JP2004054440A - System for receiving application for permission to use musical piece - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the burden of the procedure of applying for the permission to use musical piece from music distribution. <P>SOLUTION: A system for receiving applications for the permission to use musical piece via a computer network comprises a use permission applicant information receiving means for receiving the input of information about applicants for the permission to use on a webpage; a musical piece use information receiving means for receiving the input of information about the use of musical piece on the webpage; and a fee calculation method determining means for determining the method of calculating fees for the use of musical piece to be applied to the applicants, based on the musical piece use information received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technology for supporting a copyright management operation for a music distribution service using a computer network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, music distribution services using a computer network represented by the Internet have been actively performed regardless of individuals or companies. Since music targeted for music distribution is a copyrighted work, the person who performs the music distribution service must, in principle, obtain a license from the copyright holder of the copyrighted work and pay a royalty according to the content of use. .
[0003]
Generally, the royalties for music-related works are not managed by authors such as composers and songwriters, music publishers, etc. It licenses copyrighted works and collects royalties, etc. on behalf of the company.
[0004]
Music distribution is performed in various modes such as commercial distribution / non-commercial distribution, download format / stream format, etc., but a copyright management organization has determined a method of calculating a usage fee according to the type of music distribution. In addition, the usage fee is calculated according to the service content of the distributor.
[0005]
For this reason, in order to determine which usage fee calculation method is to be applied, at the stage of applying for a license, the license applicant is specified in what manner the music is used. .
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, due to the diversification of music distribution services, the usage fee calculation method has been subdivided. For example, the usage fee is calculated according to the presence or absence of advertisement revenue, the type of distribution content (voice data, ringtone melody data, score data, etc.), and the like. The calculation method is different. Therefore, these various items must be considered in order to specify the method of calculating the royalty.
[0007]
For this reason, it is extremely complicated for a copyright management organization to determine which usage fee calculation method should be applied when accepting a license application.
[0008]
On the other hand, it is desirable for a license applicant to be able to apply for a license with as simple a procedure as possible.
[0009]
An object of the present invention is to reduce the load of a music license application procedure in music distribution.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To solve the above problems, according to the present invention,
A music license application receiving system for receiving a music license application via a computer network,
A license applicant information receiving means for receiving input of information on the license applicant on a web page,
On a web page, a music use mode information receiving unit that receives an input of information on a music use mode,
A music usage license application receiving system, comprising: a usage fee calculation method determining unit that determines a usage fee calculation method for use of music to be applied to the license applicant based on the received music usage mode information. Provided.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
First, an outline of a copyright management operation for music distribution using a computer network such as the Internet will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.
[0013]
Copyright management work for music distribution using a computer network can be largely divided into the following processes, as shown in this flowchart. That is, a use permission process (S101) for giving a license to a person who intends to use music on a computer network, a use report reception process (S102) for receiving a use report of music from a user who has given a license, and a use report (S103), a usage fee collection process for collecting usage fees from the user (S104), and a usage fee distribution process (S105) for distributing the collected usage fees to the right holders. is there.
[0014]
Here, the license processing (S101) related to the license application receiving system to which the present invention is applied will be described.
[0015]
The use licensing process (S101) is a process of accepting a music licensing application and granting a license to a person who intends to use music such as music distribution on a Web page. After this processing, a contract regarding the use of music is made between the user and the copyright management organization.
[0016]
The content of the license specified at the time of the license application, for example, the method of designating the music to be used, the method of calculating the usage fee for use, and the like can take various forms.
[0017]
In the present embodiment, the method of designating the music to be used is not to specify and grant permission to the music, but to give permission comprehensively to the entire repertoire of the copyright management organization. For this reason, it is necessary to report to the copyright management organization after use the music that was actually used. This is the above-described use report reception processing (S102).
[0018]
In addition, the usage fee is calculated by a pay-per-use system in which the usage fee is determined according to the number of times of use (for example, the number of downloads), a fixed rate system in which a predetermined percentage of advertisement revenue is used, and the number of times of use. Regardless of this, one of the flat-rate systems in which the usage fee is determined according to the number of songs used, etc. shall be applied. However, a minimum fee may be separately set for each. Whether the pay-as-you-go, fixed-rate or flat-rate system is applied depends on, for example, whether the song is used in a download format, a stream format, or whether the music distribution is commercial or non-commercial. , Advertising revenue, etc. Note that the download format is a distribution format in which music data is downloaded as a file when a predetermined location on a web page is clicked, and the streaming format is a click on a predetermined location on a web page or a predetermined web page is displayed. Then, the distribution format is such that music is reproduced or music data is displayed on the spot.
[0019]
The unit price per use in the case of the pay-as-you-go system, the fixed rate in the case of the fixed-rate system, and the flat-rate fee in the case of the fixed-rate system are, for example, whether the music distribution is commercial or non-commercial, or It can be determined based on whether or not an information fee is collected when using the music, whether or not there is an advertisement income. Note that the information fee is a fee collected from the recipient when the user distributes the music.
[0020]
In the present embodiment, whether the music distribution is commercial or non-commercial, whether the use form is a download form or a stream form, and in the case of a commercial It is assumed that usage fee calculation categories are determined corresponding to combinations of whether or not to collect information fees, and that usage fee calculation rules are determined for each usage fee calculation category.
[0021]
The usage fee calculation rule is defined for each service type of music distribution. Here, the service type is attached to, for example, an audio-only distribution (download / stream) service, a mobile phone ringtone melody distribution service, a lyric score information distribution (download / stream) service, and other copyrighted work (movie, electronic book, etc.). Audio distribution (download / stream) services, etc., and a usage fee calculation rule is defined for each. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a usage fee calculation rule for the audio-only distribution service (download / stream) among these service types.
[0022]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user receives a license for each service type and makes a usage report for each service type. In other words, when music is used for a plurality of service types, a license is obtained for each. The user specifies the type of musical composition to be used and applies for a license. Therefore, at the time of license, the service type and the usage fee calculation category are determined. That is, the method of calculating the fee for use is determined.
[0023]
The following describes a license application receiving system that receives a license application for music and performs processing for specifying the service type and the usage fee calculation category.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a license application receiving system to which the present invention is applied.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 1, the license application receiving system 100 includes a Web front unit 110, a license application receiving control unit 120, a licensor information database 140, and a usage fee calculation classification application rule table 160. You.
[0026]
The Web front unit 110 performs a process for exchanging electronic information with a terminal of a license applicant via a computer network. For this reason, the Web front unit 110 includes a display unit 111 that performs processing for displaying a Web page on the terminal of the license applicant, and a reception unit that performs processing for receiving information transmitted from the terminal of the license applicant. And a unit 112.
[0027]
The license application reception control unit 120 controls various processes in the license application reception system 100, for example, controls transition of a Web page provided by the Web front unit 110, and manages the received license application.
[0028]
The contractor information database 140 manages information on the user (contractor) who has received the application for the license, information on the contents of the license, and the like on the system 100.
[0029]
The usage fee calculation category application rule table 160 is a table in which rules for determining the usage fee calculation category to be applied from the content of the received license application are recorded.
[0030]
The license application receiving system 100 uses a general information processing device including a processor, a main storage device, an external storage device, a storage medium reading device such as an optical disk, a communication control device, and the like, for example, a workstation. Can be configured.
[0031]
Next, the processing operation of the license application receiving system 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0032]
This process is started when a person who receives a license application accesses a predetermined URL (Uniform Resource Locators) using a Web browser device.
[0033]
That is, upon receiving access to a predetermined URL, the license application receiving system 100 displays, for example, a license application page 500 as shown in FIG.
[0034]
As shown in the figure, the license application page 500 includes a new registration area 501 and a registrant area 502, and determines whether the accessed person is a newly registered person (S201).
[0035]
Here, the registered person identifies the registered person by inputting, for example, a login ID issued at the time of the first license application and a password for authentication.
[0036]
On the other hand, in the case of a new registration, first, a person who applies for a use classifies whether to use music for commercial purposes or music for non-commercial purposes (S202). This is because the content of the usage fee calculation rules to be applied and the like differ between a commercial-purpose distributor (mainly a company) and a non-commercial distributor (mainly an individual).
[0037]
The distinction between commercial and non-commercial is, for example, as shown in this figure, the license applicant is required to select one of “individual”, “company / sole proprietor”, “non-profit organization”, or “educational institution” Can be performed.
[0038]
As a result, in the present embodiment, when "company / sole proprietor" is selected, it is determined that the purpose is a commercial purpose, and one of "individual", "non-profit organization", and "educational institution" is selected. In such a case, it is determined that the object is a non-commercial purpose. Generally, it is difficult for a license applicant to determine whether his or her use category is for commercial or non-commercial purposes. For this reason, the corresponding section is selected from more specific items.
[0039]
Further, in the present embodiment, the contents such as information on the use applicants to be accepted in the later processing are also made to correspond to the respective use categories, so that the use applicant does not need to input unnecessary items. .
[0040]
It should be noted that, for example, a person who conducts business as an individual and who should originally select "company / individual entrepreneur" will select "individual". In some cases, an incorrect selection is made. For this reason, for example, when "individual" is selected, an individual-usage classification confirmation page 520 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, prompting the input, and confirming whether or not it corresponds to "individual". Like that.
[0041]
Similarly, when “company / sole proprietor”, “non-profit organization”, and “educational institution” are selected on the license application page 500, the corresponding confirmation pages are displayed.
[0042]
Upon completion of the commercial / non-commercial classification process (S202), a display process of the contract clause is performed (S203).
[0043]
The terms of the contract include the contents of a contract between the license applicant and the copyright management organization, which are concluded in licensing, notes, and the like. The terms of the contract can be different for commercial / non-commercial use. Furthermore, the content can be different depending on the use category of “individual”, “company / sole proprietor”, “non-profit organization”, and “educational institution”.
[0044]
When the license applicant accepts the displayed contract clause, the license application receiving system 100 performs a process of receiving information on the license applicant (hereinafter, also referred to as “contractor”) (S204). ).
[0045]
If the license applicant does not accept the displayed contract clause, no contract is made and no license is granted.
[0046]
In the process of accepting information on the contractor (S204), the license application receiving system 100 displays, for example, a contractor information registration page 540 as shown in FIG.
[0047]
The contractor information registration page 540 is provided with columns for inputting a contractor name, a URL of a provided homepage, an e-mail address, an address, a telephone number, a FAX number, and the like.
[0048]
In the present embodiment, the contents of the contractor information registration page 540 are different depending on the use category of “individual”, “company / sole proprietor”, “non-profit organization”, and “educational institution”. For example, this figure is an example of a case where “company / individual entrepreneur” is selected in the process (S201), and the entrepreneur's name is entered as the contractor's name. Is provided.
[0049]
For example, when "individual" is selected in the process (S201), a page for inputting an individual name as a contractor name is displayed.
[0050]
As described above, in the present embodiment, by providing an input field suitable for the use category, the load on the applicant at the time of use application is reduced.
[0051]
If the user has already registered and has entered the login ID and password in the process (S201), only the contract clause for confirmation is displayed (S205), and the commercial / non-commercial (S202) and the contractor information receiving process (S204) are omitted. This is because such information has already been received at the time of the first license application.
[0052]
Next, the license application receiving system 100 performs a process of receiving a service content that the contractor intends to perform (S206).
[0053]
In the service content receiving process (S206), information for determining the applicable fee calculation category is received from the contractor. Therefore, the license application receiving system 100 displays an application category input page 560 as shown in FIG.
[0054]
In the application section input page 560, for example, a section for selecting one of the Internet, a mobile phone, a facsimile service, and a telephone service is provided as a network section, and the presence / absence of information fee revenue and the presence of an advertisement fee are represented as income sections. A column for selection is provided.
[0055]
The application section input page 560 changes the items in the input fields according to the format of the usage fee calculation section. Further, the content can be different for commercial / non-commercial use. Furthermore, the content can be different depending on the use category of “individual”, “company / sole proprietor”, “non-profit organization”, and “educational institution”.
[0056]
In the service content receiving process (S206), an application details input page 580 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed in order to receive more detailed information on the service content to be performed by the contractor.
[0057]
The application details input page 580 includes columns for inputting information such as a URL of a Web page for performing a music distribution service, a distribution start date, a distribution end date, and the like.
[0058]
In the service content receiving process (S206), when the information on the service content is received, the license application receiving system 100 displays a confirmation page displaying the received content and prompts the user to confirm (S207). ). If the user wishes to make a correction, the application classification input page 560 or the like that has been input is displayed to accept the correction.
[0059]
If no correction is required, the service type related to the application of the contractor and the applicable usage fee calculation category are determined by referring to the usage fee calculation category application rule table 160.
[0060]
Then, it inquires of the license applicant whether to apply for another service type (S208). This is because the license is granted for each service type, and therefore, even if the same contractor uses music for a plurality of service types, it is necessary to obtain a license for each.
[0061]
As a result, when an application is made for another service type, the process returns to step (S206), and a service content reception process is performed.
[0062]
On the other hand, when the application for another service type is not performed, a registration acceptance process is performed (S209).
[0063]
In the registration accepting process (S209), in the case of new registration, the information on the contractor accepted in the contractor information accepting process (S204) is registered in the contractor information database 140, and further, in the service content accepting process (S206). Register the information on the received service content in association with it. If the information has already been registered, the information on the service content received in the service content receiving process (S206) is registered in association with the information on the contractor already registered in the contractor information database 140.
[0064]
Then, a message indicating that the registration has been completed is displayed (S210), and the present process ends. At this time, in the case of new registration, a login ID and a password are issued and displayed together. Further, the determined service type and the applicable fee calculation category may be displayed.
[0065]
Furthermore, for the applicable fee calculation category, the user is prompted to enter information necessary for the fee calculation, for example, an advertisement fee, an information fee, or the number of expected requests, and the fee is estimated. The amount may be presented.
[0066]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the load of a music license application procedure in music distribution.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of a copyright management operation for music distribution using the Internet.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage fee calculation rule.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a license application receiving system 100.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation of the license application receiving system 100;
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a license application page 500;
FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing an example of an individual-use classification confirmation page 520.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a contractor information registration page 540.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an application category input page 560.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an application details input page 580.
[Explanation of symbols]
100: License application receiving system 110: Web front unit 111: Display unit 112: Receiving unit 120: License application reception control unit 140: Contractor information database 160: Usage fee calculation classification application rule table 500: License application page 520 Use category confirmation page 540 Contractor information registration page 540 Contractor information registration page 560 Application category input page 580 Application details input page

Claims (8)

A music license application receiving system for receiving a music license application via a computer network,
A license applicant information receiving means for receiving input of information on the license applicant on a web page,
On a web page, a music use mode information receiving unit that receives an input of information on a music use mode,
A music usage license application receiving system comprising: a usage fee calculation method determining unit that determines a usage fee calculation method for use of music to be applied to a license applicant based on received music usage mode information. In the music use license application receiving system according to claim 1,
The music usage permission application receiving system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the usage mode of the music includes one of commercial distribution and non-commercial distribution. In the music use license application receiving system according to claim 2,
The music use mode information receiving means displays at least “individual” and “business owner” as options, and when “individual” is input, determines that the distribution is “non-commercial purpose distribution” and inputs “business owner”. A music license application receiving system for determining that the distribution is a "commercial purpose distribution" in the event that the distribution is performed. 4. The music license application receiving system according to claim 3,
The song use mode information receiving means changes a display of a web page for receiving an input of information on a use mode of a song in response to an input of “individual” or “business owner”. Application reception system. 4. The music license application receiving system according to claim 3,
When receiving the input of "individual" or "business owner", the music use mode information receiving means displays a web page for receiving input of information for confirming "individual" or "business owner". A music license application receiving system characterized by the following. In the music use license application receiving system according to claim 1,
A music use application receiving system, wherein the music use mode information receiving means displays an option and receives input of information on a music use mode. In the music use license application receiving system according to claim 1,
The song usage permission receiving system includes one of a download format and a stream format in the use mode of the song. In the music use license application receiving system according to claim 1,
The music usage permission receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the usage mode of the music includes one of an information fee income and an advertisement fee income.

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