Post-paid billing system and method for multimedia files

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for determining whether playback has occurred after music has been provided from an online audio source server and played in a user's player, such as an MP3 player, determining the number of times playback has occurred, and based on These determinations are charged, whereby the user is charged for the multimedia file on a post-paid basis, overcoming the problems of the traditional method of charging when the user accesses an online source server and downloads or plays the music. More particularly, a post-pay billing system and method wherein, first, a multimedia file is provided to a user, and then charges are made based on the number of times the user has played the provided multimedia file. According to the present invention, users can play and enjoy multimedia files at a lower price. Copyright owners are able to earn royalties as a result of clear and accurate fees. Since multimedia files can be freely copied / distributed, copyright infringement due to unauthorized copying can be substantially avoided.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a technology for charging multimedia files provided to users, in particular to a post-payment billing system and method, which can provide multimedia files to terminals capable of playing the provided multimedia files and receive multimedia files from terminals The number of times the multimedia file has been played, and the user will be charged a fee consistent with the number of times the multimedia file has been played. Background technique [0002] With the recent development of digital technology, users can use computers with video / audio playback functions, mobile communication terminals (such as mobile phones and PDAs), wireless LAN terminals (such as notebook computers), portable audio players (such as MP3P), portable Video player and more to enjoy movies, music and more. [0003] Representative examples in which users enjoy music through existing mobile communication terminals will be discussed below. [0004]...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Meanwhile, in this streaming type service, since music files are not downloaded, users can listen to music when accessing the central server, and music files cannot be copied and moved using players such as MP3 players and mobile communication terminals, thereby being different from downloading. Compared with the streaming service, this streaming service is more restrictive

[0011] At the same time, since these music files, movie files, etc. are distributed without authorization, copyright holders (such as record production associations, music score production associations, video production associations, singers, producers, etc.) who have rights to multimedia such as music and movies not earning due royalties

[0012] In particular, due to the reluctance of users to download MP3 files on high-priced prepaid billing systems as mentioned earlier, multimedia copyright owners cannot adequately earn royalties even if they provide legal multimedia files over wired / wireless Internet

Images