GB2402235A - Distribution of plurality of computer programs on data carrier using access codes - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of distributing data comprising the supply of packs to a reseller (3), each pack comprises at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated identifier. The reseller (3) is permitted to sell on each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser (4) of access to selected data carried on the carrier. The associated identifier is received (2, 5) directly or indirectly from the purchaser (4). Upon receipt, arranging (2, 5) supply to an access code to obtain access to the selected data set.

Description

Data Distribution This invention relates to data distribution and is

particularly suited for use in the distribution of software. s

Traditionally software is distributed through resellers by selling boxed packaging. This means that the reseller has to hold corresponding stock and therefore has the associated costs and risks. These costs and risks include the capital tied up in the stock, theft, the administration of maintaining stock and the risks of having the wrong amounts of stock. These costs and risks are also pushed upstream to the distributor and the publisher of the software and downstream to the end customers.

It has been realised that it would be desirable to provide an alternative method for distributing sets of data and in particular for distributing software.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a way of distributing sets of data, for example software, which alleviate some of the disadvantages associated with the distribution techniques currently used.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provide a method distributing data comprising the steps of: supplying packs to a reseller, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated identifier; allowing the reseller to sell on each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carrier; receiving from the reseller details of the selected data set access to which has been promised to a purchaser together with the associated identifier; receiving from the purchaser the associated identifier, and upon said receipt, supplying to the purchaser means necessary to obtain access to the selected data set carried on the data carrier.

Typically each data carrier carries a predetermined plurality of controlled access data sets, and access is promised to at least one data set selected from said plurality of data sets.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provide a method distributing data comprising the steps of: supplying packs to a reseller, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying a predetermined plurality of controlled access data sets and each pack having a respective associated identifier; allowing the reseller to sell on each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set from the plurality of data sets carried on the carrier; receiving from the reseller details of the selected data set access to which has been promised to a purchaser together with the associated identifier; receiving from the purchaser the associated identifier, and upon said receipt, supplying to the purchaser means necessary to obtain access to the selected data sets carried on the data carrier.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer system for use in administrating a data distribution method, the data distribution method comprising the steps of: supplying packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated identifier; and reselling each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carrier, and the computer system comprising: input means for receiving release orders, each release order comprising an associated identifier of a pack that has been resold and an indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised as part of that resale; input means for receiving release requests from purchasers, each release request including a respective associated identifier; and, output means for outputting to purchasers the means necessary to obtain access s the selected data set indicated in a respective release order.

The computer system may further comprise storage means for storing a set of associated identifiers together with details of the controlled access data sets canted on the respective carriers.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer system for use in administrating a data distribution method, the data distribution method comprising the steps of: supplying packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated identifier; and reselling each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carrier, and the computer system being arranged under the control of software to: receive release orders, each release order comprising an associated identifier of a pack that has been resold and an indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised as part of that resale; receive release requests from purchasers, each release request including a respective associated identifier; and output to purchasers the means necessary to obtain access the selected data set indicated in a respective release order.

The computer system may be further arranged to store a set of associated identifiers together with details of the controlled access data sets carried on the respective carriers.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a computer system in administrating a data distribution method, the data distribution method comprising the steps of: supplying packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated identifier; and reselling each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carrier, and the method of operating the computer system comprising the steps of: receiving release orders, each release order comprising an associated identifier of a pack that has been resold and an indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised as part of that resale; receiving release requests from purchasers, each release request including a respective associated identifier; and outputting, to purchasers, the means necessary to obtain access the selected data set indicated in a respective release order.

The method of operating the computer system may also include the step of storing a set of associated identifiers together with details of the controlled access data sets carried on the respective carriers.

The associated identifier needs to be such that a given pack can be identified and may be unique to the respective pack.

The associated identifier may, for example, be supplied to a reseller with the pack or may be generated/chosen by the reseller.

Preferably each controlled access data set comprises a computer program, i.e. is a piece of software. More preferably still each controlled access data set comprises a software application.

Where such a data distribution method is used various advantages can be achieved. The supply of data carriers carrying a plurality of data sets can minirnise the need for a reseller to stock a wide range of separate products.

Stocking a single pack of the type envisaged herein might replace the need to stock 10, 20 or even more distinct product packs. This can help a reseller to have appropriate products available whilst carrying less stock, which can reduce costs, risks and administration. The present methods can enable the "sale!' of a single data set, e.g. single software application, by virtue of supplying a data carrier carrying say 10 distinct products. Moreover, as will be explained in more detail below, the methods allow control of access to the data sets on a data carrier to be separated from the sale of the carrier.

Preferably the administration computer system is connectable to at least one network. Preferably the release requests are received via the network, and preferably, the means necessary to obtain access the selected data set indicated in a respective release order are output via the network. Of course the release requests may then be sent from a purchaser's computer over the network and the means necessary to obtain access the selected data set may be received at the purchaser's computer via the network.

More preferably still, the release orders are received via the network. In such a case the release orders may be sent from a reseller's computer via the network.

The network used may comprise the Internet, which may be accessed, by one or more party, via the Public Switched Telephone Network and an Internet Service Provider or accessed directly. In some cases a private network connection might be available and used.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a computer system for receiving data via a data distribution method, the data distribution method comprising the steps of: supplying packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data sets and each pack having a respective associated identifier; and reselling each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carrier, and the method of operating the computer system comprising the steps of: outputting a release request including a respective associated identifier, the associated identifier being that associated with a data carrier that has been located in a data carrier reading device of the computer system and the release request being associated with a release order comprising the associated identifier of said data carrier and an indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised as part of the resale of the respective pack comprising said data carrier; receiving, in response to the submission of the release request, the means necessary to obtain access the selected data set indicated in the release order; and using the received means to obtain access to the selected data set from the data carrier.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer system for receiving data via a data distribution method, the data distribution method comprising the steps of: supplying packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated 1 5 identifier; reselling each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carrier, and the computer system being arranged under the control of software to: output a release request including a respective associated identifier, the associated identifier being that associated with a data carrier that has been located in a data carrier reading device of the computer system and the release request being associated with a release order comprising the associated identifier of said data carrier and an indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised as part of the resale of the respective pack s comprising said data carrier; receive in response to the submission of the release request, the means necessary to obtain access the selected data set indicated in the release order; and use the received means to obtain access to the selected data set from the data carrier.

The means necessary to obtain access to the selected data set may comprise an access code. The access code may be generated on the receipt of a release order. Similarly the access code may be generated on the receipt of a release request. The access code may be generic, that is to say, it may be such that it will serve to allow access to the selected data sets from the respective data carrier, wherever and whenever that data carrier is used. Alternatively the access code may be a specific access code; a specific access code being one that is only effective in predetermined circumstances. The specific access code may be arranged to allow access to the selected data set only when the respective data carrier is used on a particular computer. Where the specific access code is generated in response to receipt of a release request, information included in the release request, besides the associated identifier, may be used in determining the specific access code. In an example, the release request may include details of the purchaser's computer and this information may be used in s generating the specific access code.

Information from the purchaser may be requested and/or derived during the installation process, during which the release request is sent. This information may be used, for example, for marketing purposes, for copy protection lo purposes, and/or to enable documentation to be sent to the purchaser.

According to a eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a computer system for facilitating the supply of data via a data distribution method, the data distribution method comprising the steps of: supplying packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated identifier; and reselling each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carder, and the method of operating the computer system comprising the steps of: receiving the associated identifier of a pack which has been resold; receiving an indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised as part of the resale of said pack; and outputting a release order comprising the associated identifier of said pack and S the indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised.

According to an ninth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer system for facilitating the supply of data via a data distribution method, the data distribution method comprising the steps of: supplying packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated identifier; and reselling each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carrier, and the computer system being arranged under the control of software to: receive the associated identifier of a pack which has been resold; receive an indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised as part of the resale of said pack; and output a release order comprising the associated identifier of said pack and the indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised.

In some cases each pack may comprise a single data carrier alone. In other cases a pack may comprise a data carrier incombination with documentation and/or accessories and/or other data carriers. Where there is more than one data carrier in a pack, in general the data sets on each carrier will differ from one another. l

The associated identifier may be carried on the respective data carrier. Each data carrier may, for example, be a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or another data storage medium such as a solid state memory card. The data storage medium may be a re-writable medium, this can allow writing and re-writing of controlled access data sets onto the carrier. This can, for example, allow stock to be updated or specially configured. The use of reseller writable storage media is also useful in a system where carriers are to be sold carrying only a single data set.

Typically access to each data set on a carrier will be independently controlled.

The data sets on any one carrier may have a different origin from one another.

It will be seen that where there are a plurality of pieces of software on a single carrier, each piece may originate from a different publisher/software house.

Typically a third party, that is someone other than the originator of each data set, the reseller or the purchaser will administer the distribution of data. This is useful because it facilitates the provision of carriers including data of more than one origin - there is no need for a company to entrust their data with a s competitor or with a large number of different resellers.

The distribution method may comprise the steps of, a third party: receiving a plurality of data sets from one or more originators; producing a plurality of packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying said plurality of data sets as controlled access data sets; and assigning an associated identifier to each pack.

The third party may then supply the packs to resellers. The third party may receive the release orders from resellers and the third party may receive the release requests from purchasers. The third party may have a computer system for receiving and processing the release orders and requests. The third party's computer system may be connectable via a network to a reseller's computer and/or a purchaser's computer. This third party may be considered as a distribution administrator.

A second type of third party - at least one copy protection body - may be involved in the method. The copy protection body may be involved in the provision of the means necessar, to access the selected data sets, for example l in the generation of access codes. The computer system of the distribution administrator may be connectable via a network to a computer system of the copy protection body. The distribution administrator computer may, upon receipt of a release request, send a request for an appropriate access code to at least one copy protection body computer. The copy protection body computer may look up and/or generate an appropriate access code. The copy protection body computer may return the access code to the distribution administrator computer or may forward the access code to the purchaser.

In some cases the access code provided to a purchaser may be a composite access code comprising access codes for accessing respective data sets to which access should be obtained. The distribution administrator computer may produce a composite access code by collating access codes, at least one of which may be provided by a copy protection body computer.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer system for use in administrating a data distribution method, the data distribution method comprising the steps of: supplying packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least l one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated identifier; and reselling each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on' the carrier, and the computer system being arranged under the control of software to: receive release requests from purchasers, each release request including a respective associated identifier corresponding to a pack that has been resold together with the promise of access to a selected data set; confirm authority to enable access to the selected date set; and output to purchasers the means necessary to obtain access to the selected data set.

In order to confirm authority in one possible way, the computer system may be further arranged under the control of software to: output, to an entity believed to have received release orders corresponding to received release requests, requests for release authorization, each request for release authorization including the respective associated identifier; receive release authorizations in response to the respective requests for authorization, each release authorization comprising an indication of the selected data set to which access should be allowed; and output to purchasers the means necessary to obtain access to the selected data setindicated in the respective release authorization.

The entity to which a release order has been submitted may be indicated in and/or derivable from the release request. There may be only a single entity, ie distribution administrator to which the release request may have been sent.

In some embodiments the data carriers supplied are arranged to allow access to at least one carried data set for a trial period without payment. When the trial period has ended the purchaser may submit a release order upon appropriate payment and further submit a release request to obtain the desired data set or sets. In such a case the reseller may receive a proportion of the payment made.

The release order may be submitted via the reseller.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a data carrier carrying a predetermined plurality of controlled access data sets and having an associated identifier which is unique to the respective carrier, wherein the data sets originate from a plurality of different sources, and access to each data set is independently controllable.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program comprising code portions which when loaded and run on a computer cause the computer to carry out the steps of any one of the methods defined above.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a data carrier carrying a computer program comprising code portions which when loaded and run on a computer cause the computer to carry out the steps of any one of the methods deemed above. The data carrier in this instance may for example comprise a signal, or may comprise storage means such as a floppy disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM etc. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: IS Figure 1 schematically shows the basic architecture of a system which may be used in distributing data using a method which embodies the present invention; Figure 2 schematically illustrates a process which may be followed in carrying out a method according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows more detail of a system put in place to carry out a process of the kind generally indicated in Figure 2; and Figure 4 schematically shows the interaction of various parties which may occur when carrying out a method according to the present invention in some instances.

The present application is concerned with the distribution of sets of data from s originators to end users.

The carrying out and implementation of a particular distribution method will be described in more detail below but a brief explanation of the main idea of this embodiment is first given here. Data carriers carrying a plurality of different sets of data, for example, different pieces of software, are provided. Access to the data sets on the carriers is controlled, for example, the data is encrypted.

Each data carrier is also given an associated identifier, for example, a pack number. On selling the data carrier, the entity selling the data carrier records the specific sets of data, e.g. pieces of software, which the purchaser wishes to purchase, and supplies this information together with the pack number to a third party. Later, the customer may provide his pack number to the third party who in return provides the means necessary for the customer to obtain access to the sets of data for which they have paid. Upon receipt of the "means necessary" (for example, a decryption key) the customer is able to access the data sets for which they have paid. If these data sets are pieces of software, the purchaser may then install the software onto their system. On the other hand any other sets of data carried on the data carrier, for which the customer has not paid, remain inaccessible and unusable by that customer.

Whilst the methods and apparatus described herein are not useful solely for the s distribution of software, the distribution of software is of particular interest and the majority of the remainder of the description will be written in terms of the distribution of software. However, it should be remembered that the principles described herein can be applied to the distribution of other types of data sets besides computer programs.

Figure l schematically shows the parties involved in the distribution of software in a method embodying the present invention and also illustrates the basic architecture of a computer implemented system for carrying out such a method. In Figure 1, there are schematic representations of the parties involved. As well as representing the party itself, the representations should also be considered to represent a computer system located at the relevant location.

The architecture, shown in Figure l, for implementing the system comprises at least one software house (1) and its associated computer system which is connected via a network to the computer system of a third party distribution administrator (2). The third party distribution administrator computer system (2) is also connected via a network to a reseller's (3) computer system, an end user's computer system (4) and a copy protection body's computer system (5).

s In each case, the connections between the computer systems may be by way of the internet and thus may not be permanent or direct connections. However, in other circumstances there may be private network connections which may be permanent and secure. Private connections are more likely to exist between the software house (1) and the distribution administrator (2) and between the copy protection body (5) and the distribution administrator (2).

There may also be a connection between the copy protection body (S) and the end user (4). This connection is optional but again, if it is in place, it is most likely to be via the internet.

Each computer system mentioned above will comprise the usual components so as to be operable for the current purpose. These components will generally include memory means, processing means and input and output means, for example, a modem or a terminal adaptor for facilitating communication via the interconnecting networks.

In Figure 1, only a single software house (1), reseller (3), end user (4) and copy protection body (5) is shown. However, in practice, there is likely to be a plurality of each of these parties involved in a data distribution system m,aking use of the present ideas. Where there are a plurality of each of these entities involved, the principles used are much the same and can easily be extrapolated from the principles described below in the case where there is only a single one of each of these entities. Therefore, the majority of the remaining description is written in terms of there being a single one of each of these entities for the sake of brevity and simplicity.

As well as communication between the various entities by virtue of the computer network connections, other transfers of information or product items will occur in implementing the distribution method. These movements of information or products are indicated by the arrows included in Figure 1.

The code of software programs is transferred from the software house (1) to the distribution administrator (2) and copy protection information is transferred from the copy protection body (5) to the distribution administrator (2). This allows the production of data carriers, for example, CD-ROM's or DVD-ROM's which are then supplied from the distribution administrator (2) to the reseller (3). These data carriers may then be purchased by the end user (4).

Whilst the brief description above explains the physical movement of the software from the software house (1) to theend user (4) a more detailed consideration of the actual process used is required to understand the present invention. A more detailed explanation will now be given with particular reference to the remaining Figures. In Figure 2, the processes that occur are illustrated by means of columns

indicating the entities and arrows indicating movements of information or products, or indicating steps taken. In Figure 2, the third party distribution administrator (2) and the copy protection body (5) are considered as one entity since at this level of description the distinction between these two entities is not of great importance. The order in which the actions occur is basically given by proceeding from the top of the columns shown in Figure 2 to the bottom of the columns. In some circumstances however, the precise order of these steps is not critical and this should be borne in mind. The following description is written by starting at the top of the columns and working down.

In a first step, the content to be included on data carriers which are to be ultimately supplied to an end user is transferred from the publisher to the third party, i.e. the distribution administrator (2). This content in the present embodiment will largely comprise computer software applications but may include other data. Furthermore of course, in other embodiments, the content transferred may not be computer software but other sets of data, for example, an information resource such as a database.

After receipt of the content, the third party (2) produces packs making use of the content transferred. In practice, this generally first means producing a data carrier, for example, a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM carrying software received from the software house/publisher (1). The software applications are written onto the data carrier such that access to the software is controlled, for example the data is encrypted. Thus, once the data carrier has been created, it will carry a plurality of controlled access data sets i.e. software applications. This of course prevents access to the software applications unless the necessary means are available for accessing (e.g. decrypting) the code stored on the data carrier.

Each data carrier may be supplied alone, packaged alone or packaged with other material or data carriers. In whatever case, a "pack" can be considered to be produced for supply to the reseller. When each pack is produced, the third party distribution administrator (2) also assigns each pack with a unique associated identifier. This unique associated identifier, which can be tenned a pack number, is supplied with each data carrier.

The produced packs and numbers are supplied by the third party distribution administrator (2) to the reseller (3) and are available for resale.

The customer (end user) (4) may then visit the reseller (3) looking to purchase a particular software application included in the packs supplied. It will be appreciated that in some instances the reseller may be a physical shop which the customer can visit in person, and in other instances, the reseller may be a mail order supplier that may, for example, have a website which the user can visit in order to select a product. These different methods of reselling have no affect on the present ideas and either (or indeed other reselling methods) may be used in a system which makes use of the present invention.

Regardless of the reselling method, the user will at some point obtain a data carrier (pack) and at the same time the customer (4) will be given the unique identifier (pack number) associated with that data carrier.

When a customer (4) visits the reseller (3) in order to choose a product, the customer (4) will make the selection of a particular software application which they require. At this point they make the appropriate request to the reseller for this product. In response to the request, the reseller (3) provides the customer (4) with one of the data carriers which has been supplied by the third party distribution administrator (2). However, the data carrier supplied to the customer (4) will in most circumstances carry more programs than the customer (4) is interested in purchasing. In the present method, this is accommodated for by virtue of the fact that access to programs on the data carrier can be controlled.

The reseller (3) accepts payment for only the product(s) of interest, takes note of the product(s) of interest and supplies this information, together with the respective pack number, to the third party distribution administrator (2).

This information forwarded to the distribution administrator (2) can be termed a release order. It can also be considered as a set of marriage information: the unique associated identifier (pack number) is married up with the software requirements of the customer (4) in respect of this particular purchase.

In this embodiment the release order is generated and sent by the resellers computer system (3) via a network connection.

In the next step, the customer (4) takes the pack away to his computer system (4), where the software is to be installed, and begins the installation process.

This installation process is controlled by software included on the data carrier, which under the control of the user, sends information including the pack number via the available network connection to the distribution administrator's computer (2). The data sent during this transaction can be considered as a release request.

In response to this release request, the third party distribution administrator's computer (2), perhaps in co-operation with the data protection body (5), generates a release code which is then transmitted back to the customer's computer (4) over the network.

This release code is arranged so that it allows the customer (4) access only to those computer programs which were specified in the release order sent to the distribution administrator (2) by the reseller (3).

Of course, once the release code is received by the customer (4) the installation of the desired programs may be completed.

At some point in time after the customer (4) has purchased the pack from the reseller (3), the reseller (3) will pay an appropriate fee to the third party distribution administrator (2). This fee will reflect the actual software products which have been bought by the customer. In turn, the third party distribution administrator (2) will pay a royalty to the publisher (1) in respect of the software applications which have been bought by the consumer (4).

It should be noted that whilst the above description has been made in respect of a system where there are computer network connections between all parties, this in fact is not essential. In particular, the reseller (3) may have no computer network connection between it and the distribution administrator (2).

In these circumstances, the release order may be transmitted to the distribution administrator (2) by a different route. For example, the necessary marriage information may be transmitted to the distribution administrator (2) via fax or even post. In a further alternative system which is less integrated, but where a computer system is available, the necessary marriage information may be sent by email to the distribution administrator (2). This flexibility in the system is particularly attractive as it allows resellers (3) to take part in a distribution system without having to have a specially configured computer system.

Figure 3 shows different modules of the system for carrying out the distribution method. The location of these modules is also indicated.

In a publisher content module (M1) at the publisher (l), the software code (in encrypted or unencrypted form) for inclusion on the data carrier is transferred to the third party distribution administrator (2). This can be done in a number of ways, for example, by delivering a CD master or uploading the data to a file transfer protocol (FTP) site.

The content is received at a pack construction module (M2) at the third party distribution administrator (2). A number of software titles are placed on a pack master. A start up program created by the third party distribution administrator (2) is placed on the pack. This program is used to relay information to the distribution administrator (2) during set up and install the requested software.

If requested by the publisher, a designated form of copy protection can be added to an individual piece of software. The pack master's range (i.e. the range of software included) is then logged at a central database (M4) and the pack master is transferred to a distribution module (M3).

In the distribution module (M3), the pack master is used for replication. Each pack produced is given a unique pack identification number from the central database (M4). The packs are shipped to resellers and logged. Distribution also sends out additional consumables which have been requested by the customer, for example, a full boxed product, additional hardware etc. In the central database (M4), the unique pack identifier number can be used as the reference key for an SQL database. Some of the data that can be stored in central database (M4) is listed below. The information which might be stored can be broken down into different categories based on its nature or source as shown.

Information collated about the pack at the third party: Pack ID Pack Range Who was sent the Pack Created Date Reseller information: Reseller ID Reseller Store Reseller Staff Member The above information may be gathered from the release order and/or during pack installation.

Product information: Pack ID Activation Date Deactivation Date End Device ID Referral, yes or no Reseller commission paid date Commission level Box product / additional consumables paid Customer information: Name Address Contact Number E-mail Referral Payment Details The third party distribution administrator (2) also includes an information verification module (M5) for verifying received marriage information.

Typically not all resellers will have an advanced system of inputting the marriage information. Therefore it is desirable to have a body that converts telephone calls, emails, faxes etc. into the correct data format for the central database (M4). The information verification module (MS) can perform this function. The information also needs to be checked whether received electronically or via telephone etc. The information verification module (M5) checks whether information in release orders is authentic and confirms that the software has or will be paid for. The information verification module can also be used to give feedback to more advanced reseller systems.

A data security module (M6) is provided between the distribution administrator (2) and the reseller (3). This is used where there are electronic forms of communication between the reseller (3) and the third party (2). A web server and a combination of firewalls, security dangles, private and public keys can be used in this system.

At the reseller (3), there is a reseller interface module (M7). As mentioned above, in some circumstances the data concerning marriage information, i.e. release orders may be sent manually by telephone call for example and this would fulfil the reseller interface module (M7) function. In the preferred embodiment however, a computer implemented reseller interface module (M7) is provided and this allows more than data entry. In particular, feed back/input from the distribution administrator is facilitated. This can include pack numbers, information on products, information on current special offers - eg "campaign of the week".

An advanced reseller system might include a thick client which is used for data entry and encryption. For example, the think client could have a user login and an electronic reader for use in marrying the product(s) and packs.

This could provide verification and error check in respect of the marriage,and sale. The thick client might also encrypt XML used in the system and administer the relay of information between the reseller (3) and the third party (2).

In order to administer the financial aspect of the system, accounts modules are provided at the publisher (1), the third party (2) and the reseller (3). The third party accounts module (M9) interacts with the publisher accounts module (M8) and the reseller accounts module (M10).

A customer verification module (M11) is provided at the third party distribution administrator (2) to perform verification when a release request is received from a customer. The pack number present in the release request is used to interrogate the central database (M4) to determine what software should be installed onto the customer's computer system and check whether it has been installed on another computer system previously. Again the customer verification module is computer implemented in this embodiment.

A further data security module (M12) is provided to administer communications concerned with release requests. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) can be used to transfer the customer's information to the third party via a web server.

A pack installation module (M13) is included on each data carrier. On installing the pack onto the customer's computer system, the third party start up software produced under the pack construction module (M2) autoruns and asks if the customer wishes to trial or install some software. If the customer chooses to install software, the pack number is requested. After input, this information is relayed back to the third party along with information concerning the customer's computer and the customer. The customer's computer is then made to wait for an access code to be returned.

In this embodiment, a code generation module (M14) is provided at the distribution administrator (2). In this embodiment, the access code generated is a specific access code which will only allow access to the purchased software when used on the computer system used during installation. Thus, the code generation module (M14) generates an access code for each requested software title using information concerning the customer's computer system. However, in an alternative, a simple access code may be generated which would function on any computer system.

A data security module (MIS) is provided for the transmission of the access codes from the third party (2) to the customer (4). Again HTIPS can be used to transfer the access codes via a web server. , A software installation module (Ml6) is provided on the data carrier purchased by the customer and this uses the access code sent by the third party (2) to decrypt the appropriate software and complete the installation process.

In other circumstances code generation may be carried out by the copy protection body (S). In a situation where the access codes are provided by the copy protection body (S), these may be sent directly to the customer (4).

In an alternative the customer/the set up program included on the data carrier contacts the copy protection body (S) with a release request. The copy protection body (5) may in such a case communicate with the distribution administrator (2) to confirm whether any, and if so what, software should be accessed and installed. This communication may occur prior to receipt of the release request or after receipt of a release request.

The description above has been written in terms of a situation where there is only a single publisher or software house (1), a single reseller (3) and a single data protection body (5). However, in reality, there is likely to be more than one publisher (1), reseller (3) and copy protection body (5). The present ideas allow for this situation and indeed help to facilitate the distribution of data, for example software, in these situations.

Figure 4 illustrates the situation where there are a plurality of publishers (P1-Pn), a plurality of resellers (R1-Rn) and a plurality copy protection bodies (CPB1-CPBn). In this circumstance, the existence of the third party distribution administrator (2) helps to simplify the situation. Each publisher (1) need only have interactions with the third party distribution administrator (2) and similarly each reseller (3) and each copy protection body (5) need only have interactions with the third party distribution administrator (2) and the customer (4) rather than with each other and with each publisher (1).

Of course, there must be interaction between each reseller (3) and their respective customers (4). Further, in the system illustrated in Figure 4 there is also interaction between each copy protection body (5) and the respective customers (4). However, this interaction between the copy protection bodies (5) and the customers (4) is optional as the necessary interaction may take place via the third party distribution administrator (2).

In a system administered along the lines of those illustrated in Figure 4, a third party distribution administrator (2) is able to receive publisher content, for example, software programs, from a plurality of different publishers (1) and produce data carriers (or sets of data carriers) which include content from this plurality of publishers. It may also interact with the appropriate copy protection bodies (S) to ensure that there is appropriate copy protection for the programs included on any data carrier and also to facilitate customers obtaining access to their desired publisher content. Moreover, each reseller (3) may be supplied with data carriers carrying publisher content from a wide variety of different publishers (1) without having to have direct interaction with these publishers.

At the same time, no publisher is required to make its raw or unencrypted code available to any reseller (3) or any competitor publisher organisation (1). This IS unencrypted code need only be supplied to the third party distribution administrator (2) which is an independent body.

The distribution methods and apparatus of the present system carry with them a number of advantages.

1. The unique pack number and pack are useless on their own. The pack . is only worth the raw material and distribution costs making it disposable.

2. At least in some circumstances, the marriage information sent to the third party may not be time critical and can be sent by one way communication S devices. This means that a reseller can initially try the system by sending the information via fax, email, web form or phone etc. This removes the barrier of entry for a retailer to pilot the system. Depending on demand, the reseller could justify a more advanced system of relaying the information.

3. The pack numbers can be generated either by the reseller or the third party.

4. The customer should only need to enter one number when they are installing their software.

S. In some embodiments, during installation, information besides the unique identifier (pack number) may be transferred between the distribution administrator's computer and the customer's computer. This can provide a closed loop system which allows more sophisticated software copy protection methods to be used.

6. Further, systems may be arranged so that a copy protection method is linked to the specific customer's machine which is used in the installation process. This is to say, any access code provided to the customer may only work when the software is used and run on a particular computer system. This may be implemented by the system requesting input of information concerning the customer's computer system or by information concerning the customer's computer system being derived during the interactive installation process.

7. Additional information for other purposes can be sent to the third party distribution administrator during the installation process. Thus, for example, an address may be supplied and the customer asked whether further documentation or other material associated with the products that they have purchased are required. These could then be sent to the customer by the distribution administrator. In some cases, for example, a full boxed version of the software could be sent by the distribution administrator to a customer who has purchased the associated programs.

Below are some of the advantages which the various entities involved in the present distribution method may find as the result of using the process.

Publisher À Increased exposure on the high street À Un-lockable trials on the packs, allowing further exposed to customers.

À Tighter licence and copy protection controls.

À In-depth marketing information on what is being sold and where.

À No unsold returns or obsolete stock sent back to publisher.

À Decreased production costs and shared delivery charges.

Third Party À Greater economies of scale can be used in the producing the packs.

À Returns can be given away or destroyed, at a reseller level.

À Can monitor resellers stock and automatically fulfil it.

À Central fulfilment of box product and the additional consumables.

Reseller À No or lower up front stock charges.

À Maintaining stock level can be outsourced to the third party, reducing administration costs.

À Greater product and platform range. Reduces the risk of not having the right amount of, or the right type of, stock.

À Referral commission even after the customer has left the site, through sales of un-locked referrals.

À Packs that are stolen are only worth their raw material costs. May even generate revenue through a referral sale.

À No need to discount unwanted stock.

À All stock can be replaced after a period of time, insuring that it is up to date.

Customer À Wider choice of products À Greater availability.

À Flexibility to buy more products at a later date from home.

À Cost reducing in the supply chain passed down to the customer.

À Latest range of titles.

The computer resources needed by a reseller to start making use of this system can be minimal or even non existent. However, enhancements can be made by using a more advanced, computer based, point of sale system. Features of such a system can include: Staff login to verify who is selling which items for greater security and store feedback.

A dedicated user interface making the system easier to use and learn. This might include help as well as pack and product information. The interface can be arranged to receive and display feedback from the distribution administrator including information concerning special deals, new features and other promotional information to help the reseller to sell more product.

An integrated electronic reader to input the unique pack number and products chosen. This reader might be in the form of a conventional barcode reader.

Set up to help streamline the transfer of marriage information i.e. automatically generate and send release orders.

Set up to automatically generate purchase orders for the cost of goods sent or generate a fee transfer for goods.

Provision of instant error checking, for example, checking that the pack being sold includes the software requested by the user.

Creation of a pack number for the pack at the point of sale, or issuance of request to distribution administrator for a pack number.

Whilst at present the data carriers to be sold using the system of the present method will almost certainly comprise CD-ROM's or DVD-ROM's, in the future other forms of electronic data storage are likely to be used. One possibility is USB memory cards.

Where easily re-writable storage devices such as USB memory cards are used, this can give rise to advantages. The datamay be written inexpensively to the media at the point of sale, allowing the creation of the media at the point of sale or the updating of media at the point of sale. In some instances this could allow packs or data carriers to be tailored to the requirements of a particular user.

Further the media itself may have an electronic chassis number which could be used as the unique pack number. This number could also be used to identify the end user's location and the software could be designed only to run when the media is linked to a specific end user device.

In an alternative, there may be a network connection between the customer's system (4) and the copy protection bodies system (5) as indicated by dotted is lines in Figure 1. In this case, the necessary access codes for accessing pieces of software for which the customer has paid may be transmitted directly from the copy protection body (5) to the customer (4). As mentioned above, in an alternative, the release request and/or release codes may be communicated between the customer (4) and the copy protection body (5).

In an alternative system, some or all of the software obtained from a reseller, may be accessible and functional for a limited trial period. In this case, the customer would be able to access and use the data sets carried on the data carrier during this trial period but at the end of this trial period they would be required to make an appropriate release order if they wished to continue to use the products. Of course, a payment would be required at this time. Such a release order might be made via the original reseller (3) or directly. After having made a release order and made the appropriate release request, the appropriate access code would be provided to the customer to allow them to reactivate or reaccess the relevant products. At this time, the reseller (3) could be provided with a further referral fee and of course the publisher (1) would be in receipt of further royalties in respect of this effectively new purchase.

In further development or alternative, rather than a once off access code being provided to a customer's computer, longer term control may be facilitated. The installed sofware can be arranged to receive indications as to whether is should still be functioning. Possibilities are that the software can receive a message to stop working and/or the software can regularly check with the distribution administrator andlor the copy protection body that it should still be functioning.

This allows control if a new licence fee is due and/or a licence agreement has been breached and there is a desire to treminate the licence. This control can be product specific rather than merely pack specific. In effect products may be "un-married" from the pack number. The status of a pack and its married products can of course be maintained in the central database M4.

As mentioned in the description above various aspects of the present methods are (or can be) computer implemented. This leads to the provision of computers arranged under the control of software to perform functions used in carrying out the method - such computers embody the present invention.

Apparatus are also described and embody the invention, for example, a resellers point of sale system or a distribution administrator's computer system which operates to provide the functions described above. Of course the software needed to run on such computers may be supplied on a data carrier and data carriers, for example, hard disks, CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs carrying programs for causing computers to carry out any method, or part thereof, described above are also embodiments of the invention.

Whilst many aspects of the present system may, and in the specific embodiment are, computer implemented, the areas where this is most useful/pertinent to the present invention or embodiments thereof include: The administration of release orders and release requests, and the subsequent issuance of release codes.

The processing and sending of release orders at the reseller's computer system. i

The control of data set access (and installation of programs) at the customer's computer system. l

Claims (40)

1. (' eest et:. ce. 'l: .e.. t' CLAIMS: 1. A computer system for use in

   administrating a data distribution method, the data distribution method comprising the steps of: supplying packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated identifier; and reselling each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carrier, and the computer system being arranged under the control of software to: receive release orders, each release order comprising an associated identifier of a pack that has been resold and an indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised as part of that resale; receive release requests from purchasers, each release request including a respective associated identifier; and output to purchasers the means necessary to obtain access to the selected data set indicated in a respective release order.
2. 2. A computer system according to claim 1 which is arranged to store a set of associated identifiers together with details of the controlled access data Àe tie Àe Ice.e t,: sets carried on the respective carriers.
3. 3. A computer system according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the associated identifier is supplied to a reseller with the pack or is generatedlchosen by the reseller.
4. 4. A computer system according to any preceding claim in which each controlled access data set comprises a computer program.
5. S. A computer system according to any preceding claim which computer system is connectable to at least one network, the release requests are received via the network, and the means necessary to obtain access to the selected data set indicated in a respective release order are output via the network.
6. 6. A computer system according to claim 5 in which the release orders are received via the network.
7. 7. A computer system according to any preceding claim in which the means necessary to obtain access to the selected data set comprises an access code.
8. 8. A computer system according to claim 7 in which the access code is generated on the receipt of a release order or is generated on the receipt of a release request.
9. 9. A computer system according to claim 7 or 8 in which the access code is generic, that is to say, it is such that it will serve to allow access to the selected data sets from the respective data carrier, wherever and whenever that data carrier is used.
10. 10. A computer system according to claim 7 or 8 in which the access code is a specific access code; a specific access code being one that is only effective in predetermined circumstances.
11. 11. A computer system according to claim 10 in which the specific access code is arranged to allow access to the selected data set only when the respective data carrier is used on a particular computer.
12. 12. A computer system according to claim 10 or claim 11 when dependent on claim 8 wherein information included in the release request, besides the associated identifier, is used in determining the specific access code.
13. 13. A computer system according to any preceding claim in which information from the purchaser is requested and/or derived during the installation process during which the release request is sent.

    S
14. 14. A computer system according to any preceding claim which comprises a computer of a distribution administrator and a computer of a copy protection body, the distribution administrator computer being arranged, upon receipt of a release request to send a request for an appropriate access code to the copy protection body computer.
15. 15. A computer system according to claim 14 in which the copy protection body computer returns the access code to the distribution administrator computer for forwarding to the purchaser or forwards the access code to the purchaser.
16. 16. A method of operating a computer system in administrating a data distribution method, the data distribution method comprising the steps of: supplying packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated identifier; and reselling each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the ta respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carrier, and the method of operating the computer system comprising the steps of: receiving release orders, each release order comprising an associated identifier of a pack that has been resold and an indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised as part of that resale; receiving release requests from purchasers, each release request including a respective associated identifier; and outputting, to purchasers, the means necessary to obtain access to the selected data set indicated in a respective release order.
17. 17. A method according to claim 16 including the step of storing a set of associated identifiers together with details of the controlled access data sets carried on the respective carriers.
18. 18. A method according to claim 16 or claim 17 in which the associated identifier is supplied to a reseller with the pack or is generated/chosen by the reseller.
19. 19. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 18 in which each controlled access data set comprises a computer program.

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20. 20. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 19 wherein the computer system is connectable to at least one network, the release requests are received via the network, and the means necessary to obtain access to the selected data set indicated in a respective release order are output via the network.
21. 21. A method according to claim 20 in which the release orders are received via the network.
22. 22. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 21 in which the means necessary to obtain access to the selected data set comprises an access code.
23. 23. A method according to claim 22 in which the access code is generated on the receipt of a release order or is generated on the receipt of a release request.
24. 24. A method according to claim 22 or 23 in which the access code is generic, that is to say, it is such that it will serve to allow access to the selected data sets from the respective data carrier, wherever and whenever that data carrier is used.

    À À .: À ee. .: À :e À À À . .
25. 25. A method according to claim 22 or 23 in which the access code is a specific access code; a specific access code being one that is only effective in predetermined circumstances.
26. 26. A method according to claim 25 in which the specific access code is arranged to allow access to the selected data set only when the respective data carrier is used on a particular computer.
27. 27. A method according to claim 25 or claim 26 when dependent on claim 23 wherein information included in the release request, besides the associated identifier, is used in determining the specific access code.
28. 28. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 27 in which information from the purchaser is requested and/or derived during the installation process during which the release request is sent.
29. 29. A method of operating a computer system for receiving data via a data distribution method, the data distribution method comprising the steps of: supplying packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data sets and each pack having a respective associated identifier; and Àe;Àe reselling each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carrier, and the method of operating the computer system comprising the steps of: outputting a release request including a respective associated identifier, the associated identifier being that associated with a data carrier that has been located in a data carrier reading device of the computer system and the release request being associated with a release order comprising the associated identifier of said data carrier and an indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised as part of the resale of the respective pack comprising said data carrier; receiving, in response to the submission of the release request, the means necessary to obtain access the selected data set indicated in the release order; and IS using the received means to obtain access to the selected data set from the data carrier.
30. 30. A computer system for receiving data via a data distribution method, the data distribution method comprising the steps of: supplying packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated À : À À e. : À Àe ee e identifier; reselling each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carrier, and the computer system being arranged under the control of software to: output a release request including a respective associated identifier, the associated identifier being that associated with a data carrier that has been located in a data carrier reading device of the computer system and the release request being associated with a release order comprising the associated identifier of said data carrier and an indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised as part of the resale of the respective pack comprising said data carrier; receive in response to the submission of the release request, the means necessary to obtain access the selected data set indicated in the release order; and use the received means to obtain access to the selected data set from the data carrier.
31. 31. A method of operating a computer system for facilitating the supply of data via a data distribution method, the data distribution method comprising the steps of: e e' ee e e e e e e: e e e e e supplying packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated identifier; and reselling each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carrier, and the method of operating the computer system comprising the steps of: receiving the associated identifier of a pack which has been resold; receiving an indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised as part of the resale of said pack; and outputting a release order comprising the associated identifier of said pack and the indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised.
32. 32. A computer system for facilitating the supply of data via a data distribution method, the data distribution method comprising the steps of: supplying packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated identifier; and reselling each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carrier, and the computer system being arranged under the control of software A:: c.. .:e to: receive the associated identifier of a pack which has been resold; receive an indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised as part of the resale of said pack; and output a release order comprising the associated identifier of said pack and the indication of the selected data set to which access has been promised.
33. 33. A distribution method comprising the steps of, a third party: receiving a plurality of data sets from one or more originators; producing a plurality of packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying said plurality of data sets as controlled access data sets; and assigning an associated identifier to each pack.
34. 34. A computer system for use in administrating a data distribution method, the data distribution method comprising the steps of: supplying packs, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated identifier; and reselling each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carrier, and the computer system being arranged under the control of software Àe À * ce Àe e:.: :: to: receive release requests from purchasers, each release request including a respective associated identifier corresponding to a pack that has been resold together with the promise of access to a selected data set; confirm authority to enable access to the selected date set; and output to purchasers the means necessary to obtain access to the selected data set.
35. 35. A computer system according to claim 34 wherein, in order to confirm authority, the computer system is further arranged under the control of software to: output, to an entity believed to have received release orders corresponding to received release requests, requests for release authorization, each request for release authorization including the respective associated identifier; receive release authorizations in response to the respective requests for authorization, each release authorization comprising an indication of the selected data set to which access should be allowed; and output to purchasers the means necessary to obtain access to the selected data set indicated in the respective release authorization.
36. 36. A data carrier carrying a predetermined plurality of controlled access l t*ebe s9 data sets and having an associated identifier which is unique to the respective carrier, wherein the data sets originate from a plurality of different sources, and access to each data set is independently controllable.
37. 37. A method of distributing data comprising the steps of: arranging supply of packs to a reseller, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying at least one controlled access data set and each pack having a respective associated identifier; allowing the reseller to sell on each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set carried on the carrier; receiving directly or indirectly from the reseller, details of the selected data set access to which has been promised to a purchaser together with the associated identifier; receiving directly or indirectly from the purchaser, the associated identifier, and upon said receipt, arranging supply to the purchaser of means necessary to obtain access to the selected data set carried on the data carrier.
38. 38. A method of distributing data comprising the steps of: arranging supply of packs to a reseller, each pack comprising at least one data carrier carrying a predetermined plurality of controlled access data sets and Àe À # I s hi* À e each pack having a respective associated identifier; allowing the reseller to sell on each pack together with the associated identifier and a promise to the respective purchaser of access to at least one selected data set from the plurality of data sets carried on the carrier; receiving directly or indirectly from the reseller, details of the selected data set access to which has been promised to a purchaser together with the associated identifier; receiving directly or indirectly from the purchaser, the associated identifier, and upon said receipt, arranging supply to the purchaser of means necessary to obtain access to the selected data sets carried on the data carrier.
39. 39. A computer program comprising code portions which when loaded and run on a computer cause the computer to carry out the steps of any one of claims 16 to 29, 31, 37, 38 or cause the computer to constitute a computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 1S, 30, 32,34, 35
40. 40. A data carrier carrying a program according to claim 30.