JP2003242032A - System for transferring right to use, device for controlling information on right to use, method of controlling transfer of right to use, program therefor, and program storing medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distribute a right to use by allowing the transfer of the right to use of the content between users. <P>SOLUTION: A device for controlling information on the right to use has a function of receiving the information on the right to use from a device for issuing the right to use, and storing the information, a function of receiving a content transmission request from a user terminal unit, determining whether or not the transmission request is correct based on the stored information on the right to use, and instructing the distribution of the content to a content distribution unit if the transmission request is determined as correct, and a function of receiving the transfer request of the right to use from the user terminal unit and changing the information on the right to user stored based on this request. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a usage right transfer system, a usage right information management device, a method for managing the transfer of usage rights, a program for these, and a program storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of networks in recent years and the spread and expansion of gray content (music, movies, games, etc.) that cannot be acquired by users via the network, users are able to download downloaded content. It has become possible to store content on other computers and play it for fun, and to exchange content with other users such as friends and acquaintances.

[0003]

When the user owns the content and exchanges the content in this way, a large amount of the content is copied and exists on the network, and the creator of the content. Alternatively, it is difficult for an administrator (eg, copyright owner) to manage the content.

On the other hand, if the content that the user has just purchased is strictly restricted from being handed over or exchanged to another person, the distribution of the content between the users will be hindered, and the utility value of the content will be increased. May hinder the improvement of

[0005] As described above, a large amount of content is copied.
When managing (music, movies, games, etc.) on the network, it is not always necessary to save the content itself for each user of the content <, such as rights that can be used when desired, for each content user. It should be managed in. As a result, the number of files with the same content on the network can be significantly reduced.

Furthermore, by providing a mechanism for transferring the right, the right promotes the distribution between users,
As a result, it can be expected that the value of the right itself will be increased.

An object of the present invention is to enable transfer of rights without damaging the rights of content holders and content users.

[0008]

The present invention has the following features as means for solving the above problems.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a usage right issuing device connected to a communication network, a usage right information management device connected to the communication network, a content distribution device connected to the communication network, and a communication network. And a usage right issuing device, the usage right issuing device generates content usage right information in response to a request to issue a content usage right from the user terminal device,
Send to the usage right information management device, and the usage right information management device
It receives the usage right information from the usage right issuing device, stores it, receives the content transmission request from the user terminal device, and judges whether or not the transmission request is valid based on the stored usage right information. If the content distribution device is instructed, the content distribution device is instructed to distribute the content, the usage right transfer request from the user terminal device is received, the stored usage right information is changed based on the request, and the content distribution device is changed. Receives a content distribution instruction from the usage right information management device, distributes the content to the user terminal device according to the instruction, and the user terminal device transmits a usage right issuance request to the usage right issuing device to manage the usage right information management. Send a content delivery request to the device and receive the content delivered from the content delivery device in response to this content delivery request. And transmitting the usage right transfer request addressed to the usage right information managing device.

The invention according to claim 2 receives the usage right information storage means for storing the usage right information, the information for specifying the content to be transferred and the user who is the transferee, and based on this, the usage right information recording means. And a transfer instruction information processing means for changing the usage right information recorded in (1).

The invention according to claim 4 is the step of receiving the information for specifying the usage right to be transferred, the step of receiving the information for specifying the transferor and the transferee of the usage right, and the usage right of the user who is the transferor. Change the information to delete or change the usage right that was the transfer target, while changing the usage right information of the transferee user to add or change the usage right that was the transfer target And a step.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Prior to describing an embodiment of the present invention, an example of a business model realized by the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a distribution method of contents used in this business model.
First, a user (referred to as user A) accesses the usage right issuing device 102 from the user terminal device 101, and acquires a usage right for desired content (referred to as content A). At this time, regarding the payment of the usage right consideration, the usage right issuing device 102 may perform payment settlement processing of the usage right consideration by the user A. For example, when the usage right issuing device acquires the bank account number, credit card number, etc. of the user A, notifies the information to the payment system of the bank or credit card company, and receives the notification that payment is possible. Only the right to issue the usage right.

Next, the usage right issuing device 102 transmits information (called usage right information) recording that the user A has acquired the usage right for the content A to the usage right information management device 103, and the usage right information is managed. The information management device 103 receives and records this usage right information. The data of the content A is not provided to the user A, but is stored in the content storage 104 described later.

Now, when the user A wants to use (view, browse, etc.) the content A, the user A uses the user terminal device 101 to request the usage right information management device 103 to use the content A.

When the usage right information management device 103 receives the usage request for the content A from the user A, the usage right information management device 103 searches the stored usage right information, and the user A downloads the content A.
Judge whether or not the user has the usage right. When the user A has the usage right for the content A, the usage right information management device 103 determines that the content distribution device 1
05 is requested to send the content A to the user terminal device 101 of the user A.

Upon receiving the request from the usage right information management device 103, the content distribution device 105 reads out the data of the content A from the content storage 104 in response to the request and transfers it to the user terminal device 101 of the user A. Send to.

The content storage 105 need only have one data file for the same content. It is not necessary to create multiple files for each user who has the right to use the content. Even if the user A who is different from the user A obtains the usage right for the content A, it is not necessary to newly create the content A for the user B. With this mechanism, the number of files of the same content on the network can be significantly reduced.

The purpose of this business model is to allow the above-mentioned usage rights to be transferred between users and to distribute the usage rights. An example of the transfer of the usage right in this business model will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

FIG. 2 shows a usage right 20 related to the content A.
An example of transferring 1 from User A to User B is shown.
When the usage right is transferred from the user A to the user B in this way, the usage right information management device 103 accepts the usage request for the content A from the user A, but does not accept the usage request for the content A from the user A.

FIG. 3 shows an example in which only a part of the usage right for the content A is transferred from the user A to the user B. In the case of this example, the usage right is a content that allows the content to be used within a predetermined number of times (five times in the figure) within a predetermined period. In the example shown in the figure, the usage right for two times of use is transferred from the user A to the user B while the remaining number of uses is five.

When the usage right is transferred from the user A to the user B in this way, the usage right information management device 103 recognizes the usage request of the content A by the user A up to three times in the future, while the content A from the user B is requested by the user A. It operates to accept usage requests up to twice.

FIG. 4 shows another example in which only a part of the usage right for the content A is transferred from the user A to the user B. In this example, the usage right is such that the content can be used any number of times within a predetermined period.
In the example shown in the figure, the usable period is from January 2002 to 2
User A will transfer the usage rights for March 2002 only to March 2002, until March 2002.

When a part of the usage right is transferred from the user A to the user B in this way, the usage right information management device issues a usage request for the content A by the user A from January 2002 to February 2.
During the month, the reception request is not accepted and the usage request for the content A from the user B is accepted from March 2002.

Since the transfer of the usage right in this business model does not involve the distribution of the copy of the content, the profit of the owner of the content or the administrator is not impaired by the illegal copying, and the owner of the usage right Will be able to freely transfer the right to use the content without worrying about copyright issues.

Embodiments of the Invention Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[System Configuration Example] The embodiment of the present invention described here provides a system for realizing the above business model (hereinafter referred to as a usage right transfer system). FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the usage right transfer system.

The usage right transfer system shown in the figure is a usage right issuing device connected to the communication network 500, a usage right information management device 103 connected to the communication network 500, and the communication network 500.
Content distribution device 105 connected to the communication network 50
0 and a user terminal device 101 that can be connected.

[Communication Network 500] The communication network 500 is wired.
When a device connected to a wireless line, a leased line or a switched line establishes a session with a target device, it acts to enable transmission / reception of information between them. The communication network 500 may be realized by combining a plurality of networks via a gateway like the Internet. In addition, even if the connection is not directly connected to the so-called backbone, but is also temporarily connected by PPP (Point to Point Protocol) connection, etc., when the session is established, information is transmitted and received between them. It's okay if you can do it. The "communication network" includes a communication network that does not use an exchange, such as a fixed line with fixed lines.

[Usage Right Issuing Device] Usage Right Issuing Device 102
Has a function of generating content usage right information in response to a content usage right issuance request from the user terminal device 101 and transmitting the content usage right information to the usage right information management device 103.

The usage right issuing device 102 is provided with an external storage device such as an arithmetic processing unit (CPU), a main memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an input / output device (I / O) and a hard disk device. And an information processing device such as a computer or a workstation.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the usage right issuing device 102. The usage right issuing device 102 includes a processing control unit 601.
A communication control means 602 and an issuance request reception means 502
, Content presenting means 501, and settlement processing means 504
And a usage right information issuing means 503, and these means exchange commands and data with each other via the bus means 603.

The processing control means 601 includes the usage right issuing device 1
In order for 02 to fulfill its function, it has a function of issuing commands such as activation of each means and passing of information. The communication control means 602 has a function of receiving information from the communication network 500 and sending information to the communication network 500, and is, for example, a protocol stack, a central processing unit that executes a predetermined communication procedure according to the protocol stack, or the like. Front End Communication Processo
r). When the issue request receiving unit 502 receives the issue request from the user terminal, the content presenting unit 501.
It has a function to activate. Content presenting means 501
Generates a list of contents that can be provided to the user, information such as the price of each content that the user can refer to when acquiring the right to use the content, and the information is generated by the communication control unit 60.
2 has a function of transmitting the issuance request to the user terminal device 101 that has transmitted the issuance request. Payment processing means 504
When receiving the selected content and the usage right acquisition application from the user terminal device 101, notifies the external payment processing system (not shown) of the payment processing, and the payment processing is performed from the payment processing system. When receiving the notification to the effect, it functions to activate the usage right information issuing means 503.

The usage right information issuing means 503 has a function of receiving the notification from the settlement processing means 504, generating usage right information, and transmitting this to the usage right information management device 103 via the communication control means 602. Have.

[Usage Rights Information Management Device] Next, a configuration example of the usage rights information management device 103 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the usage right information management device 103.

The usage right information management device 103 receives the usage right information from the usage right issuing device 102 and stores it, and receives the content transmission request from the user terminal device 101, and based on the stored usage right information. Then, it is determined whether or not this transmission request is valid, and if it is determined to be valid, the function of instructing the content distribution device 105 to distribute the content and the transfer request of the usage right from the user terminal device 101 are received. It has a function of changing the stored usage right information based on a request.

The usage right information management device 103 is provided with an external storage device such as an arithmetic processing unit (CPU), a main memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an input / output device (I / O) and a hard disk device. Device, which is an information processing device such as a computer or a workstation. A program for causing the information processing apparatus to function as the usage right information management apparatus 103 according to the present embodiment or a program for a method of managing the transfer of the usage right is stored in the ROM or the hard disk device. C on the main memory
When the PU executes this, the usage right information management device is realized, or the method of executing usage right management is executed. Further, the above-mentioned program does not have to be stored in the storage device in the device, and is provided from an external device (for example, ASP (server of application service provider)) and stored in the main memory. It may be configured to be mounted.

The usage right information management device 103 includes a control processing unit 701, a communication control unit 702, a usage right information storage unit 505, a usage right information extraction unit 506, a transfer instruction request processing unit 507, and a content transmission instruction. Means 508
And access authentication means 704. These means exchange commands and data with each other via the bus means 703.

The processing control means 701 has a function of issuing commands such as activation of each means and transfer of information so that the usage right information management device 103 fulfills its function. The communication control means 702 has a function of receiving information from the communication network 500 and transmitting information to the communication network 500, and for example, a protocol stack, a central processing unit that executes a predetermined communication procedure according to the protocol stack, and the like. Front End Communication Proc
essor). The access authentication unit 704 has a function of determining whether or not to permit access from the user terminal device 101. The access authentication unit 704 stores the information registered by the user in advance (for example, the user ID and password), and compares the information registered by the user with the information transmitted from the user when accessing from the user terminal. Alternatively, it may be determined whether or not the access is permitted.

The content transmission instructing means 508 receives a content transmission request from the user terminal device 101, judges whether or not the usage right information matching the content transmission request is stored in the usage right information storage means 505, and stores it. If so, it has a function of transmitting a content transmission instruction to the content distribution device 105.

The transfer instruction request processing means 507 has a function of receiving a transfer instruction from the user terminal device 101, causing the usage right information extracting means 506 to extract the usage right owned by the user and transmit the usage right to the user terminal device 101. And a function of receiving the content to be transferred and the information specifying the user who is the transferee from the user terminal device 101 and changing the usage right information recorded in the usage right information recording unit 505 based on the information.

The usage right information storage means 505 has a function of storing usage right information. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of the usage right information stored in the usage right information storage unit 505. In the example shown in the figure, one usage right table 800 is created for each user, and one usage right table is composed of one or a plurality of usage right information 8011, 8012, ... Owned by the same user. It The record storing one piece of usage right information includes a content identification information field 802 for storing information identifying the content subject to the usage right and a content name field 803 for storing information indicating the content.
And available period field 8 that stores the conditions of the usage right
04 and the remaining number of times of use 805. Each usage right information 8011, 8012, ... Is associated with a user identification information field 806 that stores information that identifies a user (user terminal device). The content specifying information field 802 and the user specifying information field 8
Although 06 is an essential item of the usage right information, other fields may be provided as necessary.

[Content Delivery Device] Next, the content delivery device 105 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The content distribution device 105 has a function of receiving a content distribution instruction from the usage right information management device 103 and distributing the content to the user terminal device 101 in accordance with this instruction. However, the content distribution device 10
Even when the content distribution request is received from the user terminal device 101, the content 5 does not distribute the content in response to the content distribution request. Content distribution by the content distribution device 105 is performed by file-based download such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or streaming (Stream).
ing Technology) can be used.

The content distribution device 105 includes an external storage device such as an arithmetic processing unit (CPU), a main memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an input / output device (I / O), and a hard disk device. The device is an information processing device such as a computer or a workstation.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the content distribution device 105. In this configuration example, the content distribution device 105 includes a processing control unit 901, a communication control unit 702, a content storage unit 509, a transmission instruction receiving unit 510, and a content transmission processing unit 511.
And have. These means exchange commands and data with each other via the bus means 903.

The processing control means 901 has a function of issuing commands such as activation of each means and delivery of information so that the content distribution device 105 fulfills its function. The communication control means 902 has a function of receiving information from the communication network 500 and sending information to the communication network 500, and for example, a protocol stack, a central processing unit that executes a predetermined communication procedure according to the protocol stack, and the like. Front End Communication Proc
essor). Upon receiving the content delivery instruction from the usage right information management device 103, the transmission instruction receiving means 510 provides the content transmission processing means 5 with the information for identifying the content and the destination information of the user terminal device 101 as the delivery destination.
It has a function to pass to 11.

When the content transmission processing means 511 receives the content and the destination information of the user terminal device 101 which is the delivery destination from the transmission instruction receiving means 510, the content storage means 5 is based on the information specifying the content.
09 has a function of acquiring the data of the content from 09 and transmitting the data to the user terminal device 101 which is the distribution destination via the communication control means 902. The content transmission processing means 511 may have a table as shown in FIG. 10 so that the recording location of the file of the content can be identified from the information identifying the content. The table shown in FIG. 10 is an example of a table in which content IDs are recorded in association with file names and path names.

As a modification of the present embodiment, the usage right information management device 103 can also be configured to send the file name and path name of the content to the content distribution device 105 as information for specifying the content. .

The content storage means 509 has a function of storing the data of the content subject to the usage right.
The content is stored in the content storage means in the file format of each content. The content storage unit 509 may be plural. Further, the content storage unit 509 does not need to be physically stored in the content distribution apparatus 105, and the content distribution apparatus 1
05 connected to an external hard disk or a storage device connected to the content distribution device 105 via a network.
It may be a server or the like.

[User Terminal Device] Next, the user terminal device 101 will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 11
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the user terminal device 101.

The user terminal device 101 has a function of issuing a usage right issuance request to the usage right issuing device 102 and a content distribution request addressed to the usage right information management device 103, and the content distribution device 105 responds to the content distribution request.
It has a function of receiving contents distributed from the device and a function of transmitting a usage right transfer request to the usage right information management device 103.

The user terminal device 101 includes an external storage device such as an arithmetic processing unit (CPU), a main memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an input / output device (I / O), and a hard disk device. The device is, for example, an information processing device such as a computer, a workstation, a mobile communication terminal, a PDA (Personal Data Assistant), and a mobile phone. A program for causing the information processing device to function as the user terminal device according to the present embodiment or a program for a method of transferring the usage right is stored in the ROM or the hard disk device, and these programs are stored in the main memory. The user terminal device is realized or the method is executed by the CPU executing this. Also,
The program does not have to be stored in a storage device in the device, and may be stored in an external device (for example, AS
It may be provided from P (application service provider server, etc.) and placed in the main memory.

The user terminal device 101 is the processing control means 11
01, communication control means 1102, content request means 512, transfer instruction means 513, and information browsing means 514.
And input means 1104 and display means 1105. These means exchange commands and data with each other via the bus means 1103.

The processing control means 1101 has a function of issuing commands such as activation of each means and passing of information so that the user terminal device 101 fulfills its function. The communication control means 1102 has a function of receiving information from the communication network 500 and transmitting information to the communication network 500, and for example, a protocol stack, a central processing unit that executes a predetermined communication procedure according to the protocol stack, and the like. Front End Communication Proc
essor). The content requesting unit 512 has a function of generating a content distribution request message addressed to the usage right information management apparatus 103 and transmitting the message via the communication control unit 1102. This content distribution request message includes at least information for specifying the user or the user terminal device 101 and information for specifying the content.

The transfer instruction means 513 has a function of generating a content transfer processing request message addressed to the usage right information management device 103 and transmitting it via the communication control means 1102.

The information browsing means 514 is the communication control means 11
It has a function of receiving information transmitted from the usage right information management device 103 via 02 and displaying it on the display means 1105. The information transmitted from the usage right information management device 103 is a usage right list information, a user interface screen for inputting information on the usage right to be transferred and the transferee, and the like.

The input means 1104 is means for the user to provide the information for specifying the user or the user terminal device 101, the information for specifying the content, etc. to the content requesting means 512, the transfer instructing means 513, etc., for example, a keyboard. , Mouse, tracking ball and other pointing devices.

The display means 1105 is the information browsing means 514.
Means for providing the information received from the user in a form recognizable to the user, such as a liquid crystal display device or a CRT.
For example, a display device.

[Example of Operation of this System] Next, an example of operation when the transfer of the usage right is processed by the above system will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 19. 12
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example when processing the transfer of the usage right by the system. First, a user A
Is in a situation where another user B wants to hand over the usage right of the content X. The content of the usage right of the content currently owned by the user A for the content X is 200
10 from January 1, 2 to April 4, 2002
It is possible to use the transmission of the content once, and the user A intends to transfer the usage right for five times to the user B.

The user A uses the user terminal device 101A to establish a connection with the usage right information management device 103, and then transmits a usage right transfer processing request message to the usage right information management device 103 (S1201). The usage right information management device 103 transmits input screen data for prompting the user terminal device 101A to input information for confirming the user (S1202). FIG. 13 shows the user terminal device 101.
The example of the input screen data displayed in A is shown. The window 1300 is a window shown by the display means of the user terminal device A, and may be a window provided by the basic software (Operating System) installed in the user terminal device, or provided by the information browsing means. It may be a window that is opened. The window 1300 has an area 1301 for inputting a user ID, which is information for identifying a user, and an area 1302 for inputting a password for confirming that the user is valid. Further, it has a button 1303 for transmitting the input user ID and password to the usage right information management device and a button 1304 for interrupting or canceling the processing.

The user of the user terminal device 101A uses the input means 1104 to input the user ID and password assigned to himself / herself in the areas 1301 and 1302, and then presses the enter key on the button 1303, clicks with the pointing device, etc. When the user terminal device 101A is activated by the operation of, the user terminal device 101A transmits the input user ID and password to the usage right information management device 103 (S1203).

The usage right information management apparatus 103 authenticates the user based on the received user ID and password (S1204). When the user is authenticated as valid, the usage right information management device 103 extracts the usage right information that matches the user ID from the usage right information stored in the usage right information storage unit 505, and the user A The usage right list information for listing the owned usage rights is generated (S1205). Then, the usage right information management device 103
The usage right list information is transmitted to the user terminal device 101A (S1206). On the other hand, if the user is authenticated as legitimate in step 1204, the usage right information management device 103 sends a message to the effect that the transfer of the usage right is not accepted to the user terminal device 101A (not shown).

The user terminal device 101A which has received the usage right list information shows it to the user A by the display means 1105. FIG. 14 shows an example of a usage right list display screen and an input screen displayed by the user terminal device 101 that has received the usage right information. Window 1400
Is a window shown by the display means 1105 of the user terminal device 101A, and is a basic software (Operating Syste) installed in the user terminal device 101.
m) may be the window provided by
It may be a window provided by the information browsing unit 514. In the window 1400, an area 1401 for displaying a list of usage rights owned by the user, an area 1404 for inputting a usage right to be transferred, and information for specifying a user (transferee) to whom the usage right is transferred. Input box 1405, a button 1406 for transmitting information specifying the usage right to be transferred and the transferee to the usage right information management device, and a button 1407 for interrupting or canceling the processing. There is.

Upon receiving the usage right list information, the user terminal device 101A inputs the information specifying the usage right to be transferred from the user and the information specifying the user (transferee) to whom the usage right is transferred. Accept (S120
7).

An example of these inputs will be described with reference to FIG. The user decides which usage right to transfer while looking at the usage right information displayed in the area 1401. In the example shown in the figure, the usage right 1402 of the content X having the content name “AAAA”, the usage right 1403 of the content Y having the content name “BBB”, and the like are displayed in the area 1401. Since the user A transfers the usage right of the usage right 1402 five times to the user B, the usage right 1401 is input to the area 1404 (however, the usage count is 5 times), and at the same time, the usage right of the user B is input to the area 1405. User I
It is assumed that D is input and the button 1406 is clicked.

When the button 1406 is clicked, the transfer instruction means 513 of the user terminal device 101A, together with the information specifying the usage right to be transferred and the information specifying the user (transferee) to whom the usage right is transferred. The transfer processing request is sent to the usage right information management device 1 via the communication control means 1102.
03 (S1208).

When the transfer processing request is received together with the information specifying the usage right to be transferred and the information specifying the user (transferee) to whom the usage right is transferred, the transfer instruction request processing of the usage right information management device 103. The means 507 changes the contents stored in the usage right information storage means 505 (S120).
9). In other words, delete or change the usage right that is the subject of the transfer from the usage right table of the user who is the transferor,
On the other hand, the usage right targeted for the transfer is added or changed to the usage right table of the user who is the transferee. The usage right information storage unit 505 holds the changed storage content.

Next, the usage right information management device 103 notifies the user terminal device 101A of the transfer details for confirmation (S1210). In FIG. 15, the usage right information management device 103
An example of a notification screen displayed by the user terminal device 101A when a notification for confirming the transfer content is received from FIG. The window 1500 has an area 1501 for displaying the user who is the transferee, and an area 15 for displaying the usage right to be transferred.
02 and. The user refers to the information shown in these areas to confirm whether or not the correct transfer has been performed.

With reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, how the usage right information stored in the usage right information management device 103 is changed by the transfer will be described. FIG.
Shows the usage right table for the users A and B before the change due to the transfer, and FIG. 17 shows the usage right table for the users A and B after the change due to the transfer.

User A usage right table 160 before change
1 includes a usage right record 1603 of the content X to be transferred. On the other hand, the usage right table 1602 of the user B before the change does not have the usage right record of the content X to be transferred.

When step 1209 in FIG. 12 is performed, the usage right tables 1601 and 1602 are
It is changed as shown in FIG. That is, the changed usage right table 1701 of the user A includes the usage right record 1903 of the content X to be transferred, and the usage count field is “10” to “5”.
Has been changed to. On the other hand, in the changed usage right table 1702 of the user B, a usage right record 1704 of the content X to be transferred is added, and the number of times of transfer "5" is stored in the usage count field.

[Advantages of this Embodiment] The above embodiment has the following advantages. According to the present embodiment, without transferring the content data itself,
It becomes possible to transfer various contents on the Internet.
In the past, even though the content belongs to the user who purchased the content, it has been difficult to transfer the right to other users regardless of whether the content is paid or free. However, according to the present embodiment, for example, it becomes possible to easily give another user the right to use the purchased content as a present. Moreover, since the consideration for using the content has already been paid to the creators and managers of the content, it does not impair the interests of these people, and
Since the content data itself is not copied or transferred, there is no risk of copyright infringement due to an increase in unauthorized copying.

Further, according to the present embodiment, if the transfer of the usage right can be easily performed, the user can transfer the usage right to another user for a fee if it is unnecessary for the user, thereby reducing the cost of purchasing the usage right. Since the department can be collected, the number of users who purchase the right will increase, thinking that it is possible to reduce the psychological obstacle to the right purchase, even if the price of the right purchase seems a little high, if you do not like it, you can just sell it. Can be predicted.

Further, if the price at the time of sale of a certain content (usage right) is not a reasonable price for the user, it can be sufficiently predicted that the user who wants to release the right will release it at a price lower than the sale price after a while after the release. And users will be able to get content at a lower price, at the expense of time.

Further, the transfer of the usage right according to the present embodiment is fundamentally different from the conventional illegal copying, and the transferred user loses the right to use the content.
The total amount of rights on the market remains the same and does not affect the market value of any rights.

If a right to use a certain content is sold in a limited manner and no new right to use is issued in the future,
If there is strong demand in the market after the end of sale, the acquisition price of the right to use the content may be traded at a price higher than the price at the time of sale. In that case, it is quite possible that the rare content usage right itself will be the target of investment, and it can be expected that people like content usage rights collectors will emerge.

That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to form a transaction market for content usage rights without inviting illegal use or duplication of content.

[Transfer of usage right between different usage right information management devices] It is conceivable that a plurality of independent entities may sell and manage the usage right of the content. For example, each content distribution company may have a usage right issuing device 102 and a usage right information management device 103 so that each content distribution company can use its own music. Alternatively, a plurality of usage right information management devices 103 may be provided in order to distribute the load on the usage right information management device 103. In such a case, the usage right information management device 103 may be configured to operate so as to transfer the usage right even between users whose usage right information is stored in different usage right information management devices. good.

When the usage right information management device 103 does not store the usage right of the user who is the transferor of the usage right, the usage right information management device 103 stores the usage right of the user who is the transferor in another usage right information management device 103 '. Inquire whether or not. The other usage right information management device 103 ′ storing the usage right of the transferee user notifies the inquiry that the usage right of the transferee user is stored.
The usage right information management device 103 corrects the usage right of the transferee owned by the usage right information management device 103, and according to the contents of the transfer, transfers the usage right information of the transferee to the usage right information management device 103 ′ which issued the notification. Request to fix. In response to this request, the usage right information management device 103 'that issued the notification corrects the usage right information of the transferee according to the contents of the transfer. With this configuration, the usage right can be transferred between users who belong to different usage right information management devices.

[0080]

An object of the present invention is to enable transfer of rights without damaging the rights of the content holder and the content user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a distribution method of contents used in this business model.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example in which a usage right for content A is transferred from user A to user B.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which only a part of the usage right for content A is transferred from user A to user B.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example in which only a part of the usage right for content A is transferred from user A to user B.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a usage right transfer system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a usage right issuing device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a usage right information management device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of usage right information.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a content distribution device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a table in which content IDs are recorded in association with file names and path names.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a user terminal device.

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example when processing transfer of a usage right.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of input screen data.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a usage right list display screen and an input screen.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a usage right table for users A and B before receiving a change by transfer.

FIG. 17: User A after being changed by transfer
It is a figure which shows the utilization right table regarding B.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 ... User terminal device 102 ... Usage right issuing device 103 ... Usage right information management device 104 ... Storage server 105 ... Content distribution device

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Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A usage right issuing device connected to a communication network,
A usage right information management device connected to the communication network, a content distribution device connected to the communication network, and a user terminal device connectable to the communication network. In response to the usage right issuance request, the content usage right information is generated and transmitted to the usage right information management device, and the usage right information management device receives the usage right information from the usage right issuing device and stores it. Upon receiving a content transmission request from the user terminal device, based on the stored usage right information, it is determined whether or not this transmission request is valid, and when it is determined to be valid, the content distribution device is instructed to distribute the content, Upon receiving a usage right transfer request from the user terminal device, the stored usage right information is changed based on this request. The content distribution instruction is received, the content is distributed to the user terminal device in accordance with this instruction, and the user terminal device transmits a usage right issuance request to the usage right issuing device and a content distribution request to the usage right information management device. Then, the usage right transfer system receives the content distributed from the content distribution device in response to the content distribution request, and sends the usage right transfer request to the usage right information management device. 2. A usage right information storage unit for storing usage right information, and information for specifying a content to be transferred and a user to be a transferee, and based on this, usage right information recorded in the usage right information recording unit. A right-of-use information management device characterized by making the following changes. 3. The usage right information management device according to claim 2, when the usage right of the user who is the transferor of the usage right is not stored, the user who is the transferor is stored in another usage right information management device. A right-of-use information management device that inquires whether or not the right to use is stored. 4. A step of receiving information specifying a usage right to be transferred, information specifying a transferee and a transferee of the usage right, and the usage right information of the user who is the transferee is to be transferred. And change the usage right information of the user who is the transferee to add or change the usage right that was the transfer target. A method of managing the transfer of a characteristic usage right. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein if the usage right of the user who is the transferor of the usage right is not found, the usage right of the transferee user is stored in another usage right information management device. A method of managing the transfer of a usage right, further comprising the step of inquiring whether or not the usage right is transferred. 6. A program for causing a computer to function as the usage right information management device according to claim 2 or 3. 7. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 4 or 5. 8. A computer-readable program recording medium storing the program according to claim 6 or 7.