figure 1 is a block diagram of an arrangement of modules for implementing the preferred embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 2 is a flow chart showing the validation process of the preferred embodiment.
- Figure 3 is a flow chart showing the determination of revenue disbursement according to the preferred embodiment.
- the electronic media distribution method uses electronic contracts (e-Contracts) and business rules to control the distribution.
- the Electronic Media Delivery (EMD) system includes the following modules: Production System, Content Catalog, Reference Service, Delivery Service, Retail Site, Clearing House, Registration Manager and Consumer Player. These modules comprise the high-level functional architecture of the EMD service for the PC platform. Each of these modules
- modules performs a specific set of related functions while communicating with other modules through specified standard interfaces.
- the modules are defined such that multiple implementations of each module can be supported within the standard interfaces.
- the Production System 110 maintains mass data content, e.g., music,
- the Production System also assists retailers in maintaining
- the Retail Web Sites 112 are web sites of music retailers who subscribe to the distribution service and provide an environment for consumers to access and purchase music over the Internet. These web sites provide
- the Reference Service 116 validates and certifies the retailer's offers and provides the mechanism for consumers to purchase the content by binding it with valid commercial offers.
- the Consumer Player 114 enables consumers to interact with the system to
- the Delivery Service 118 downloads the actual content and associated
- the Content Catalog 120 is a database optimized for quickly finding the content based on a constrained set of
- the Registration Manager 122 downloads the Consumer Player for the consumer the first time the consumer uses the system and maintains the system's security on an ongoing basis.
- the Financial Clearinghouse 124 manages the complete purchase by performing payment and rights processing and settlement for certain
- the Production System 110 prepares content for electronic distribution by packaging content and associated rights in a secure environment.
- the resulting content packages are "staged" in the distribution infrastructure for delivery via the
- the Content Catalog has the content descriptions in its directory while the Reference Service has a description of the content, its associated rights, contractual constraints and retail offers in its directories.
- the Delivery Service has the actual content packages in its databases.
- the acquired rights to consume content are managed by the Clearinghouse 124 in conjunction with the Player 114.
- RMS Resource Management Software or RMS
- RMS Resource Management Software
- the user may also find content by searching the Content Catalog using the "query” function on the retailer's web site.
- content may be acquired from another user (superdistribution) or on physical discs (e.g., DVD, ECD).
- the consumer is given the "right” (e.g., key) to consume the content. This right may be maintained at either the Clearinghouse, the Player or both.
- Retailers may even offer (at the "list price") content for which they themselves have no references and no pre- made offers.
- Retailers are able to participate in the EMD system with a minimum amount of effort. This may be subject to operational restrictions; i.e., the
- Settlement of transactions in the EMD system may be Contract or Deferred.
- the Contract transaction is settled at the Retailer at the time of content
- the Contract transaction is similar to the current e-commerce schemes: consumer pays and then receives the product.
- the Contract transaction settlement may be performed by an EMD-compliant Financial Clearinghouse or by any other (non EMD- compliant) Clearinghouse of the Retailer's choosing.
- the Deferred transaction is settled during or after the consumption, by one of the EMD-compliant clearinghouses.
- Distribution and Financial For a large full-featured retailer these generally are a Distributor-Retailer Distribution Contract and a
- affiliate retailers generally may fall under already existing Group Distribution Contract and a Group Financial Contract. Distribution contracts are stored in the Reference Service, while the Financial
- Distribution Contract may be generated for distribution purposes, while a Specific Content Financial Contract (Term Sheet) and/or a Specific Content Group Financial
- Distribution contracts may be produced for financial settlements.
- Distribution contracts are stored in the Reference Service, while Financial contracts are stored in the financial clearinghouse, and Full-featured retailers receive a secure copy of their Retailer Content Distribution Contract which may be included in their Retail Tools.
- a Distributor - Retailer Distribution Contract is a set of business terms expressing a contractual relationship for content distribution between a distributor and a specific authorized EMD retailer. This contract applies to all titles (content) distributed by that retailer. Some examples are as follows: "Retailer A may sell distributor's content in the Territory X.”
- “Retailer A may use its own e-commerce system for selling EMD content.” “Retailer A may offer distributor's content on a 'purchase outright' basis.” “Retailer A may not offer distributor's content on a 'rent to own' basis.”
- a Group Distribution Contract is a set of business terms expressing a contractual relationship for content distribution between a distributor and a group of
- EMD retailers e.g., affiliate Retailers. This contract applies to all titles (content) distributed by that group of retailers. For example, "Affiliate Retailers may offer distributor's content on a 'purchase outright' basis only.”
- a Group Content Distribution Contract is a set of contractual
- a Retailer Content Distribution Contract is a set of contractual
- This content can be offered on a 'purchase outright' or 'pay-per-play' basis.” "Offers on this content can be made for up to 3 months duration.”
- General Distributor Rules are requirements expressing a distributor's terms for distribution of its content which have not been expressed elsewhere.
- Suggested Distributor Rules are not based on contractual requirements but rather represent suggestions designed to prevent human errors which may not violate contracts per se but may not make logical sense. Generally, these rules apply to all retailers offering the distributor's content. Examples include: "Retail price for
- a Distributor - Retailer Financial Contract is a set of business terms expressing a contractual relationship for division of revenues between a distributor
- a Specific Content Financial Contract (Term Sheet) is a set of business terms expressing a contractual relationship for division of revenues between a distributor and a specific authorized EMD retailer for a specific unit of content (title). This contract applies only to this content (title) distributed by the retailer.
- a Group Financial Contract is a set of business terms expressing a
- a Specific Content Group Financial Contract (Term Sheet) is a set of
- Retailer A presents a candidate retail offer for the Title B.
- Reference Service runs a validation process presented below. Referring to Figure 2, for each contract or rule that may be applicable, the Reference Service (RS)
- the RS determines whether there is a Retailer Content Distribution Contract for Retailer A, Title B. If such contract exists, the RS determines whether
- the candidate retail offer is consistent with the contract.
- the RS determines whether there is a Group Content
- RS references the General Content Distribution Rules for Title B and checks for consistency.
- step 26 if there is a
- the RS checks the applicable Group Distribution Contract.
- the RS references the General Distributor Rules and at step 32, the Suggested Distributor Rules to confirm that the candidate offer is consistent with these rules.
- contracts and rules are referenced may be determined by the specificity of the terms within the contracts.
- E-Contracts and business rules, if any, related to financial transactions are applied when an offer is exercised by a consumer. For example, a record of transaction is reported to a financial clearinghouse when a consumer exercises an
- Clearinghouse runs a process presented below. This is a simplified process ignoring volume discounts.
- the financial clearinghouse determines whether there is a Specific Content Financial Contract (Term
- the FCH determines whether there is a Distributor-Retailer Financial Contract for Retailer A and if present, applies this
- step 40 if Retailer A belongs to a Group G, the FCH checks and applies a Group Financial Contract.
- Retailer Content Distribution Contract may also be stored in the Retail Tools of full-featured retailers. Retailer Content Distribution Contract may also be provided to specified full-featured retailers.
- Suggested Distributor Rules may all be stored in the Reference Service.
- Suggested Distributor Rules may all be stored in the Reference Service.
- the Reference Service the General Content Distribution Rules may be stored with the
- Sheet may all be stored in the Financial Clearinghouse or in the Distributor's
- Price Dereferencing (by Category): In the price dereferencing pricing model, prices are never directly referred to; rather they are dereferenced. Each content element, e.g. title, is assigned to a category and pricing is determined
- a front line category is a title, e.g., AA,
- List prices apply to conventional distribution, typically from a retailer to a consumer.
- Super-list prices apply to super distribution transactions where a consumer distributes the content (it received from a retailer) to other consumers who in turn may further
- Moving a title from Super- list back to List means removing it from the lookup table.
- Dynamic and/or volume based pricing may be implemented, in
- the handles or pointers to data or content objects may be super distributed. Each time that they are super distributed, a counter in the handle can be incremented. Whether or not a retailer participates in the value
- each increment of the super distribution tick may be used to adjust the retail tick.
- the retail tick For example, the retail
- tick may be 100% for an original sale, 75% for a first super distribution, 50% for a second super distribution, 25% for a third super distribution, and 0% for all further super distributions.
- Tracking may also be implemented based on date, e.g., from date of purchase or from date of release. In the latter case, the tracking may be as follows:
- Delivery tracking/payment Payments to value chain participants may be impacted by the means of delivery. For example, extra value delivery services,
- prepayment discounts may also be utilized in order to entice consumers to agree to purchase before downloading. Offers reflecting discounts for prepayment may be achieved globally, per retailer/class of retailer, affinity v. full featured, online v. brick and mortar, individual retailer basis, or per title. Resellers, e.g., the owner of
- a kiosk may also be entitled to a share of the retail tick, or an additional retail tick.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14328399P | 1999-07-12 | 1999-07-12 | |
US143283P | 1999-07-12 | ||
PCT/US2000/019187 WO2001004803A1 (en) | 1999-07-12 | 2000-07-12 | Method and system for electronic media delivery (emd) using e-contracts and business rules |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1203321A1 EP1203321A1 (en) | 2002-05-08 |
EP1203321A4 true EP1203321A4 (en) | 2003-05-14 |
Family
ID=22503395
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00948660A Withdrawn EP1203321A4 (en) | 1999-07-12 | 2000-07-12 | Method and system for electronic media delivery (emd) using e-contracts and business rules |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1203321A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2003504763A (en) |
AU (1) | AU6213000A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001004803A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102004003347A1 (en) * | 2004-01-22 | 2005-08-18 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Method for providing a virtual goods to third parties |
WO2005076147A1 (en) | 2004-02-10 | 2005-08-18 | Ian Andrew Maxwell | A content distribution system |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5963916A (en) * | 1990-09-13 | 1999-10-05 | Intouch Group, Inc. | Network apparatus and method for preview of music products and compilation of market data |
US5918213A (en) * | 1995-12-22 | 1999-06-29 | Mci Communications Corporation | System and method for automated remote previewing and purchasing of music, video, software, and other multimedia products |
US5953005A (en) * | 1996-06-28 | 1999-09-14 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | System and method for on-line multimedia access |
US5987525A (en) * | 1997-04-15 | 1999-11-16 | Cddb, Inc. | Network delivery of interactive entertainment synchronized to playback of audio recordings |
US5895454A (en) * | 1997-04-17 | 1999-04-20 | Harrington; Juliette | Integrated interface for vendor/product oriented internet websites |
KR100270340B1 (en) * | 1998-08-17 | 2000-12-01 | 김대기 | A karaoke service system and embody method thereof using the mobile telephone network |
-
2000
- 2000-07-12 JP JP2001510137A patent/JP2003504763A/en active Pending
- 2000-07-12 AU AU62130/00A patent/AU6213000A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-07-12 WO PCT/US2000/019187 patent/WO2001004803A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2000-07-12 EP EP00948660A patent/EP1203321A4/en not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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No Search * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2003504763A (en) | 2003-02-04 |
WO2001004803A1 (en) | 2001-01-18 |
EP1203321A1 (en) | 2002-05-08 |
AU6213000A (en) | 2001-01-30 |
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Effective date: 20070713 |