Method and apparatus for offering digital content for sale over a communications network
US9141980B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 16, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q30/0641
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Content in digital form like pictures, music files, videos, software etc. from a plurality of content providers (110) is sold to a plurality of users (130) over a communication network like the internet. The content provider submits to a service provider (100) information about the content to be sold and the service provider provides controlled user access to the content for sale under the conditions defined by the information submitted by the content provider. Purchase data about sold items are stored and the user authentification and payment process for all content providers is carried out centrally through a payment system (120) thus offering low transaction costs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.