Music distribution systems

A system for distributing digitally encoded data files, wherein each digitally encoded data file belongs to one or more categories, comprising:

• an encoder integrating an ID tag into the digitally encoded data files;
• a user preference storage module storing user preference information including information identifying at least one of the categories of digitally encoded data files associated with the user;
• a first transmitter blanket transmitting a plurality of digitally encoded data files including at least one digitally encoded data file belonging to a category identified in the user preference information for a user;
• a download module automatically storing the identified digitally-encoded data file at a location of the user;
• an input receiving a user selection of the stored digitally encoded data file for purchase, the digitally encoded data file including the anti-piracy ID tag;
• and
• a second transmitter communicating the fact of the purchase to a central control system for billing the user.

A method of distributing digitally encoded data files comprising:

• classifying a plurality of digitally encoded data files as belonging to at least one of a plurality of categories;
• storing user preference information including information identifying at least one of the categories of digitally encoded data files associated with a user;
• blanket transmitting a plurality of digitally encoded data files, wherein the plurality of digitally encoded data files includes at least one digitally encoded data file belonging to a category identified in the user preference information for a user, for storage at the user's location;
• receiving from the user an indication of a purchase of the stored digitally encoded data file, the digitally encoded data file including an anti-piracy ID tag;
• and
• using the indication of purchase to bill the user for the purchase of the digitally encoded data file.

A system for distributing a digitally encoded data file, wherein the digitally encoded data file belongs to at least one of a plurality of categories, the system comprising:

• a storage module storing user preference information including information identifying at least one of the categories of digitally encoded data files associated with a user;
• a transmitter blanket transmitting a plurality of digitally encoded data files, wherein the plurality of digitally encoded data files includes at least one digitally encoded data file belonging to a category identified in the user preference information for a user, for storage at the user's location;
• a receiver receiving from the user an indication of a purchase of the stored digitally encoded data file, the digitally encoded data file including an anti-piracy ID tag;
• and
• a billing module using the indication of purchase to bill the user for the purchase of the digitally encoded data file.

A method of purchasing distributed digitally encoded data files comprising:

• identifying a user preference comprising a category, wherein the category contains information identifying at least one digitally encoded data file belonging to the category;
• receiving, via a blanket transmission, a plurality of digitally encoded data files including at least one digitally encoded data file belonging to a category identified in the user preference for the user;
• automatically storing a transmitted digitally-encoded data file at a location of the user, if the digitally encoded data file belongs to a category identified by the user;
• selecting a stored digitally encoded data file for purchase;
• and
• communicating the fact of the purchase to a central control system for billing the user.

A system for purchasing distributed digitally encoded data files comprising:

• a user interface receiving an identification of a user preference comprising a category, wherein the category contains information identifying at least one digitally encoded data file belonging to the category;
• a download module receiving, via a blanket transmission, a plurality of digitally encoded data files including at least one digitally encoded data file belonging to a category identified in the user preference for the user, and automatically storing a transmitted digitally-encoded data file at a location of the user, if the digitally encoded data file belongs to a category identified by the user;
• a first input receiving a selection of a stored digitally encoded data file for purchase;
• and
• a transmitter communicating the fact of the purchase to a central control system for billing the user.