Digital asset distribution system

Abstract

Digital asset distribution systems and methods are provided. The method may include receiving a digital asset and associated permissions from each of a plurality of publishers, and hosting the digital assets received from each publisher on a digital asset server system. The method may further include receiving a request from a user to access a requested digital asset via the digital asset server system, determining whether the user is authorized to access the requested digital asset according to the permissions for the digital asset. If the user is not authorized, the method may include displaying a substitute to the user. The substitute may include a link to the digital asset server system by which the user may obtain authorization to download the digital asset.

1 . A digital asset distribution method, comprising:
 at a digital asset server system, receiving a digital asset and associated permissions from each of a plurality of publishers, where the associated permissions include specifications of one or more user groups;   hosting the digital assets received from each publisher on the digital asset server system;   at the digital asset server system, receiving a request from a user to access a requested digital asset via the digital asset server system;   determining whether the user is authorized to access the requested digital asset according to the permissions for the digital asset;   if the user is authorized to access the requested digital asset, saving the requested digital asset in a user account and displaying the requested digital asset to the user; and   if the user it not authorized to access the requested digital asset, displaying a substitute to the user, wherein the substitute includes a link to the digital asset server system by which the user may obtain authorization to download the digital asset.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, providing a link to the digital asset on the digital assert server system, which may be embedded in a third party website. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, once the user is authorized, displaying the asset to the user. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substitute includes a preview of the asset. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substitute includes file information of the asset. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substitute includes purchase statistics for the asset. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substitute includes user feedback information for the asset. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substitute includes pricing information for the asset. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substitute includes user account information. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the user account information includes user account balance. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substitute includes an indication of whether the asset meets preset selection criteria set by the user. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substitute is an image of substantially the same size as the requested digital asset. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the asset is downloaded and the substitute is overlayed over the asset to at least partially cover the asset. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the substitute is at least partially translucent. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising, once the user is authorized to view the asset, removing the substitute to reveal the asset. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the publisher is a republisher of the asset who owns the right to republish the asset. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, receiving payment from the user for access to the digital asset. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, distributing at least a portion of the payment to the publisher of the digital asset. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the permissions include pricing and redistribution rights.