Digital audio and video playback with performance complement testing

Abstract

System and method for monitoring and modifying a playlist of viewable audio and / or video selections at one or more selected times to account for the effects of restrictions on the times, and number of times, a selection is viewed in an internet-based viewing system. The system implements, and monitors compliance with, the performance complement requirements and other copyright restrictions. A selection can be viewed in association with one or more selected advertisements, with limited restrictions or no restrictions on viewing times. Priority advertisements, related to the date and / or to the time of day and / or to payment amount, are given preference. A license, paid for to view a selection, may have unlimited duration or may be limited in time.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to digital audio and video playback, and more particularly to methods and apparatus that provide management of playlists for royalty bearing and non-royalty bearing viewable items and ensure compliance with the performance complement requirements. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] For convenient reference a “selection” will refer to an audio and / or video recording herein. Listening to and / or visually watching a selection is referred to collectively as “viewing” the selection. Copyright coverage of a viewable selection often requires payment of a royalty, or of a royalty-equivalent, when the selection is viewed more than a threshold number of times. A royalty-equivalent may be “paid” by viewing one or more commercial messages or advertisements at a time contemporaneous with viewing of the selection. [0003] The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (“Millennium Act”) imposes additional requirements on a user who views, or offers...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] These needs are met by the invention, which provides a system whereby a viewer or other consumer of audio and/or video selections (“user”) manages one or more “playlists”, defined as a menu of one or more program items, such as music selections, news stories, literary audio works and video works, that are viewable by the user. A connection is established between the user and a data network, such as the Internet, in which the user uses a computer equipped with a modem to interact with a network server to obtain program items and associated information.

[0006] Certain items in the viewer's playlist cannot be viewed more than a threshold number of times without violating certain performance requirements. The system provides a timer to control viewing and to ensure that a given item or related group of items is not viewed too often. One or more advertisements or other commercial messages is inserted in the program selections at selected times, or the viewer can choose commercial-free operation of the playback system.

[0007] The system allows some freedom on the part of the viewer but ensures that copyrights of the program material are not violated. The system distinguishes between a royalty bearing (“RB”) program item, on which copyright requirements are imposed, and non-royalty bearing (“NRB”) program items, on which time or viewing constraints are not normally imposed, and monitors viewing time for the RB items. By tracking each RB item viewed, the viewer will usually qualify for a reduced royalty rate. Typically, cumulative royalties paid to a licensing company, such as the American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP) or Broadcast Music Institution (BMI) are higher if a blanket license is issued and the licensee is not requir

Problems solved by technology

The Millennium Act requirements are fairly complex and involve more than merely counting the number of times a particular selection is viewed in a commercial context.

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