Method and system for distributing ringback files

A method comprising:

• a ringback file server receiving a first association request from a first party, wherein the first association request seeks to have a ringback file played out as ringback media when a caller device subsequently initiates a call to a first callee device, wherein the first callee device is used by the first party;
• in response to receiving the first association request, the ringback file server transmitting the ringback file with the first association request to the caller device, wherein the first association request instructs the caller device to play the ringback file during subsequent call initiation by the caller device to the first callee device, and wherein transmitting the ringback file with the first association request occurs before and independently of call initiation communication involving the caller device and the first callee device;
• the caller device receiving the ringback file and the first association request;
• the caller device storing the ringback file and a representation of the first association request;
• subsequent to the caller device storing the ringback file and the representation of the first association request, the caller device initiating a first communication session with the first callee device via the communication infrastructure, wherein the first communication session defines a first setup period;
• and
• the caller device playing out the ringback file during the first setup period.

A ringback file server, comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory containing:
• a ringback file;
• program instructions executable by the processor to receive, from a first party, a first association request, wherein the first association request seeks to have the ringback file played out as ringback media when the caller device subsequently initiates a call to a first callee device, and wherein the first callee device is used by the first party;
• and
• program instructions executable by the processor to respond to receiving the first association request by transmitting the ringback file with the first association request to the caller device, wherein the first association request instructs the caller device to play the ringback file during subsequent call initiation by the caller device to the first callee device, wherein transmitting the ringback file with the first association request occurs before and independently of call initiation communication involving the caller device and the first callee device.