GB2377774A

GB2377774A - Data distrubution system

Info

Publication number: GB2377774A
Application number: GB0117354A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Gildersleeve
Original assignee: TORNADO ENTERTAINMENT Ltd
Current assignee: TORNADO ENTERTAINMENT Ltd
Priority date: 2001-07-17
Filing date: 2001-07-17
Publication date: 2003-01-22
Also published as: GB0117354D0

Abstract

A data distribution system comprises the step of storing a data file on a server, authenticating a user request and downloading a file to the user. The authentication relies upon the user request message incorporating a transaction identifier that allows the user to access the file. The download process communicates with an application on the user computer and receives a confirmation message once the download has successfully been completed. The download application may be downloaded prior to the data file and may be a virtual machine or an applet. The confirmation message is stored at the server as transaction data. In the event of a failed download the application can issue a message to re-validate user access permissions and conduct a further download. In a second embodiment an electronic ticket can be issued to the user to validate a download request. In a third embodiment an electronic ticket can be issued to a user after they have selected an electronic product from a list provided by the vendor. In a fourth embodiment the electronic ticket is issued by a ticket system for use by a user.

Description

Data Distribution System Field of the Invention This invention relates to a data distribution system. The invention furthermore relates to methods for the control and enablement of the download of electronic products, such as audio data files, in particular music tracks and/or albums, software applications, game data files, video data files, still image files, streamed audio and/or video content, etc.

Background of the Invention Known data distribution systems enabling the download of electronic products include the use of media players, such as RealPlayer and Windows Media Players which incorporate a digital rights management (DRM) system which controls usage of a downloaded product. The product usage may be limited for example to, say, one month after the initial download of the product. A disadvantage of such systems is that the system is generally media player-specific, such that users must have a particular media player in order to use the product.

US Patent 6,175, 823, assigned to Amazon. com describes an electronic gift certificate system which distributes electronic gift certificates in the form of e-mail documents that incorporate hyperlinks for automating the gift redemption process. When a gift certificate recipient selects such a hyperlink, the recipient's computer automatically transmits a claim code to the merchant's Web site, and the site responds by automatically crediting the recipient's personal account with the gift certificate amount. However, in this case the products sold on-line are books and the recipient's personal account is used to pay for purchases made after the redemption of the gift certificate.

International Patent Publication WO 00/62265, filed in the name of Liquid Audio, Inc. , describes a secure online music distribution system which includes a music distribution centre which is said to operate with any number of client systems and any number of merchant systems. The client systems include a Web browser and a media player configured to interoperate with the music distribution centre. A problem associated with the arrangement described is that the user must have a specific media player, in addition to a Web browser, in order to obtain products from the music distribution centre.

Conventional browser applications are capable of downloading data files for playback on various different media players to user terminals. However, where a user pays for content it is desirable to be able to confirm, in a consistent manner, that the content has been successfully downloaded.

Download applications are known, which may for example be in the form of browser plugin applications. However, these tend to either operate with specific media players or are designed to increase user convenience in a download process.

It is an object of the present invention to provide new and useful methods for the control and enablement of the download of electronic products.

Summary of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a method for the distribution of data in the form of digital files containing data in different types of media content via a data communications network to user terminals running browser applications, said method comprising: storing a first file containing data in a first type of media content, receiving a first request message from a first user terminal, said message containing a first transaction identifier identifying a specific previous transaction entitling a user to download media content contained in said first file; accessing transaction data, corresponding to said first transaction identifier, to validate a user's entitlement to download said media content contained in said first file; downloading said first file to said first user terminal by means of a download process; during said download process, communicating with an application on said first user terminal, said application being for downloading data files to said user terminal, said download application running on said user terminal in addition to said browser application and being independent of a media player application for playing sad first type of media content; receiving a message confirming correct receipt of said first file from said download application; and

in response to said confirmation message, storing transaction data, corresponding to said first transaction identifier, to indicate that said first file has been downloaded successfully.

Thus, the present invention enables a system whereby a user is provided with an electronic ticket entitling the user to download a given data file, and allowing the system to verifiably confirm correct receipt of the data file, without limiting the system to the use with a specific media player.

In accordance with a further aspect there is provided a method downloading data in the form of a digital file containing data of a first type of media content via a data communications network to a user terminals running a browser application, said method comprising : transmitting a first request message from a first user terminal, said message containing a first transaction identifier identifying a specific previous transaction entitling a user to download media content contained in said first file; downloading said first file to said first user terminal from a download server by means of a download process; during said download process, communicating with said download server by means of an application on said first user terminal, said application being for downloading data files to said user terminal, said download application running on said user terminal in addition to said browser application and being independent of a media player application for playing sad first type of media content; transmitting a message confirming correct receipt of said first file from said download application to said download server.

In accordance with a further aspect there is provided a method for controlling the distribution of data in the form of electronic products to be downloaded to users via a public communications network, said method comprising : receiving an electronic ticket via a public communications network; checking one or more usage criteria associated with said ticket, said one or more usage criteria including a temporal usage criterion ; selectively enabling the download of an electronic product in dependence on the result of said checking step.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for enabling the download of data in the form of electronic products via a public communications network, said method comprising: receiving vendor product data from a remote system, said vendor product data indicating one or more usage criteria which are to be associated with an electronic ticket to be used for enabling a download process, said one or more usage criteria including a temporal usage criterion; transmitting user product data, derived from said vendor product data, to a user via said public data communications network, said user product data including data indicating said one or more usage criteria; receiving a product request from a user; receiving vendor ticket data from a remote system, said vendor ticket data being for use in handling said product request ; and transmitting user ticket data, derived from said vendor ticket data, to said user, such that said user may present an electronic ticket, derived from said user ticket data, to validate a product download request.

In accordance with a further aspect there is provided a method for downloading data in the form of electronic products via a public communications network, said method comprising: receiving product data indicating one or more usage criteria which are to be associated with an electronic ticket to be used for enabling a download process, said one or more usage criteria including a temporal usage criterion ; transmitting a product request to a ticket issuing system; receiving ticket data in response to said product request; presenting an electronic ticket, derived from said ticket data, to validate a product download request; and receiving a product download in dependence on compliance of the request with said one or more usage criteria, including a relation of a time/date when the request is made with said temporal usage criterion.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for controlling the distribution of data in the form of electronic products to be downloaded to users via a public communications network, said method comprising: receiving an electronic ticket via a public communications network; checking one or more usage criteria associated with said ticket;

selectively enabling the download of an electronic product in dependence on the result of said checking step, wherein said usage criteria are arranged to enable a plurality of electronic products to be downloaded on the basis of an authority provided by said electronic ticket, each said download being separately requested and enabled following a separate usage criteria check.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for enabling the download of data in the form of electronic products via a public communications network, said method comprising: receiving vendor product data from a remote system, said vendor product data indicating one or more usage criteria which are to be associated with an electronic ticket to be used; transmitting user product data, derived from said vendor product data, to a user via said public data communications network, said user product data including data indicating said one or more usage criteria; receiving a product request from a user; receiving vendor ticket data from a remote system, said vendor ticket data being for use in handling said product request; and transmitting user ticket data, derived from said vendor ticket data, to said user, such that said user may present an electronic ticket, derived from said user ticket data, to validate a product download request.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for downloading data in the form of electronic products via a public communications network, said method comprising: receiving product data indicating one or more usage criteria which are to be associated with an electronic ticket to be used for enabling a download process; transmitting a product request to a ticket issuing system; receiving ticket data in response to said product request; presenting an electronic ticket, derived from said ticket data, to validate a product download request; and receiving a plurality of separate product downloads, each being received following the presentation of an electronic ticket, in dependence on compliance of the request with said one or more usage criteria.

Further features and advantages of the various different aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrams, wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a data distribution system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a vendor system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a download system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating steps carried out at a user terminal or kiosk and vendor system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of a download ticket in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 is an illustration of a display on a user terminal of a download ticket in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating steps carried out in a download system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description Referring now to Fig. 1, the data distribution in one embodiment of the invention includes a download system 2 holding product data files on databases 4, connected to a public data communications network such as the Internet 6 via high bandwidth links.

In the following electronic product files to be downloaded are exemplified as audio data files, in particular music tracks and/or albums.

However, in alternative embodiments other types of product files are downloaded, such alternatives including software applications, game data files, video data files, still image files, and any other digital files in various different media player formats. In further alternative embodiments, the data is in the form of an audio or video stream to be downloaded and replayed during the streaming process.

The download system is accessible to users at a variety of different data processing terminals, of which three user terminals 8, 10, 12 are exemplified.

Each user terminal includes a Web browser or the like for accessing content obtained via the Internet or other data communications networks. The terminals may comprise any or all of a personal computer terminal with storage capabilities in the form of a hard disk or the like, a mobile computing device such as a smartphone or a personal digital assistant comprising data storage in the form of flash memory or the like, a digital television receiver, an internet access device such as an internet tablet device, an in-car entertainment system, or any other suitable user terminal. All of the user devices may be connected to the Internet 6 via fixed line, optical, cellular radio and/or other types of data communications links. A first exemplary terminal 8 includes an in-built storage device for storing audio data files, such as an internal hard drive. A second exemplary terminal 10 includes a recording device for removable storage media, such as removable flash memory devices and optical recording device, examples of which include CDR, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, etc. reader/writers. A third exemplary terminal 12 includes insufficient memory for storing the desired audio data files; this user terminal is used in the purchase of an electronic ticket, to be described in further detail below, which is then sent, for example bye-mail, to another user terminal 8, 10, for download.

Suppliers 14,16 provide electronic products to download system 2 for inclusion in the products offered for download by the system. The products are copied so that an electronic master file may be uploaded into a secure server in the download system, at which point the uploaded products are checked for any undesirable characteristics, such as computer viruses, before being made available for download.

Vendor systems 18, 20 are used by users engaged in on-line data communications sessions to purchase download tickets, as will be described in further detail below. The vendor systems include product catalogues which identify products and meta-information relating to those products which are available for download using download system 2. Each different vendor system 18, 20, of which only two are illustrated for exemplary purposes, includes a different product catalogue and has a different set of users, which may be subscribers to a service provided by the vendor. A vendor system may

for example take the form of a portal site, such as Yahoo! Tm and the like, or an on-line retailer such as Amazon. com and the like. Each vendor system is embodied in the form of a plurality of servers or other data processing devices programmed to provide the vendor's services to on-line users.

Users may also browse product catalogues via one or more different types of retailer terminals, referred to herein as kiosks, of which only two 22,24 are illustrated for exemplary purposes. Kiosks are installed in public locations, for example inside retailer premises. A kiosk may take the form of a conventional computer workstation including a Web browser, operating in a similar fashion to a user terminal, or may be a data processing terminal specifically adapted to the task of presenting product catalogues and enabling the download of electronic products, on receipt of appropriate payment, in accordance with the invention. One embodiment of kiosk 22 includes a recording device for removable storage media, such as removable flash memory devices and optical recording device, examples of which include CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, etc. reader/writers, whereby users may download products to a personal storage medium. A further embodiment of kiosk 24 is used in the purchase of an electronic ticket which is then sent, for example by e-mail, to a terminal specified by the user, such as terminals 8 and 10, for download.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates elements of a vendor system 18, 20, which comprises one or more servers or other data processing devices running a number of software modules in the form of a product catalogue 30, a Web server 32, a payment processing application 34 and a ticket processing application 36.

The product catalogue is in the form of a database of resources, including text, graphical images, video and animation resources and audio resources, which relate to a selection of products, downloadable from download system 2, available for purchase at the vendor site 18, 20. The product catalogue may also incorporate elements, by hyperlinks, stored on download system, which are generic to different vendor systems, such as audio track clips and video clips for particular products. Users at user terminals 8,10, 12 and kiosks 22, 24 interact with the product catalogues via the remote Web server 32 and Web browser applications on the local terminal.

The different vendor systems 18, 20 have customised and individual product catalogues which may refer to common and/or different electronics products available for download from download system 2. For example, one vendor system 18 may specialise exclusively in the products of a particular artist, whilst another vendor system 20 may offer only a range of musical products associated with a particular music label. The products available for purchase on a particular vendor system 18, 20 thus preferably consists of a subset of the products available from download system 2.

Payment processing application 34 is used to process payment for orders made by users checking out with one or more electronic products in an electronic shopping cart, or using other on-line ordering systems such as the Amazon. com l-click ordering system and the like, following interaction with the product catalogue. The payment processing application performs credit checking and accounting procedures with a financial institution data processing system, which although not illustrated in Fig. 1, may also conduct interactions via the Internet or another public data communications network.

Ticket processing application 36 is used to obtain electronic ticket data from download system 2 for passing on to users following the purchase of one or more products, in the form of a ticket containing ticket data validating a user's entitlement to download the product or products in question, as will be described in greater detail below.

Fig. 3 illustrates elements of download system 2, which comprises one or more servers or other data processing devices running a number of software modules in the form of a product data store 40, a ticketing application 42, a ticket data store 44, an applet store 46, a download server 48, a management information system (MIS) 50 and a product file store 52.

Product data store 40 comprises resources which may be incorporated in vendor system product catalogues, such an audio track clips and video clips for particular products available for download.

Ticketing application 42 interacts with the different ticket processing applications 34 in vendor systems, creating electronic ticket data and transmitting to vendor systems on request. On creation of a ticket, ticket data in the form of data used for authenticating an electronic ticket on subsequent delivery, along with associated usage criteria data, is stored in ticket data store 44.

Applet store 46 holds data for creating applet software objects which are to be transmitted to user terminals on receipt of a valid download request, as will be described in greater detail below.

Download servers 48 comprise Web servers arranged for performing high volumes of concurrent downloads, including load balancing processors for distributing download tasks amongst the servers. Web servers download electronic products held in databases shown in Fig. 3 as a product file store 52. These databases are preferably replicated to provide standby databases in case of a need for one of the versions of the databases to be taken off line.

Management information system 50 stores accounting data relating to product downloads, in a form accessible to suppliers 14, 16, so as to allow suppliers to monitor the current status of download system in relation to the products which they have uploaded on the download system 2 for distribution by it. The information available includes the number of tickets issued for individual products or groups or categories of products, the number products downloaded using those tickets as authority, and downloads currently under way for such products.

Various types of tickets are provided in different embodiments of the invention. In each case the type of usage criteria associated with a ticket in ticket data store is different. Examples of different ticket types in different embodiments of the invention include: 1. Periodic subscription ticket: the usage criteria associated with the ticket entitle the purchaser to conduct downloads only within a period having a defined start date/time and a defined end date/time, which may be related to the date of purchase or first use of the ticket or may define subscription periods which are controlled separately; in any case the user is made aware of the temporal usage criteria before purchase of the ticket.

2. Future release ticket: the usage criteria associated with the ticket entitle the purchaser to conduct a product download only after a predefined start date/time, which may be related to the date of purchase or may be defined separately; in any case the user is made aware of such a temporal usage criterion before purchase of the ticket.

3. Limited currency ticket: the usage criteria associated with the ticket entitle the purchaser to conduct a product download only before a predefined expiry date/time, which may be related to the date of purchase or may be

defined separately ; in any case the user is made aware of such a temporal usage criterion before purchase of the ticket.

4. Single product ticket; the usage criteria associated with the ticket entitle the purchaser to conduct the download of a single product, or one or more products from a single product type or category.

5. Multiple product ticket; the usage criteria associated with the ticket entitle the purchaser to conduct the download of a plurality of products or one or more products from a plurality of product types or categories.

6. Limited usage instance ticket: the usage criteria associated with the ticket entitle the purchaser to conduct a number of downloads, the maximum number of allowed downloads being limited in number.

7. Limited usage volume ticket: the usage criteria associated with the ticket entitle the purchaser to conduct a number of downloads, the maximum number of allowed downloads being limited by a maximum allowed amount of data to be downloaded.

8. Geographically limited ticket; the usage criteria associated with the ticket entitle the purchaser to conduct a download only from a location falling within one or more defined geographical regions, for example on a country basis or region basis. The location of the user may be determined by personal details held for the user, by sensing the location of the user terminal, as is known for mobile telephone terminals, using an IP address listing to resolve the location of the user, or any other suitable method to determine the user's location, such as by using call signalling data.

9. Event ticket; the usage criteria associated with the ticket entitle the purchaser to conduct download of data for an event occurring over a period defined by a specific start date/time and a specific end date/time. The user may thus for example be allowed access to live streaming video for a pay-per view event or suchlike. The user may be send, following a single purchase for the event or other content, a plurality of separate tickets for selective download of different parts of the event or other content by the user by activating the appropriate ticket as required.

10. Tickets which comprise combinations of the above characteristics, in any permutation. For example a ticket allowing an event download, plus a product download of the users choice within a category of products associated with the event. As a further example, a future release ticket may also include

geographical limitations in the form of geographically varying release dates, such that a product may be released for download in different territories at different times.

Figure 4 illustrates a user/vendor interaction procedure carried out in order for a user to obtain a ticket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The user, via Web browser interactions, browses the vendor system product catalogue 30, step 100. On finding a product, group of products or category of products to be ordered, the user is presented with information from vendor system 18, 20, indicating any conditions of use, to be further detailed and referred to as usage criteria below, of the ticket to be purchased along with the identity of the product, group of products or category of products. The user selects the product by online ordering interactions, and transmits payment details, for example credit card information, to the vendor system, whereby the vendor payment processing application 34 obtains payment confirmation from a third party financial institution, step 106.

On receipt of confirmation of the payment, vendor ticket processing application 36 passes a ticket request message, in the form of a hypertext transfer protocol (http) message to ticketing application 42 of the download system 2, step 106. The ticket order includes data identifying the product, group of products or category of products to be made available for download along with any usage criteria to be associated with the ticket which the user has purchased. In return, ticket-processing application 36 receives ticket data, step 108, including electronic ticket data, for use in the production of the ticket to be sent to the user. The electronic ticket data comprises a transaction identifier, unique to download system, referred to herein as the ticket ID, along with a validator, referred to herein as the signature, in the form of a substantially random number or an encrypted or digitally signed version of the ticket ID. The two values are cryptographically very difficult to generate as a pair of values without knowledge of the corresponding validation data stored in ticket data store 44.

The ticket data may for example be sent in the form of an extensible Markup Language (XML) file. The messages sent between the vendor system 18,20 and the download system 2 are preferably sent using a secure encryption protocol, such as HTTPS, in order to prevent snooping of the

electronic ticket data by third parties during traversal of the data via the Internet.

On receipt of the ticket data from the download system 2, the vendor system generates a Web page, step 110, in the form of a ticket containing the electronic ticket obtained from download system 2, and transmits the ticket page to the user terminal, step 112, for display thereon.

Figure 5 schematically illustrates the components of a ticket page 120 to be displayed on a user terminal, arranged in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, in greater detail. The ticket page 120 includes vendor system media content 122, which comprises one or more resources stored on vendor system 18, 20, download system media content, which comprises one or more resources stored on download system 2, and a ticket hyperlink 126, directed at a download system address. The ticket hyperlink includes, or is accompanied by, the electronic ticket data, such that when a user clicks on the hyperlink, the electronic ticket data is transmitted in the request message. The hyperlink is preferably a secure protocol hyperlink, such as an HTTPS hyperlink, to maintain the secrecy of the electronic ticket data on transmission from the user terminal. The electronic ticket data may for example be contained as a set of query parameters appended to the uniform resource locator (URL) of the hyperlink, or included in form data to be sent to the download system in a POST request message.

Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of electronic ticket page 130, as displayed on a user terminal. Vendor system media content 122 includes a vendor graphics object 132 displaying a brand of the vendor system. Text data includes meta data 134 received from the download system identifying characteristics of the product for which a ticket has been purchased, such as the artist name and song title. Download system media content 124 includes a graphics object 136 displaying an image associated with the musical artist and/or song, and may include other components such as a hyperlink 138 to an audio resource such as a clip for preview of the purchased product before download thereof. The ticket page 130 also includes text indicating usage criteria 140 associated with the ticket purchased. Finally, the page 130 includes a ticket hyperlink 142 for initiating the download of a product from download system 2.

On receipt of a ticket, a user may initiate the product download by immediately proceeding to click on ticket hyperlink 142, or may store ticket page on the user terminal for later use, by selecting a save option applied to the ticket page. Following storage on the user terminal, the user may themselves utilise the ticket or may release the ticket to another party, for example by an e-mail transmission containing a copy of the stored page as an attachment.

Figure 7 is a flow diagram illustrating procedures carried out in download system on receipt of a download request, step 200, generated by means of a ticket such as that illustrated in Figure 6. The allocated download server first checks whether the ticket is valid, step 202. This validity check includes a check against data stored in ticket data store 44 for the ticket ID contained in the download request. The check includes verification of the accompanying signature and confirmation that the usage criteria associated with the ticket have are fulfilled. If the ticket ID is not recognised, the signature is not validated, or the usage criteria are not met at the time of the download request, a refusal page is sent to the user terminal containing text indicating the reason for the refusal, step 204.

If the ticket validity check is successful, the download server transmits a download applet to the user terminal, step 206. The download applet controls the download process on the user terminal, and is initialised with or obtains information regarding the product to be downloaded, including such data as a file size, file name, a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code, and a media type.

A new download applet, containing the same code in each case, is sent for each download, so that the user terminal, and the user, does not need to deal with a component stored persistently between communications sessions on the user terminal. The applet communicates with a corresponding servlet on the download server. The applet performs a check that the user terminal contains sufficient storage space for the product to be downloaded, for example in the form of free hard disk space, and a check that the user terminal is equipped with a player or other software application suitable for the product to be downloaded. If the checks identify potential problems, the applet indicates an error message and displays help information regarding a way to address the problem identified. If no problems are found, the applet initiates the download process, whereupon download server begins sending the appropriate product

file or files, step 208. As the download process progresses the applet displays information relating to the status of the download, include information indicating the progress of the download in proportion to the total amount of data to be downloaded, and monitors for the completion of the download. On completion of the download the applet performs a predetermined CRC algorithm, corresponding to that used in computing the CRC code provided by the servlet. If the computed code and the received code correspond, in which case it sends a message to the download server indicating a successful download completion, step 210. Other methods may alternatively be used to confirm successful completion of the file download. In the case of using CRC code checking, if the computed code and the received code do not correspond, the applet sends an error message to the servlet, displays an error message to the user and deletes the bad download from the user terminal. If the download is for any reason interrupted at the server side, such as due to a network error, server overload or user terminal action, the servlet sends an error message, step 214, and the applet displays a download error message and saves the incomplete file, ready to recommence at the point of failure as a"smartrestart"function to ensure correctly downloaded data is not lost. The ticket may then be re-used to attempt one or more further downloads, in the manner described above, without the need for re-issuance. When the download completes, and the download server receives confirmation thereof, the download server updates ticket data stored in ticket data store, step 216, to indicate a ticket usage, which if the ticket is a single-use ticket invalidates the ticket for future use. If a limited amount usage ticket, the successful download decrements the amount of usage allowed for future usage. The download server also updates MIS 50, step 218, to maintain the appropriate records for accounting data to be sent to the product supplier and/or vendor.

Note that the system described is independent of and not limited for use with any particular media player or any particular digital rights management (DRM) system used by the various different media players which may playback content distributed via the distribution system of the present invention. Copyright protection may be added by use of a DRM system at a different layer of the system; for example, DRM may be included in the products supplied by a supplier prior to their upload to the download system.

The DRM scheme may include the use of encryption and licence-based

release of the content to the user, whereby a media player on the user terminal obtains a licence from a licence server when the file is first to be played on the user terminal. The licence may include various different usage criteria, such as a period of allowed usage, a number of usages allowed, etc. By use of the present invention, these usage criteria may be applied independently of the usage criteria applied in the download process, and by a different party, such as the content supplier, or by the same party controlling the download server.

In one embodiment, the licence server also updates MIS 50 to maintain the records not only confirming correct download of a data file, but also the issuance of a licence for playback of the data file, which is useful for additional auditing and management purposes.

The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention. Further embodiments of the invention are envisaged. For example, whilst in the above embodiments a download process is controlled by a download applet, a different type of download application, independent from a media player application may also be used. For example, a persistent download application, designed for interoperation with a component on the download server and in particular to confirm correct receipt of a download file at the user terminal, may be stored on the user terminal for use during a plurality of downloads from the download server. Whilst in the above described embodiments the downloaded data is in the form of a complete data file, the data may be sent in the form of streamed data, and in this alternative, actuation of the ticket by the user results in the system transmitting a data stream for playback on a streaming media player, such as Realplayer on the client system. The tickets used in this embodiment may be temporally and otherwise enabled and limited, in accordance with the various embodiments of tickets described above. Furthermore, whilst in the above embodiments the tickets issued may be used by any user possessing the ticket or a copy thereof, a ticket may be restricted to be used by one or more particular users, for example by means of a password specified by the purchaser and/or encryption of the product data using a shared secret key or a public key which ties the product to be used by one particular user or user terminal. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to one embodiment may also be used in other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and

modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A method for the distribution of data in the form of digital files containing data in different types of media content via a data communications network to user terminals running browser applications, said method comprising: a. storing a first file containing data in a first type of media content b. receiving a first request message from a first user terminal, said message containing a first transaction identifier identifying a specific previous transaction entitling a user to download media content contained in said first file; c. accessing transaction data, corresponding to said first transaction identifier, to validate a user's entitlement to download said media content contained in said first file; d. downloading said first file to said first user terminal by means of a download process; e. during said download process, communicating with an application on said first user terminal, said application being for downloading data files to said user terminal, said download application running on said user terminal in addition to said browser application and being independent of a media player application for playing sad first type of media content; f. receiving a message confirming correct receipt of said first file from said download application ; and g. in response to said confirmation message, storing transaction data, corresponding to said first transaction identifier, to indicate that said first file has been downloaded successfully.

2. A method according to claim 1, comprising downloading said download application to said first user terminal prior to said download process.

3. A method according to claim I or 2, wherein said download application comprises an application for running on a virtual machine application on said user terminal;

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said download application is an applet.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising transmitting a download application to said first user terminal for each of a plurality of different download processes.

6. A method according to any previous claim, comprising receiving a message from said download application indicating that a download has been terminated before completion, receiving a further request message from said user terminal, said message containing said first transaction identifier, accessing transaction data, corresponding to said first transaction identifier, to revalidate the user's entitlement to download said media content contained in said first file and conducting a further download process for downloading said first file to said first user terminal.

7. A method according to any previous claim, comprising receiving a message from said download application indicating that a download has been terminated before completion, receiving a further request message from said user terminal, said message containing said first transaction identifier, accessing transaction data, corresponding to said first transaction identifier, to revalidate the user's entitlement to download said media content contained in said first file and conducting a further download process for downloading said first file to said first user terminal.

8. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising: a. storing a second file containing data in a second type of media content, different to said first type of media content and being

incapable of being played on said a media player for said first media content; b. receiving a second request message from a second user terminal, said message containing a second transaction identifier identifying a specific previous transaction entitling a user to download media content contained in said second file; c. accessing transaction data, corresponding to said second transaction identifier, to confirm a user's entitlement to download said media content contained in said second file; d. downloading said second file to said second user terminal by means of a download process; e. during said download process, communicating with a download application on said second user terminal, said download application being substantially the same as the download application on said first user terminal ; f. receiving a message confirming correct receipt of said second file from said download application; and g. in response to said confirmation message, storing transaction data, corresponding to said second transaction identifier, to indicate that said second file has been downloaded successfully.

9. A method downloading data in the form of a digital file containing data of a first type of media content via a data communications network to a user terminals running a browser application, said method comprising : a. transmitting a first request message from a first user terminal, said message containing a first transaction identifier identifying a specific previous transaction entitling a user to download media content contained in said first file; b. downloading said first file to said first user terminal from a download server by means of a download process; c. during said download process, communicating with said download server by means of an application on said first user terminal, said application being for downloading data files to said user terminal, said download application running on said user

terminal in addition to said browser application and being independent of a media player application for playing sad first type of media content; d. transmitting a message confirming correct receipt of said first file from said download application to said download server.

10. A method for controlling the distribution of data in the form of electronic products to be downloaded to users via a public communications network, said method comprising: a. receiving an electronic ticket via a public communications network; b. checking one or more usage criteria associated with said ticket, said one or more usage criteria including a temporal usage criterion; c. selectively enabling the download of an electronic product in dependence on the result of said checking step.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said method comprises: a. generating first ticket data on the basis of which said electronic ticket is to be made available to a user ; b. generating second ticket data on the basis of which said electronic ticket is to be verified ; c. transmitting said first ticket data; d. storing said second ticket data; e. storing usage criteria data identifying said one or more usage criteria along with said second data; and f. checking said second ticket data and said usage criteria data on receipt of said electronic ticket.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said first ticket data is transmitted to a vendor system to enable the provision of said electronic ticket by the vendor system to a user.

13. A method according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein said electronic ticket is received from a user terminal.

14. A method according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein said electronic ticket is received from a vendor terminal.

15. A method according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein said enabling step comprises transmitting a data file containing said electronic product via said public data communications network.

16. A method according to any of claims 10 to 15, wherein said enabling step comprises transmitting a software application component for controlling a download process.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein said component is arranged to generate a confirmation signal on successful completion of a download process.

18. A method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said component is arranged to check one or more characteristic of a download terminal in relation the characteristics of a product before a download process is begun.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said one or more characteristics comprise an amount of storage space available at said download terminal.

20. A method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein said one or more characteristics include a type of application available said download terminal.

21. A method according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein said component is in the form of an applet.

22. A method according to any of claims 10 to 21, wherein said criteria include a date/time before which a download request is to be refused.

23. A method according to any of claims 10 to 22, wherein said criteria include a date/time after which a download request is to be refused.

24. A method according to any of claims 10 to 23, wherein said criteria include a geographical criterion.

25. A method according to any of claims 10 to 24, wherein said temporal criterion varies in accordance with a geographical identifier associated with a user.

26. A method according to any of claims 10 to 25, wherein said criteria include an amount of usage associated with said ticket.

27. A method for enabling the download of data in the form of electronic products via a public communications network, said method comprising: a. receiving vendor product data from a remote system, said vendor product data indicating one or more usage criteria which are to be associated with an electronic ticket to be used for enabling a download process, said one or more usage criteria including a temporal usage criterion; b. transmitting user product data, derived from said vendor product data, to a user via said public data communications network, said user product data including data indicating said one or more usage criteria; c. receiving a product request from a user; d. receiving vendor ticket data from a remote system, said vendor ticket data being for use in handling said product request; and e. transmitting user ticket data, derived from said vendor ticket data, to said user, such that said user may present an electronic ticket, derived from said user ticket data, to validate a product download request.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein said criteria include a date/time before which a download request is to be refused.

29. A method according to claim 27 or 28, wherein said criteria include a date/time after which a download request is to be refused.

30. A method according to claim 27,28 or 29, wherein said criteria include a geographical criterion.

31. A method according to any of claims 27 to 30, wherein said temporal criterion varies in accordance with a geographical identifier associated with a user.

32. A method according to any of claims 27 to 31, wherein said criteria include an amount of usage associated with said ticket.

33. A method according to any of claims 27 to 32, comprising conducting an electronic payment transaction prior to transmitting said user ticket data.

34. A method according to any of claims 27 to 33, comprising generating said user ticket data by placing ticket data derived from said vendor ticket data in a hypertext message comprising a multimedia resource, or an identifier therefor, stored on a local system device.

35. A method according to any of claims 27 to 34, comprising generating said user ticket data by placing ticket data derived from said vendor ticket data in a hypertext message comprising a multimedia resource, or an identifier therefor, identified in said vendor ticket data.

36. A method for downloading data in the form of electronic products via a public communications network, said method comprising: a. receiving product data indicating one or more usage criteria which are to be associated with an electronic ticket to be used for

enabling a download process, said one or more usage criteria including a temporal usage criterion; b. transmitting a product request to a ticket issuing system; c. receiving ticket data in response to said product request; d. presenting an electronic ticket, derived from said ticket data, to validate a product download request; and e. receiving a product download in dependence on compliance of the request with said one or more usage criteria, including a relation of a time/date when the request is made with said temporal usage criterion.

37. A method according to claim 36, wherein said criteria include a date/time before which a download request is to be refused.

38. A method according to claim 36 or 37, wherein said criteria include a date/time after which a download request is to be refused.

39. A method according to claim 36,37 or 38, wherein said criteria include a geographical criterion.

40. A method according to any of claims 36 to 39, wherein said temporal criterion varies in accordance with a geographical identifier associated with a user.

41. A method according to any of claims 36 to 40, wherein said criteria include an amount of usage associated with said ticket.

42. A method for controlling the distribution of data in the form of electronic products to be downloaded to users via a public communications network, said method comprising: a. receiving an electronic ticket via a public communications network; b. checking one or more usage criteria associated with said ticket;

c. selectively enabling the download of an electronic product in dependence on the result of said checking step, wherein said usage criteria are arranged to enable a plurality of electronic products to be downloaded on the basis of an authority provided by said electronic ticket, each said download being separately requested and enabled following a separate usage criteria check.

43. A method according to claim 42, wherein a plurality of instances of said electronic ticket is received, each said instance resulting in the enablement of a separate product download.

44. A method according to claim 42, wherein a new electronic ticket is issued following use of the first said electronic ticket, whereby said plurality of electronic products are downloaded.

45. A method according to any of claims 42 to 44, wherein said usage criteria include a usage amount criterion relating to a maximum number of allowed usages, which comprise a plurality of usages.

46. A method according to any of claims 42 to 45, wherein said usage criteria include a usage period criterion relating to a period during which downloads are allowed based on the authority provided by said electronic ticket.

47. A method for enabling the download of data in the form of electronic products via a public communications network, said method comprising : a. receiving vendor product data from a remote system, said vendor product data indicating one or more usage criteria which are to be associated with an electronic ticket to be used; b. transmitting user product data, derived from said vendor product data, to a user via said public data communications network, said user product data including data indicating said one or more usage criteria; c. receiving a product request from a user;

d. receiving vendor ticket data from a remote system, said vendor ticket data being for use in handling said product request; and e. transmitting user ticket data, derived from said vendor ticket data, to said user, such that said user may present an electronic ticket, derived from said user ticket data, to validate a product download request.

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein said usage criteria include a usage amount criterion relating to a number of usages of said electronic ticket.

49. A method for downloading data in the form of electronic products via a public communications network, said method comprising: a. receiving product data indicating one or more usage criteria which are to be associated with an electronic ticket to be used for enabling a download process; b. transmitting a product request to a ticket issuing system; c. receiving ticket data in response to said product request; d. presenting an electronic ticket, derived from said ticket data, to validate a product download request; and e. receiving a plurality of separate product downloads, each being received following the presentation of an electronic ticket, in dependence on compliance of the request with said one or more usage criteria.

50. A method according to claim 49, wherein a plurality of separate product download is received following the presentation of the same electronic ticket.

51. A method according to claim 49, wherein the method includes receiving new ticket data in response to presenting a first said electronic ticket for which a first product download is enabled, and presenting a second said electronic ticket, derived from said new ticket data, in order to selectively receive a further product download.

52. Apparatus adapted to carry out the method of any preceding claim.

53. Computer software adapted to carry out the method of any preceding claim.