Method of and a system for distributing digital contents

Abstract

In a digital content distribution method to distribute digital contents via a network, distribution of a digital content is instructed according to a distribution schedule, the digital content is distributed according to the distribution schedule indicated, and a particular digital content is selected from the digital contents distributed and is then sold, thereby conducting the distribution of digital contents at a high speed.

1 . A digital contents distribution method to distribute digital contents via a network, comprising the steps of: 
 collecting from a plurality of stores, sales information of digital contents sold, via said stores, to customers;    calculating numbers of each of said digital contents sold via said stores during a predetermined period based on said collected sales information;    calculating a total number of said digital contents sold for each digital contents holder that licenses digital contents to said stores; and    sending to said digital contents holder a fee corresponding to the total number of said digital contents sold via said stores for each digital contents holder.    
   
   
       2 . A digital contents distribution method according to  claim 1 , wherein said collecting step comprises the steps of: 
 sending to a distribution management device a request for said sales information;    in response to said request, sending from said distribution management device said sales information collected from vending devices located in said stores,    wherein each of said vending devices is used by said customers to purchase said digital contents.    
   
   
       3 . A digital contents distribution method according to  claim 1 , wherein said sending step comprises the steps of: 
 referring to license management information to calculate said fee corresponding to the total number of said digital contents sold via said stores for each digital contents holder.    
   
   
       4 . A digital contents distribution method according to  claim 3 , wherein said license management information is copyright license management information.  
   
   
       5 . A digital contents distribution system to distribute digital content via a network, comprising: 
 a processing section for collecting from a plurality of stores, sales information of digital contents sold to customers via said stores; and    a license fee section for calculating numbers of each of said digital contents sold via said stores during a predetermined period based on said collected sales information, calculating a total number of said digital contents sold for each digital contents holder that licenses digital contents to said stores, and sending to said digital contents holder a fee corresponding to the total number of said digital contents sold via said stores for each digital contents holder.    
   
   
       6 . A digital contents distribution system according to  claim 5 , wherein said processing section conduct said collecting by sending to a distribution management device a request for said sales information, 
 wherein said distribution management device, in response to said request, sends said sales information collected from vending devices located in said stores, and    wherein each of said vending devices is used by said customers to purchase said digital contents.    
   
   
       7 . A digital contents distribution system according to  claim 5 , wherein said license fee section conducts said sending by referring to license management information to calculate said fee corresponding to the total number of said digital contents sold via said stores for each digital contents holder.  
   
   
       8 . A digital contents distribution system according to  claim 7 , wherein said license management information is copyright license management information.  
   
   
       9 . A computer readable medium storing a program for distributing digital contents via a network, said program when executed causes a computer to perform the steps of: 
 collecting from a plurality of stores, sales information of digital contents sold to customers via said stores;    calculating numbers of each of said digital contents sold via said stores during a predetermined period based on said collected sales information and calculating a total number of said digital contents sold for each digital contents holder that licenses digital contents to said stores; and    sending to said digital contents holder a fee corresponding to the total number of said digital contents sold via said stores for each digital contents holder.    
   
   
       10 . A computer readable medium according to  claim 9 , wherein said program when executing said collecting step further causes said computer to perform the steps of: 
 sending to a distribution management device a request for said sales information;    in response to said request, sending from said distribution management device said sales information collected from vending devices located in said stores,    wherein each of said vending devices is used by said customers to purchase said digital contents.    
   
   
       11 . A computer readable medium according to  claim 9 , wherein said program when executing said sending step further causes said computer to perform the steps of: 
 referring to license management information to calculate said fee corresponding to the total number of said digital contents sold via said stores for each digital contents holder.    
   
   
       12 . A computer readable medium according to  claim 11 , wherein said license management information is copyright license management information.