Transferring entitlements in communication networks

Abstract

A method for transferring an entitlement from a first party to a second party in a communication network. The second party, which is preferably a mobile communication connects to a mobile communication network and to a peer-to-peer network. The second party selects, over the peer-to-peer network, entitlement offered by the first party to purchase or to use a product or a service. The second party effects the entitlement, using the mobile communication terminal, to purchase or to use the product or the service.

1 . A method for transferring an entitlement from a first party to a second party, said second party being a mobile communication terminal, said method comprising:
 connecting said mobile communication terminal to a mobile communication network;   connecting said mobile communication terminal to a peer-to-peer network;   selecting an entitlement for at least one of a product and a service, said entitlement offered by said first party, and selected by said second party, over said peer-to-peer network; and   effecting said entitlement using said mobile communication terminal and at least one of said mobile communication network and said peer-to-peer network.   
     
     
         2 . A method for transferring entitlement according to  claim 1  wherein said entitlement is effected by communicating with at least one of:
 a network server; and   a network terminal.   
     
     
         3 . A method for transferring an entitlement according to  claim 1  wherein said entitlement enables said second party to communicate with a third party using terms entitled to said first party. 
     
     
         4 . A method for transferring an entitlement according to  claim 3  wherein said second party communicates with said third party via a network terminal associated with said first party. 
     
     
         5 . A method for transferring an entitlement according to  claim 3  wherein said second party communicates with said third party via a network gateway using access terms entitled to said first party. 
     
     
         6 . A method for transferring an entitlement according to  claim 1  wherein said entitlement enables said second party to acquire an entity. 
     
     
         7 . A method for transferring an entitlement according to  claim 6  wherein said entity is acquired by said second party by communicating said entity to said mobile communication terminal over at least one of said mobile communication network and said peer-to-peer network. 
     
     
         8 . A method for transferring an entitlement according to  claim 6  wherein said entity is communicated to said mobile communication terminal from a network terminal associated with said first party. 
     
     
         9 . A method for transferring an entitlement according to  claim 6  wherein said entity is communicated to said mobile communication terminal from a network server via a network terminal associated with said first party. 
     
     
         10 . A method for transferring an entitlement according to  claim 6  wherein said entity is communicated to said mobile communication terminal from a network server using access terms entitled to said first party. 
     
     
         11 . A method for transferring an entitlement according to  claim 1  herein said first party is at least one of;
 a subscriber of a mobile communication network; and   a provider of a mobile communication service.   
     
     
         12 . A computer program product, stored on one or more computer-readable media, comprising instructions operative to cause a programmable processor of a mobile communication terminal to:
 enable a user of said mobile communication terminal to connect to a peer-to-peer network;   enable a user of said mobile communication terminal to select, over said peer-to-peer network, an entitlement for at least one of a product and a service, said entitlement offered by an offering party; and   enable a user of said mobile communication terminal to effect said entitlement via at least one of a mobile communication network and said peer-to-peer network.   
     
     
         13 . A computer program product according to  claim 12  wherein said entitlement is effected by communicating with at least one of:
 a network server; and   a network terminal.   
     
     
         14 . A computer program product according to  claim 12  wherein said entitlement enables said user to communicate with a third party using terms entitled to said offering party. 
     
     
         15 . A computer program product according to  claim 14  wherein said user communicates with said third party via a network terminal associated with said offering party. 
     
     
         16 . A computer program product according to  claim 12  wherein said user communicates with said third party via a network gateway using access terms entitled to said offering party. 
     
     
         17 . A computer program product according to  claim 12  wherein said entitlement enables said user to acquire an entity. 
     
     
         18 . A computer program product according to  claim 17  wherein said entity is acquired by said user by communicating said entity to said mobile communication terminal over at least one of said mobile communication network and said peer-to-peer network. 
     
     
         19 . A computer program product according to  claim 12  wherein said entity is communicated to said mobile communication terminal from a network terminal associated with said offering party. 
     
     
         20 . A computer program product according to  claim 12  wherein said entity is communicated to said mobile communication terminal from a network server via a network terminal associated with said offering party. 
     
     
         21 . A computer program product according to  claim 12  wherein said entity is communicated to said mobile communication terminal from a network server using access terms entitled to said offering party. 
     
     
         22 . A computer program product according to  claim 12  wherein said first party is at least one of:
 a subscriber of a mobile communication network; and   a provider of a mobile communication service.