Techniques for facilitating acquisition and exchange of ebook and other digital content via a computer network
OwnerKatherine Laurel Radziwon, Kevin Robert Merrittinventors
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Abstract
Various aspects are described herein for facilitating acquisition, exchange and leasing of digital media products via computer networks. Various Digital Media Exchange and Licensing techniques are described herein for facilitating and enabling monetization of a leased digital media product during “idle” times of the lease term such as, for example, when the leased digital media product is no longer being accessed and/or utilized or when the digital media product is no longer needed or desired by the renter or lessor. In some embodiments, revenue generated from such monetization may be shared with the digital media product content creators and/or content providers.
Claims20
A computer implemented method for facilitating electronic commerce via a computer network, the method comprising causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions for:
- providing a first user with electronic access to a first digital media library, the first digital media library including a first set of digital media products;
- receiving a first rental request to lease or rent a first digital media product (“first DMP”) to a first user, the first DMP including a first portion of media content;
- determining a first lease term associated with the first DMP;
- initiating, in response to the first rental request, a first digital media product (DMP) lease purchase transaction for leasing the first DMP to the first user for a first rental period as defined by the first lease term;
- receiving a first lease fee payment in connection with the first DMP lease purchase transaction;
- generating access rights for enabling user access to access the first DMP and its media content during the first rental period;
- granting, in response to completing the first DMP lease purchase transaction, the first user with access rights for enabling the first user to access the first DMP and its media content during the first rental period;
- receiving a first Flip request to initiate a first Flip transaction to Flip the first DMP into a Flip Pool Library;
- if it is determined that the first rental period has not expired, initiating, in response to the first Flip request, the first Flip transaction to Flip the first DMP into the Flip Pool Library;
- rescinding, in response to completing the first Flip transaction, the first user's access rights to access the first DMP and its media content during the first rental period;
- and
- enabling, in response to completing the first Flip transaction, other users to lease the first DMP from the Flip Pool Library before an expiration of the first rental period.
A computer implemented system for facilitating electronic commerce via a computer network, the system comprising at least one processor operable to execute a plurality of instructions for:
- receiving a first rental request to lease or rent a first digital media product (“first DMP”) to a first user, the first DMP including a first portion of media content;
- determining a first lease term associated with the first DMP;
- initiating, in response to the first rental request, a first digital media product (DMP) lease purchase transaction for leasing the first DMP to the first user for a first rental period as defined by the first lease term;
- receiving a first lease fee payment in connection with the first DMP lease purchase transaction;
- generating access rights for enabling user access to access the first DMP and its media content during the first rental period;
- granting, in response to completing the first DMP lease purchase transaction, the first user with access rights for enabling the first user to access the first DMP and its media content during the first rental period;
- receiving a first Flip request to initiate a first Flip transaction to Flip the first DMP into a Flip Pool Library;
- if it is determined that the first rental period has not expired, initiating, in response to the first Flip request, the first Flip transaction to Flip the first DMP into the Flip Pool Library;
- rescinding, in response to completing the first Flip transaction, the first user's access rights to access the first DMP and its media content during the first rental period;
- and
- enabling, in response to completing the first Flip transaction, other users to lease the first DMP from the Flip Pool Library before an expiration of the first rental period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.