Method and apparatus for embedding advertisements in audio files for internet and network distribution

Abstract

A method for distribution of advertising that includes combining an audio data file that produces an advertising message when processed with a data file that produces a performance of a musical composition when processed. Alternatively the invention may be viewed as a method for distribution of music which includes providing a server connected to a computer network, permitting message data files to be provided for a fee paid by the party providing the message, purchasing rights to multimedia data files from owners of such rights and making available to end users data files comprising a message and a licensed multimedia file by a connection to the network server. Preferably the method provides a multimedia file that comprises a musical composition. An especially preferred embodiment provides a multimedia data file that is an MP3 file comprising a musical composition.

1 . A data file suitable for transmission over a computer network that comprises a first segment having data which results in the delivery of a commercial advertising message when the data file is processed and a second segment comprising data which results in the performance of a musical composition when the data file is executed. 
     
     
         2 . A data file according to  claim 1  in a wav file format. 
     
     
         3 . A data file according to  claim 1  in a compressed file format. 
     
     
         4 . A data file according to  claim 3  in an MP3 format. 
     
     
         5 . A method for distribution of advertising that comprises combining a data file that produces an advertising message when processed with a data file that produces a performance of a musical composition when processed. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein the files are combined by use of a sound editor 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein the files are combined by use of a hexadecimal editor. 
     
     
         8 . A method for distribution of music which comprises providing a server connected to a computer network, permitting message data files to be provided for a fee paid by the party providing the message, purchasing rights to multimedia data files from owners of such rights thereby obtaining licensed data files; combining the licensed data files with message data files to provide combined files and making combined message and licensed data files available to endusers by connection to the network server. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein the multimedia file comprises a musical composition. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein the multimedia data file is an MP3 file comprising a musical composition.