US20090171966A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20090171966A1
Application number: US12/398,238
Authority: US
Inventors: John Heaven; Wojtek Hoch; Cliff Hunt
Original assignee: Yangaroo Inc
Current assignee: Yangaroo Inc
Priority date: 2002-07-16
Filing date: 2009-03-05
Publication date: 2009-07-02
Also published as: US20040015445A1; US7529712B2; CA2407774A1; CA2407774C

Abstract

A method and system for the secure distribution of content to authorized persons. A content provider uploads encrypted content to the system and specifies the institutions or individuals to which the content is to be provided and release conditions under which it is to be made available. Encrypted content is made available to a recipient together with a decryption code, if the identity of the recipient can be confirmed through a validation procedure and if the release conditions are met. The release conditions may include a time and date at which the release is to occur. The encrypted content has an associated sample which may be streamed to the recipient so as to permit the recipient to assess whether to download the fill encrypted content or not. In one embodiment, the validation procedure includes biometric validation of the identity of the recipient.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/431,854, filed May 8,2003 and entitled CONTENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND METHOD, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the distribution of content to remote locations over a network, and more particularly to the secure distribution of content to authorized persons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The security and timing of the release of promotional material can be of vital importance to the developers of that material. For example, in the music industry a key component of marketing is the release of a single off a new album to radio stations. The listener response to a new single provides important information upon which wider marketing and release decisions will be based. For radio stations, the release of a new single also provides them with a promotional event to boost market share. Being the first station to premiere a new single by a popular artist can provide a competitive advantage.

Accordingly, controlling the timing of the release of a single and the persons receiving it is an important aspect of a recording label promotional program. Traditionally, the distribution is done by creating a promotion-only CD containing the single track and then distributing this CD to individual radio stations by courier. This method has many drawbacks, including the number of people who handle the CD while it is in transit. In many instances, a new single has been illicitly copied or stolen, distributed to unauthorized persons and released to the public prior to the intended release date and time. Moreover, this method is difficult to time accurately, is labor-intensive and subject to disruption from weather, labor strife, transportation problems and human error. Ensuring that competitive radio stations have access to a new single simultaneously and securely is important to the trust between the record label and the radio stations.

The same difficulties can be found in other industries and circumstances, including the distribution of new movies in the film industry and the distribution of new campaigns in the advertising industry. In general, the problem is experienced in any industry in which a content provider wishes to ensure the security and simultaneous timing of a distribution of content to a plurality of recipients.

As a further example, the advertising industry experiences difficulty in obtaining appropriate approvals from designated reviewers when a new proposed advertisement is developed. At present, it is common for advertising firms to create a dub of a proposed advertising spot and courier it to the intended reviewers, with the expectation that the reviewers will review the spot and telephone to grant their approval or disapproval. In some cases, it has been necessary to play a proposed advertisement to a reviewer over the telephone in order to obtain their approval or disapproval. Accordingly, there is presently an unacceptable level of delay, cost, uncertainty and inaccuracy involved in the distribution and approval of proposed new advertisements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and system for the secure distribution of content to authorized persons. A content provider uploads encrypted content to the system and specifies the institutions or individuals to which the content is to be provided and release conditions under which it is to be made available. Decrypted content is made available to a recipient, if the identity of the recipient can be confirmed through a validation procedure and if the release conditions are met. The release conditions may include a time and date at which the release is to occur. In one embodiment, the validation procedure includes biometric validation of the identity of the recipient.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of distributing digital music to a plurality of recipients over a distributed computer network, each recipient having a recipient terminal connected to the network. The method includes registering the plurality of recipients by storing a user profile for each recipient in a distribution server. Each user profile includes user information uniquely identifying the associated recipient. Additional steps include receiving and storing, at the distribution server, a first music file delivered from a provider computer system connected to the network, and storing, at the distribution server, 1) a specific distribution list associated with the first music file and 2) at least one release condition, wherein the specific distribution list identifies one or more of the user profiles, and wherein the distribution server contains other music files, each music file having an associated distribution list and at least one associated release condition. A request for access is received from one of the recipient terminals that includes identity information. In response to that request, the identity information is matched with the user information stored in one of the user profiles to verify that the request for access is associated with a verified user profile, the distribution server is searched for distribution lists identifying the verified user profile, and information is provided to the recipient terminal regarding music files associated with distribution lists identifying the verified user profile. In response to the receipt, at the distribution sever, a request for the first music file from the recipient terminal, an evaluation is made as to whether the release condition is met, and, if the release condition is met, the recipient terminal is provided with a copy of the first music file.

In another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for distributing digital music to a plurality of recipients over a distributed computer network, each recipient having a recipient terminal connected to the network. A music provider having a provider terminal is connected to the network. The system comprises a distribution server, including a processor, connected to the network for communicating with the provider terminal and the recipient terminals. The distribution server is configured to receive a request for access from one of the recipient terminals, the request for access including identity information. A computer-readable storage device is accessible to the distribution server and stores a user profile for each recipient, music files uploaded by one or more provider terminals, a distribution list for each of the music files, and at least one release condition associated with each music file. Each user profile includes user information identifying the associated recipient. Each distribution list identifies one or more of the user profiles based on selections received from the provider terminal when uploading the associated music file. The system additionally comprises an identity verification module executable by the processor to configure the distribution server to, in response to the request for access, match the identity information with the user information stored in one of the user profiles to verify that the request for access is associated with a verified user profile, search the distribution server for distribution lists identifying the verified user profile, and provide information to the recipient terminal identifying music files associated with distribution lists identifying the verified user profile. The distribution server is configured to receive a request for on of the first music files from said one of the recipient terminals, evaluate whether the release condition is met, and, if the release condition is met, provide the appropriate recipient terminal with a copy of the first music file.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show an embodiment of the present invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a content distribution system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart outlining an embodiment of the steps for loading content into a distribution system according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart outlining an embodiment of the steps for distributing content to recipients according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 shows, in flowchart form, an embodiment of a content approval process according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Reference is first made toFIG. 1, which shows a block diagram of an embodiment of acontent distribution system10 according to the present invention. A plurality ofrecipient computer systems12 and aremote distribution server14 are mutually connected via acommunications network16, such as the Internet. Also connected to thecommunications network16 is a contentprovider computer system22. The contentprovider computer system22 provides content to theserver14 for distribution to therecipient computer systems12, as is further detailed below. In one embodiment, as described herein, the content is prerecorded digital music provided by a record label promotions director for distribution to radio stations, however it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The content is not limited to music and may include other content, such as text, audio, video, computer software, or visual media like advertising and promotions. Other content will be understood by those skilled in the art upon a review of the following description of the present invention.

The contentprovider computer system22 may be any conventional personal computer. The contentprovider computer system22 is connected to astorage medium24 containing the content intended for distribution to therecipient computer systems12. Thestorage medium24 may include ROM, RAM, floppy discs, compact discs, digital tape or any other medium on which content may be stored. The contentprovider computer system22 includes abrowser26 for accessing web pages through thecommunications network16. The contentprovider computer system22 also includes anencryption module28 for encoding, encrypting and uploading the content. It will be understood that the contentprovider computer system22 may have more or fewer components than, or alternative components to, those shown inFIG. 1 and still provide the same functionality described herein.

Theremote distribution server14 is configured to receive encrypted content from the contentprovider computer system22 and to distribute the content to individualrecipient computer systems12, subject to verification of the identity of the user of therecipient computer system12 and to the release time or date restrictions imposed by the user of the contentprovider computer system22. Theremote distribution server14 ensures that decrypted content is not provided to unauthorized individuals or provided before the release time and date.

Theremote distribution server14 includesweb pages30 to provide a graphical user interface with the contentprovider computer system22 and therecipient computer systems12. Theremote distribution server14 also includes anidentity verification module32 and a businessmodel management module34. Connected to and accessible to theremote distribution server14 is amass storage device20. Themass storage device20 includes arights profile database38 and anasset database36.

Theidentity verification module32 permits access to thecontent distribution system10 to be controlled based upon biometric verification of the identity of an individual using either arecipient computer system12 or a contentprovider computer system22. Verification of the individual's identity is accomplished by comparing the characteristics of the individual's typing cadence with a previously stored profile of the same activity collected during a registration process which involves reiterative entry of the same password or passphrase. An example of a keystroke dynamics biometric identity verification system can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,222, which has been assigned to Net Nanny Inc. of Vancouver, B.C., Canada. In one embodiment of the present invention, theidentify verification module32 compares the individual's e-mail address, user name and password as well as biometric data, to prevent unauthorized access. By limiting distribution of content to particular individuals through validating the identity of the individuals, rather than the identity of a particular computer system, the possibility of unauthorized access to the content is minimized. In the context of a radio station, only one or two individuals at a particular radio station may be authorized to access content on thesystem10.

Therights profile database38 includes a database of individual user profiles for those users that have registered to access thesystem10, either, as recipients or content providers. Eachentry50 in therights profile database38 may includeidentification information52, such as user name, e-mail address or other identifying information. Eachentry50 may also include, in this embodiment, aradio station52 with which the individual user is associated. Also included in eachuser entry50 isbiometric data56 for use by theidentity verification module32 and one ormore passwords58. Further or other information may be included in theentries50.

Theasset database36 includes the securely encrypted content provided by various content providers. Eachentry40 in the database includessong identification information42 such as the artist's name, the title of the song and other information. Also included is a pointer or addressinformation44 for accessing the encrypted digital music single in the database. Theentry40 may also include a streamingunencrypted sample46 of the music single. The sample allows a recipient to evaluate and pre-screen new upcoming singles and make programming decisions. Theentry40 also includes a release time anddate48 and adistribution list49 of recipients that will be granted access to the digital music single. In one embodiment, theentry40 includes an associated graphic (not shown), such as a photo, artist logo or album cover. Theentry40 may also include a pointer to an associated video (not shown) that may be downloaded with the digital music single or streamed to therecipient computer system12. Further or other information may be included in theentries40.

The businessmodel management module34 controls access to content of theasset database36 based upon thedistribution list49 and the user profiles in therights profile database38, and it performs billing and reporting functions.

In operation, a content provider, such as a record label promotions director, uses the contentprovider computer system22 to upload an encrypted digital music single to theremote distribution server14. Reference is made toFIG. 2, which shows aflowchart100 outlining an embodiment of the steps for loading content upon theserver14. To begin the process, the content provider uses theencryption module28 to select content from the storage medium24 (step100-1). Thestorage medium24 may be the artist's unreleased CD placed in the CD drive of the contentprovider computer system22. Theencryption module28 is then employed to compress (step100-2) and encrypt (100-3) the content. The content having been selected, compressed and encrypted, theencryption module28 causes thebrowser26 to be launched and to access theweb pages30 provided by the server14 (step100-4). Theweb pages30 to which theencryption module28 directs thebrowser26 step the content provider through the process of uploading the encrypted digital file.

To upload a track, the content provider enters identification data42 (step100-5), such as the name of the track and the artist's name. Other information may be entered, such as the length of the track or the title of an associated album. The content provider then chooses a release time and date48 (step100-6). The content provider next selects adistribution list49 of the individuals or radio stations that will be entitled to receive the single (step100-7). The encrypted content is then uploaded to theserver14 for storage on the mass storage device20 (step100-8). If there are associated graphics or video for distribution with the encrypted digital music single, then those are also uploaded to theserver14. Theserver14 assesses whether the transfer was successful (step100-9) and sends an error message (step100-10) to the contentprovider computer system22 if the upload failed. If successful, theserver14 sends a confirmation to the content provider computer system22 (step100-11). Theserver14 may also send a notification to the recipients in thedistribution list49 to alert them to existence of an upcoming single release.

FIG. 3 shows aflowchart200 outlining an embodiment of the steps for distributing content to recipients. A radio station music director, for example, may access a new single release through thecontent distribution system10 by using arecipient computer system12. The music director may employ thebrowser60 to access theweb pages30 on the server14 (step200-1). If the music director has a user profile in therights profile database38 then he or she may log on using their biometric password (step200-2). Theidentity verification module32 will verify their identity. If the music director does not have a valid user profile, then he or she will be directed through a registration process to establish a user profile (step200-3).

Once the identity of the music director has been verified, thesystem10 accesses theassets database36 and therights profile database38 and determines which singles have adistribution list49 that includes the music director or his radio station (step200-4). Thesystem10 will then display information regarding the singles that the music director is entitled to access (step200-5).

In one embodiment, the information will include singles prior to their release date. The music director may choose to listen to sample tracks (step200-6), which are then streamed unencrypted to the recipient computer system, for example in MP3 format (step200-7). These sample tracks are of insufficient length or quality to be used for radio play and, thus, pose little risk insofar as the security of the single is concerned. Thesystem10 may permit the music director to tag or select singles as “favorites” or “notables”, allowing a music director to sort through hundreds of samples and easily return to those which require further consideration or download. Such a feature may also permit the music director to save his or her preferences so as to preserve the list of tagged files.

The music director may choose to download (step200-8) any full length singles to which he or she has authorized access provided the single release time/date has been reached. If the release conditions are not met (step200-9), the music director will receive an error notification informing him or her of the date and time at which they may return to download the single. In another embodiment, the music director may be permitted to download encrypted singles prior to the release date, but will not be provided with the decryption code for decrypting the singles until the release date and time. Singles are downloaded (step200-10) in encrypted compressed WAV format and are decrypted and decompressed on therecipient computer system12 using thedecryption module62 and the decryption code provided by theserver14.

Reference is now made toFIG. 4, which shows, in flowchart form, an embodiment of acontent approval process300. In this embodiment, the content is a proposed advertisement prepared by an advertising firm. Using the system10 (FIG. 1), theprocess300 begin in step300-1 when an individual at the firm, such as a traffic manager, employs the content provider computer system22 (FIG. 1) to upload the content to the server14 (FIG. 1), as described above. In addition to uploading the content, the advertising firm specifies one or more reviewers for inclusion in the distribution list49 (FIG. 1). In step300-2, thesystem10 notifies the reviewers that they are required to review and approve or disapprove of an advertisement. Reviewers may include any number of people whose views are important in evaluating the potential of a new advertising campaign. For example, the reviewers may include members of the advertising firm including the client representative, an executive responsible, a producer or the traffic manager. The reviewers may also include individuals associated with the client, such as personnel within the client's marketing department, executives, or others. In one embodiment, thedistribution list49 is tiered, whereby the first tier of reviewers are internal advertising firm reviewers and the second tier of reviewers are external client reviewers. In this embodiment, the second tier of reviewers is not notified about the proposed advertisement and cannot access the advertisement until the first tier of reviewers have granted approval to the proposed advertisement.

When a reviewer logs onto the system10 (step300-3) using a recipient computer system12 (FIG. 1), thesystem10 verifies his or her identity using the identity verification module32 (FIG. 1) and the reviewer's personal biometric profile56 (FIG. 1). Once a reviewer has logged onto thesystem10, he or she may download the advertisement so as to review it (step300-4). The advertisement may be stored in an encrypted and encoded format, such that decryption and decoding information would also be transmitted to the reviewer provided their identity was verified by thesystem10. The advertisement might also be streamed to therecipient computer system12, instead of being downloaded in a file format.

Once the reviewer has had an opportunity to evaluate the proposed advertisement, he or she is required to register his or her approval or disapproval. Thesystem10 receives the reviewer's answer as to whether the advertisement is approved and stores it (step300-5). Thesystem10 may also permit the reviewer to submit comments or suggestions with their approval or disapproval or to make their approval subject to specified changes.

In step300-6 thesystem10 evaluates whether it has received a sufficient number of approvals according to a set of business rules established by the advertising firm. The default rule may be that every reviewer must have registered his or her approval or disapproval, however other rules may be applied. For example, it may be sufficient if the advertisement has been approved by the executive and the client representative, even though the producer has not given his or her approval.

Once a sufficient number of reviews have been obtained, thesystem10 notifies the advertising firm, the traffic manager or another designated individual of the results of the approval process300 (step300-7). In an alternative embodiment, thesystem10 notifies the firm of every reviewer's response as soon as it is received, rather than accumulating a sufficient number of responses to rule upon the advertisement. The advertising firm then reviews and evaluates the responses received and any comments or suggestions made.

If the advertisement has been approved, in accordance with whatever criteria or business rules are being applied, i.e. unanimous approval, majority approval, etc., then the advertising firm (through its traffic manager or another individual) may again access thesystem10 so as to create adistribution list49 for distributing the campaign to whatever radio stations or other media outlets are supposed to receive it. This distribution may then be made in the manner described above with reference toFIG. 3.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Certain adaptations and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A method of distributing digital music to a plurality of recipients over a distributed computer network, each recipient having a recipient terminal connected to the network, comprising:

registering the plurality of recipients by storing a user profile for each recipient in a distribution server, wherein each user profile includes user information uniquely identifying the associated recipient;

receiving and storing, at the distribution server, a first music file delivered from a provider computer system connected to the network;

storing, at the distribution server, 1) a specific distribution list associated with the first music file and 2) at least one release condition, wherein the specific distribution list identifies one or more of the user profiles, and wherein the distribution server contains other music files, each music file having an associated distribution list and at least one associated release condition;

receiving a request for access from one of the recipient terminals, the request for access including identity information;

in response to the request,

matching the identity information with the user information stored in one of the user profiles to verify the request for access is associated with a verified user profile,

searching the distribution server for distribution lists identifying the verified user profile, and

providing information to the recipient terminal regarding music files associated with distribution lists identifying the verified user profile,

receiving, at the distribution sever, a request for the first music file from the recipient terminal; and

in response to the receipt of the request,

evaluating whether the release condition is met, and

if the release condition is met, then providing the recipient terminal with a copy of the first music file.

2. The method claimed inclaim 1, wherein said user information comprises a username and password, and wherein the identity information in the request for access comprises a submitted username and submitted password, and wherein matching includes identifying the verified user profile based on the submitted username and confirming that the submitted password matches the password stored in the verified user profile.

3. The method claimed inclaim 1, wherein said identity information in the request for access comprises a unique code associated with the recipient terminal.

4. The method claimed inclaim 1, wherein said release condition includes a time and a date before which the recipient terminal cannot be provided with the copy of the first music file.

5. The method claimed inclaim 1, further including, before receiving the request for access, notifying said plurality of recipients identified in said specific distribution list of the availability of said first music file.

6. The method claimed inclaim 1, wherein said first music file comprises an encrypted music file, and wherein providing the recipient terminal with the copy includes downloading the encrypted music file to the recipient terminal and providing the recipient terminal with decryption code for decrypting the encrypted music file to produce said copy.

7. The method claimed inclaim 1, wherein said first music file comprises an encrypted music file, and wherein providing the recipient terminal with the copy includes decrypting said encrypted music file to produce said copy and downloading said copy to the recipient terminal.

8. The method claimed inclaim 7, wherein downloading includes streaming.

9. The method claimed inclaim 1, wherein the distribution list and release condition are received at the distribution server from the provider computer system.

10. A method of distributing digital music to a plurality of recipients over a distributed computer network using a distribution server connected to the network, each recipient having a recipient terminal connected to the network, wherein the distribution server includes a user profile for each recipient, and wherein each user profile includes user information identifying the associated recipient, the method comprising:

accessing the distribution server through a provider computer system connected to the network;

selecting a first music file on the provider computer system;

uploading the first music file from the provider computer system to the distribution server; and

creating, 1) a specific distribution list associated with the first music file and 2) at least one release condition for the release of the first music file, wherein the specific distribution list identifies one or more of the user profiles, and wherein the distribution server contains other music files, each music file having an associated distribution list and at least one associated release condition,

wherein, on receiving a request for access to the distribution server from one of the recipient terminals, the request for access including identity information, the distribution server is configured to match the identity information with the user information stored in one of the user profiles to verify the request for access is associated with a verified user profile, search the distribution server for distribution lists identifying the verified user profile, and provide information to the recipient terminal regarding music files associated with distribution lists identifying the verified user profile, and wherein

on receiving a request for the first music file from the recipient terminal, the distribution server is configured to evaluate whether the release condition is met and, if the release condition is met, then to provide the recipient terminal with a copy of the first music file.

11. The method claimed inclaim 10, wherein said release condition includes a time and a date before which the recipient terminal cannot be provided with the copy of the first music file.

12. The method claimed inclaim 10, wherein the creating step is performed by a content provider using the provider computer system.

13. A method of obtaining digital music over a distributed computer network, the distributed computer network having a distribution server storing a first music file, a specific distribution list associated with the first music file, and at least one release condition, wherein the specific distribution list identifies one or more user profiles stored on the distribution server, and wherein the distribution server contains other music files, each music file having an associated distribution list and at least one release condition, the method comprising:

registering with a distribution server using a recipient terminal connected to the network, the registering step including providing user information identifying a recipient, wherein, in response to the registration, the user information is stored by the distribution server in a first user profile that includes the user information;

sending a request for access to the distribution server from the recipient terminal, the request for access including identity information, wherein, in response to the request, the distribution server 1) matches the identity information with the user information stored in the first user profile to verify that the request for access is associated with a verified user profile, and 2) searches the distribution server for distribution lists identifying the verified user profile;

receiving information at the recipient terminal from the distribution server regarding music files associated with distribution lists identifying the verified user profile;

sending a request for the first music file to the distribution server from the recipient terminal, wherein, in response to receipt of the request for the first music file, the distribution server evaluates whether the release condition is met; and

if the release condition is met, then receiving a copy of the first music file at the recipient terminal from the distribution server.

14. The method claimed inclaim 13, wherein said user information comprises a username and password, and wherein the identity information in the request for access comprises a submitted username and submitted password, and wherein the distribution server is configured to verify the request for access by identifying the first user profile based on the submitted username and confirming that the submitted password matches the password stored in the first user profile.

15. The method claimed inclaim 13, wherein said identity information in the request for access comprises a unique code associated with the recipient terminal.

16. The method claimed inclaim 13, wherein said release condition includes a time and a date before which the recipient terminal cannot receive the copy of the first music file.

17. The method claimed inclaim 13, further including, before sending the request for access, receiving email notification of the availability of said first music file from the distribution server.

18. The method claimed inclaim 13, wherein said first music file comprises an encrypted music file, and wherein receiving the copy includes receiving the encrypted music file at the recipient terminal, receiving decryption code from the distribution server, and decrypting the encrypted music file using said decryption code to produce said copy at the recipient terminal.

19. The method claimed inclaim 13, wherein said first music file comprises an encrypted music file, and wherein receiving the copy includes receiving a decrypted copy of said encrypted music file at the recipient terminal.

20. The method claimed inclaim 19, wherein receiving the decrypted copy includes receiving a stream containing the decrypted copy.

21. A system for distributing digital music to a plurality of recipients over a distributed computer network, each recipient having a recipient terminal connected to the network, a music provider having a provider terminal connected to the network, the system comprising:

a distribution server, including a processor, connected to the network for communicating with the provider terminal and the recipient terminals, wherein the distribution server is configured to receive a request for access from one of the recipient terminals, the request for access including identity information;

a computer-readable storage device accessible to the distribution server and storing

a user profile for each recipient, wherein each user profile includes user information identifying the associated recipient,

music files including a first music file, uploaded by one or more provider terminals,

a distribution list for each of the music files, including a first distribution list associated with the first music file, each distribution list identifying one or more of the user profiles based on selections received from the provider terminal when uploading the associated music file;

at least one release condition associated with each music file;

an identity verification module executable by the processor to configure the distribution server to, in response to the request for access,

match the identity information with the user information stored in one of the user profiles to verify that the request for access is associated with a verified user profile,

search the distribution server for distribution lists identifying the verified user profile, and

provide information to the recipient terminal identifying music files associated with distribution lists identifying the verified user profile,

wherein the distribution server is configured to receive a request for the first music file from said one of the recipient terminals, evaluate whether the release condition is met, and, if the release condition is met, provide said one of the recipient terminals with a copy of the first music file.

22. The system claimed inclaim 21, wherein said user information comprises a username and password, and wherein the identity information in the request for access comprises a submitted username and submitted password, and wherein the user verification module configures the distribution server to identify the verified user profile based on the submitted username and to confirm that the submitted password matches the password stored in the verified user profile.

23. The system claimed inclaim 21, wherein said identity information in the request for access comprises a unique code associated with the recipient terminal.

24. The system claimed inclaim 21, wherein said release condition includes a time and a date before which the recipient terminal cannot be provided with the copy of the first music file.

25. The system claimed inclaim 21, wherein the distribution server is configured to send a notification to the plurality of recipients identified in said first distribution list regarding the availability of said first music file.

26. The system claimed inclaim 21, wherein said first music file comprises an encrypted music file, and wherein the distribution server is configured to provide said one of the recipient terminals with a copy by downloading the encrypted music file to said one of the recipient terminals and providing said one of the recipient terminals with decryption code for decrypting the encrypted music file to produce said copy.

27. The system claimed inclaim 21, wherein said first music file comprises an encrypted music file, and wherein the distribution server is configured to provide said one of the recipient terminals with a copy by decrypting said encrypted music file to produce said copy and downloading said copy to said one of the recipient terminals.

28. A method of distributing digital music to a plurality of recipients over a distributed computer network, each recipient having a recipient terminal connected to the network, comprising:

registering the plurality of recipients by storing a user profile for each recipient in a distribution server, wherein each user profile includes user information identifying the associated recipient;

receiving, from the provider computer system, and storing at the distribution server, 1) a specific distribution list associated with the first music file and 2) at least one release condition for release of the first music file, wherein the specific distribution list associates the first music file with one or more user profiles, and wherein the distribution server contains other music files, each music file having an associated distribution list;

receiving, at the distribution server, a request for access from one of the recipient terminals, the request for access including identity information;

at the distribution server, in response to the request,

searching the distribution server for distribution lists containing associations with the verified user profile, and

providing information to the recipient terminal regarding music files associated with the verified user profile,

receiving, at the distribution server, a request for the first music file from the recipient terminal;

evaluating whether the release condition is met; and

if the release condition is met, then providing the recipient terminal with a copy of the first music file from the distribution server.

29. A method of distributing digital music to a plurality of recipients over a distributed computer network, each recipient having a recipient terminal connected to the network, comprising:

receiving, at the distribution server, a plurality of music files delivered from provider computer systems connected to the network;

storing the music files in the distribution server;

storing, in the distribution server, a distribution list for each music file and a release condition for each music file, wherein each distribution list identifies at least one of the user profiles;

in response to the request,

matching the identity information with the user information stored in one of the user profiles to verify the request for access is associated with a verified user profile, and

determining which music files have a distribution list that includes the verified user profile;

receiving, at the distribution sever, a request from the recipient terminal to access one of the music files; and

in response to the receipt of the request,

determining whether the release condition is met, and