Method for performing electronic redistribution of digital content with fee assessment and proceeds distribution capability

Abstract

A digital content provider, representing an author, provides copyright-protected digital content data and a metadata file appended to it for the electronic distribution of the digital content over a network. The electronic distribution metadata describes various data about the digital content such as the title, the author, the content provider, the royalty, and the redistribution parameters. A primary content receiver receiving the digital content and the metadata, generates and transmits a notice of completion based on the metadata parameters. Upon receipt, an electronic distribution management system within a service provider (xSP) provides fee assessment and proceeds distribution services. Should the primary receiver transfer the content to a secondary receiver, the electronic distribution management system will equitably distribute the fees amongst the parties to the transaction when the notice of completion is received, thereby rewarding the owner of the copyright as determined by the redistribution parameters within the metadata.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.