Electronic music/media distribution system

A method for validating an offer for the distribution of electronic content by a distributor and retailer over a computer network, wherein the method includes computing apparatus, comprising the steps of:

• a. receiving one or more electronic distribution contracts, between the distributor and the retailer, governing the distribution of the electronic content at the reference service;
• b. receiving a candidate offer from the retailer;
• c. checking, at the reference service, the candidate offer against the one or more electronic distribution contracts upon receiving the candidate offer, wherein the checking step comprises the step of referencing terms of the one or more electronic distribution contracts in a predetermined order;
• d. sending an indication of validation to the retailer when the candidate offer is determined to be consistent with the one or more electronic contracts;
• e. dynamically updating the one or more electronic distribution contracts;
• and
• f. referencing the terms of the one or more electronic distribution contracts only after receiving a request from a consumer.

A method for distributing content over a computer network, comprising the steps of:

• providing a first electronic contract for distributing the content between a first value chain participant and a second value chain participant;
• dynamically updating the first electronic contract;
• receiving a request from the second value chain participant, from the computer of the second value chain participant, for the delivery of the content from the first value chain participant;
• comparing the request to the first electronic contract, upon receiving the request;
• validating, at a reference service, the request if the request is consistent with the first electronic contract;
• upon successful validation, delivering the content to the second value chain participant;
• and
• applying the first electronic contract to the distribution of the content only after receiving the request from the second value chain participant.

A method for distributing content over a computer network, comprising the steps of:

• providing a first electronic contract for distributing the content between a first value chain participant and a second value chain participant;
• dynamically updating the first electronic contract;
• receiving a request from the second value chain participant, from the computer of the second value chain participant, to distribute the content to a third value chain participant;
• comparing the request to the first electronic contract;
• validating, at the reference service, the request if the request is consistent with the first electronic contract;
• upon successful validation, permitting the delivery the content to the third value chain participant;
• and
• applying the first electronic contract to the distribution of the content only after receiving the request from the second value chain participant.

A method for delivering electronic content using a computer network comprising the steps of:

• sending a handle that is at least one of generated by a processor, stored on a computer of a first consumer, and stored on a server, from a first consumer to a second consumer;
• at a central location, receiving from said second consumer a request to render the electronic content identified by the handle;
• determining whether the second consumer is authorized to render the electronic content, further comprising the steps of:
• referencing an offer associated with the handle received from the second consumer;
• dynamically updating an electronic contract between a distributor and a retailer, governing the distribution of the electronic content, and that is the basis for the offer;
• verifying, at a reference service, the validity of the associated offer;
• and
• determining whether the request to render is consistent with the associated offer;
• at the second consumer, rendering the electronic content when the second consumer is authorized to use the electronic content;
• and
• applying the electronic contract to the distribution of the content only after receiving the request from the second consumer.

A method for distributing electronic content using a computer network comprising the steps of:

• creating, with a processor, a handle relating to the electronic content, wherein the handle only refers to the electronic content;
• selecting, by a user at a user computer, the handle;
• determining an offer for the selected handle at a reference service, comprising the steps of:
• referencing the offer associated with the handle;
• dynamically updating an electronic contract between a distributor and a retailer, governing the distribution of the electronic content, and that is the basis for the offer;
• and
• verifying the validity of the associated offer;
• returning the offer to the user;
• waiting for a request from the user for the electronic content associated with the offer;
• and
• applying the electronic contract to a distribution of the electronic content only after receiving the request from the user.