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US 2004/0107168 A1Published application
Distribution system and method of operation thereof
AssigneeWraptech Limited
InventorGary David Millner
Life of this patent
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AssigneeWraptech Limited
InventorGary David Millner
Estimating the term…
A system for administering the distribution of digitally distributable works, comprises an encapsulation facility operable to encapsulate a digitally distributable work with predetermined conditions of use to create an encapsulated work, and distribution means for distributing the encapsulated work from a transferor in possession thereof, to a transferee. The encapsulated work has a state which is alterable between an enabled state in which the digitally distributable work is unconditionally enabled for use, and a disabled state in which the digitally distributable work is disabled for use. The system also has a switching means operable to switch the state of the encapsulated work to be in the disabled state upon transfer of the digitally distributable work form the transferor to a transferee, and to be in the enabled state when the predetermined conditions of use are complied with by the transferee. An administration facility stores distribution data relating to a distribution chain of the digitally distributable work and distributes a portion of a predetermined purchase price paid by the transferee for the digitally distributable work to a number of the preceding transferors in the distribution chain.
A system for administering the distribution of digitally distributable works, comprising:
A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the distribution data includes an identity and contact details of all preceding transferors in the distribution chain of the digitally distributable work.
A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the encapsulated work is initially distributed from a distribution facility to a first transferee in the distribution chain.
A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the encapsulated work also has a trial state in which the digitally distributable work is enabled for use or a predetermined trial period.
A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the digitally distributable work is digitally encoded.
A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the distribution means is an open communication network.
A method for administering the distribution of digitally distributable works, comprising the steps of:
A system for administering the distribution of digitally distributable works, substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
A method for administering the distribution of digitally distributable works, substantially as herein described with reference to in the accompanying drawings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.