AU725075B3

AU725075B3 - Distribution of watermarked media files

Info

Publication number: AU725075B3
Application number: AU36387/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Matthew BENSON
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-24
Filing date: 2000-05-24
Publication date: 2000-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 2006-05-24

Description

P/00/012 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION PETTY PATENT Invention Title: DISTRIBUTION OF WATERMARKED MEDIA

FILES

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 W:UOHNIRN617367.doc 2 DISTRIBUTION OF WATERMARKED MEDIA FILES Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method and system for distributing digital media fifes such as sound recordings or video. It relates particularly but not exclusively to a method of distributing to a customer digital media files which bear a watermark indicative of the identity of the customer, thus deterring the customer from making or allowing unauthorised copying, and facilitating tracing of unauthorised copies.

Background to the Invention Technological advances over the past few decades have made it relatively inexpensive for good quality copies to be made of sound recordings, videos, computer programs and other media items. Conversely, it has become difficult for the owners of copyright in these media items to prevent unauthorised copying. This problem has been exacerbated by the ease with which digital information can be copied and distributed over the Internet.

In the case of sound recordings, it is easy for a person to copy a sound recording from a compact disc using a "ripper" program, save the recording in a compressed MP3 format, and then to make the recording available to others to copy over the Internet. Internet "sharing forums" such as Napster (www.napster.com) allow Internet users to give other users access to any music files stored on their computers. As a result, Internet users can obtain a "free" copy of almost any commercially published sound recording, and there has been an enormous proliferation of unauthorised copying of copyright sound recordings.

Numerous different techniques have been devised to deal with and prevent unauthorised copying of digital media files. In the case of digital video equipment such as digital video recorders and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) players, copy protection is built into the system, so that a video recording which includes a copy protection code cannot be copied by digital video equipment. In the case of computer software, there are numerous different copy protection techniques available. One such common system is a system which uses a hardware lock, wherein the computer software sends a periodic check message W:UOHN\SPCJCG\WatemarkedMediaFilesPetty.doc 3 to the hardware lock to check that it is present. If the hardware lock is not detected, the software ceases functioning.

Whilst it would be theoretically possible to use a hardware lock-type solution to prevent unauthorised copying of future CD sound recordings, such a solution is impractical because it would require modification of recording formats and CD players.

Another problem faced by owners of copyright in media items is that traditional distribution methods are relatively expensive when compared with the costs of producing infringing copies, which are relatively minimal. A producer of video recordings, sound recordings or computer software has the costs associated with acquiring the media on which the media item is distributed, copying the media item onto that media, organising printing and packaging, ensuring adequate quality control, physically delivering the copies to retail outlets for sale to members of the public (often via an elaborate chain of warehouses and distributors), and handling stock returns. The only cost borne by an infringer in making or enabling a virtually unlimited number of infringing copies is the time associated with copying the media item onto a computer and connecting the computer to the Internet.

Many producers of computer software, sound recordings and other digital media items have concluded that costs of distribution could be reduced by using the Internet as a distribution method, and they have made their products available for download over the Internet. In the case of sound recordings, the advantages associated with this method of distribution are not merely logistical.

Usually a CD contains a number of different sound recordings. A prospective purchaser may be interested in only one or two of the recordings, but may be required to purchase all of the recordings. This may result in the purchaser deciding not to purchase the CD at all. The use of Internet distribution enables the purchaser to acquire (and pay for) only the recordings which he or she wants, thereby increasing the number of copies of desirable sound recordings sold by the vendor.

Often a person acquiring a digital media item on the Internet is required to make a payment (perhaps by entering a credit card number) prior to receiving permission to download the item. This ensures that the vendor receives W UOHNISPECJCG\WatermarkedMediaFilesPetty.doc remuneration for the downloaded copy, but does not ensure that the purchaser will not make unauthorised copies and distribute them to others.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of distributing a digital media file including the steps of: placing the digital media file on a server; receiving an order from a customer for a copy of the digital media file via a telephone line connection; detecting the telephone number from which the customer is placing the order; modifying the digital media file so that it includes a digital watermark indicative of or including the detected telephone number; and downloading the modified digital media file to the customer or to an address specified by the customer.

A "digital media file" is a computer file which is: a sound file; a video file; an image file; a computer software file; or a computer data file.

It will be appreciated that the invention serves to deter the customer from making or allowing unauthorised copying, because the customer's telephone number identifying the customer is indelibly stamped on the digital media file.

Further, the invention facilitates tracing of unauthorised copies because it is usually relatively easy to find out who is associated with a particular telephone number.

The step of modifying the digital media file to include the digital watermark may be done in any suitable way. It may be added as an encrypted code at the start or end of the file, or it may be interspersed or repeated throughout the file.

The digital media file may be supplied to the customer free of charge; however, it is generally preferred that the customer make a payment. It is preferred that the method include the further step of securing payment for the W.%JOHSPECJCGMi~istdnion0MVV-1 -1r~dMedad.digital media file by adding a charge to the telephone account of the owner of the telephone number from which the digital media file was ordered. This can be done by making the number which the customer dials to order the digital media file a premium toll number. There may be a fixed charge such as $5 for downloading a digital media file, or a charge based on the amount of time spent downloading or connected such as $1 per minute, or a charge based on the size of the digital media file downloaded such as $1 per megabyte.

The order which is placed by the customer may be placed by using an ordinary telephone, and any selections required of the customer could be made using the DTMF signals produced by the keypads on the customer's telephone.

However, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the telephone line connection is a modem connection, and the modified .digital media file is downloaded to the customer's computer via that modem connection.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the customer may request that the digital media file be sent to an email address or other location (which may have been previously registered by the customer or may be registered during the order process), or even that the digital media file be sent to the customer using physical media such as a floppy disc in the mail.

The method may be implemented in such a way that a customer dials a particular telephone number to download a particular digital media file, and dials a different telephone number to download a different digital media file.

Alternatively, a number of different media files may be accessible to the customer through a single telephone call so that the customer, when placing the order for the digital media file, is given an option to select one or more digital media files from a number of different available digital media files. These options are preferably given by means of a selection menu which appears on the customer's computer which makes the telephone call through a modem attached to the customer's computer.

The method of the present invention can be used for compiling information in relation to customers' preferences, in a way that cannot be done using conventional distribution methods. It is preferred that the method of the invention include the further steps of keeping records of orders placed by customers and using those records to compile profiles relating to one or more of: W:UOHNSPEr-JCGU)istributionofW.le ,k.dM.di.Files.d- 6 preferences of each customer, determined by reference to the files requested from each customer's phone number; regional preferences, determined by reference to the files requested from phone numbers located in different geographical regions.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a system for distributing digital media files including: one or more servers for storing digital media files; one or more telephone lines for receiving orders for copies of digital media files from customers; caller number detection apparatus, for detecting the telephone number from which each order is placed; digital watermarking software, for adding a digital watermark indicative of or including a customer's detected telephone number to a digital media file ordered by the customer; file download software, for downloading modified digital media files to customers or to addresses specified by customers.

The digital media files may be provided to customers free of charge, or the system may arrange for billing of customers in any suitable manner. It is preferred that the system further include billing means for securing payment for the digital media file by adding a charge to the telephone account of the owner of the telephone number from which the digital media file was ordered.

The system may receive calls from customers and communicate with customers in any suitable manner. It may have recorded voice messages and DTMF tone detection apparatus to enable customers to make selections using a standard telephone handpiece. However, it is preferred that the system further include one or more modems associated with the telephone lines, for communicating with modems on customers' computers and for downloading modified digital media files to customers' computers.

It is further preferred that the system include a database for keeping records of orders placed by customers and using those records to compile profiles relating to one or more of: preferences of each customer, determined by reference to the files requested from each customer's phone number; W.JOHSPEJCG'DIributionlate ledFesd 7 regional preferences, determined by reference to the files requested from phone numbers located in different geographical regions.

Brief Description of the Drawing The invention will now be described in-greater detail by reference to the attached drawing which shows an example form of the invention. It is to be understood that the particularity of the drawing does not supersede the generality of the preceding description of the invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown an embodiment of the invention. A digital media file is placed on a server 1. A customer who wishes to order a copy of the digital media file connects to server 1 via telephone connection 3. In the embodiment illustrated, the connection is made from the customer's computer 2 via a modem 4 connected to the customer's computer 2 at one end of telephone connection 3 and a modem 5 connected to the server 1 at the other end of telephone connection 3.

As an alternative to modems 4 and 5, any other suitable communications apparatus may be used such as ISDN terminal adapters if the connection is an ISDN connection, cable modems if the connection is a cable telephone connection, and DSL equipment if the connection is a Digital Subscriber Line connection.

The telephone number of the customer is detected using call number detection apparatus 6, which may be integrated into server 1 or modem 5. For billing purposes, information concerning the call is sent to telephone company computer 7, which adds a charge for the call to the customer's telephone account. The digital media file requested by the customer is modified to include a digital watermark indicative of the customer's telephone number, and the modified digital media file is downloaded to the customer's computer 2 via modem 5, telephone connection 3, and modem 4.

In Australia, the 1900 series of telephone numbers is allocated to premium calls. Each telephone number relates to a particular service, for which W:JOHPECG\CGWjibAii-*fWmte-ededFidm a fee is charged to the caller's telephone account. The fee may be a fixed fee for the call or a time-based fee. The revenue from the call is shared between the telephone company or billing company and the service provider. This type of telephone service is suitable for use in the present invention. The digital media file may, for example, be a 4-minute sound recording. The service provider may be an independent service provider such as a retailer or distributor, and may require payment of $2.50 for each copy supplied to a customer. The telephone company may require a-payment of $0.50 for the service. Accordingly, a charge of $3 is added to the telephone account of the telephone number from which the order for the file was placed.

It will be seen that the inventive method allows the provision of a service with relatively low overheads, in which relatively low charges may be made for each digital media file ordered by a customer. Other payment methods such as credit card payment are less suitable for small charges because the administrative costs and overheads are relatively high. Further, it is relatively difficult for a person to falsify a telephone number, whereas credit card numbers are often the subject of attempted fraud.

As a further feature, a database 8 is provided to record details of requests made from particular phone numbers. This information can be used to provide targeted marketing opportunities by compiling profiles of the music or other media file preferences of individuals. Targeted advertising materials could, for example, be sent out with telephone account statements, or could appear on the customer's computer when future orders for digital media files are made by the customer. The database can also be used to collate information concerning to preferences of customers by geographical region or other characteristics.

The customer's call can be initiated by any suitable means. The customer could locate the number to call to order a file via a telephone directory entry, a print advertisement, or other such means. In the system illustrated in Figure 1, the number has been advertised on television 9. A television or radio show could feature a "top ten" count down for songs, with a different telephone number to dial in order to download each one such as 1900 xxx xxx1 for number 1, 1900 xxx xxx2 for number 2 and so on. Alternatively, there could be a single number to call for all songs, with a menu being presented to the i.%JOHNSPECJCGDisidWianofWate ritedMediaFdes.dm 9 customer upon connecting with the number, enabling the customer to select the desired song.

A variation is presented in Figure 2. In this case, the customer places the order using a standard telephone handset 10, via voice interface and calling number detecting apparatus 11 to server 1. Voice interface 11 guides the customer in selecting the appropriate digital media file, perhaps using the DTMF tone signals produced by the number keys on a standard telephone handset. If the customer is previously registered with the server 1, the digital media file ordered can be sent to any address specified by the customer, such as via the Internet 12 to an email address residing on Internet server 13, for later downloading to the customer's computer 14. As an alternative, the file could be sent by mail to the customer on a computer disk, or delivered in any other suitable way. As a further alternative, the file could be delivered to someone other than the customer, perhaps as a gift from the customer.

It will be appreciated that various other combinations of the components described in the drawings may be used. For example, the order could be placed from the customer's computer 2, but delivered to an Internet server 13 rather than directly back to the customer's computer. Further, the customer may have a digital media file player such as an MP3 player in addition to or instead of a computer, in which case the requested file could be downloaded to the digital media file player.

It will be seen that the method of the invention 1rovides a measure against piracy because the customer's identity can be ascertained from an examination of the digital media file. This acts as a deterrent against the customer copying the file for others or allowing others to copy the file. It also facilitates tracing of unauthorised copies which may appear on the Internet or elsewhere. The use of the customer's telephone number as the identifier is considered more secure than using a customer's IP address or email address because such addresses are more susceptible to spoofing or falsification.

It is to be understood that various alterations, additions and/or modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the ambit of the invention.

A future possible implementation would be to have the radio station broadcasting a song with some identifying information carried in the signal but W:UOHNSPECJCGDisirbAionotWate rkedMediaFdm d not audible. The consumer could push a "buy" button on the futuristic radio/mobile phone/MP3 player which would connect to the server 1 and download the track onto their radio/phone/MP3 player, and the phone account charged accordingly.

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Claims

1. A method of distributing a digital media file including the steps of: placing the digital media file on a server; receiving an order from a customer for a copy of the digital media file via a telephone line connection; detecting the telephone number from which the customer is placing the order; modifying the digital media file so that it includes a digital watermark indicative of or including the detected telephone number; and downloading the modified digital media file to the customer or to an address specified by the customer.

2. A method according to claim 1 including the further step of securing payment for the digital media file by adding a charge to the telephone account of the owner of the telephone number from which the digital media file was ordered.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the telephone line connection is a modem connection, and the modified digital media file is downloaded to the customer's computer via that modem connection. Dated:

4 August 2000 Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick Patent Attorneys for Matthew Benson W:UOHN SpECJCG\Wateur edMedaFles Pet yd