Method, System and Computer Program Product for the Local Circulation of Digital Content

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention introduces a method, system, and software product that enable decentralized sharing and distribution of digital content (such as audio, video, images, or documents) via a network. Registered users act as distributors, forwarding downloaded content directly to others or encouraging them to download it from a portal. Importantly, special tags are embedded in the content or download links, allowing content providers or portal operators to track how and where the content spreads, even in decentralized environments.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Tracking the spread and usage of music, videos, e-books, or other digital media files shared by users outside centralized distribution channels.
• Rewarding or incentivizing users (distributors) who actively participate in spreading digital content.
• Supporting marketing campaigns by tracking viral content distribution and identifying influential users (superdistributors).
• Controlling and managing digital rights (DRM) during peer-to-peer or decentralized content sharing.
• Collecting usage analytics for both free and commercially protected digital content.
• Integrating user feedback and ratings into content distribution workflows.
• Targeting advertisements or promotions based on content circulation and user profiles.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Provides visibility into decentralized and peer-to-peer digital content distribution, which traditionally is difficult to track.
• Enables content owners to understand how their content spreads, who the key influencers are, and how much it is being used.
• Supports reward and incentive programs for content distributors, encouraging wider and more effective sharing.
• Improves digital rights management by embedding usage and distribution controls, even in user-to-user transfers.
• Enhances marketing and promotional strategies by delivering targeted communications to influential users.
• Supports both commercial and non-commercial content use cases, including user-generated content.
• Facilitates the collection of valuable user activity data and feedback without relying solely on centralized servers.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method, a system and a computer program product for the local circulation of digital content via a network. The relevant content is downloaded by a registered user of the download portal (1), who is acting as a distributor (7), and is forwarded directly to other users, representing content consumers (8, 8', 8''), or is obtained from the download portal (1) by content consumers (8, 8', 8'') when prompted by the distributor (7). For the purpose of tracking the circulation, the content itself and a link, which is possibly transmitted to a content consumer (8, 8', 8'') beforehand and which allows the content to be downloaded, is provided with a tag which allows the operator of the download portal (1) and/or the content provider (6) to track the content circulation. The tag provides the operator of the download portal (1) and/or the content provider (6), at least when the content is used by a content consumer (8, 8', 8'') for the first time, with information about this use, and said information is transmitted from a terminal which is used for the purpose of using the content to a server (2, 2') in the network, which server is determined by the tag.