Digital media asset identification system & method

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for identifying and transferring digital media assets within a system through the use of identification data. The identification data is applied to each transferred copy and includes data specific to the customer and digital media asset. To facilitate transfers and ease of use the digital media assets can be made DRM-free.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A digital asset management system comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory device operatively coupled to at least one of the at least one processor and having computer readable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at the least one of the at least one processor, causes the at least one of the at least one processor to:   make a first digital asset of a first type of asset available for access by a first client device that is associated with a first user based at least in part on an authorization generated for the first user, wherein the first type of asset includes a user identification associated with the first user and an asset identification, is associated with a tracking record of the system indicating an authorized transfer of the digital asset to the first client device, and is transferable by the first user from the first client device to a second client device associated with the first user without additional authorization;   detect a second digital asset of a second type of asset stored on the first client device, the second type of asset being characterized in that it is not a first type of asset and not associated with a tracking record of the system indicating an authorized transfer of the second digital asset to the first client device; and   make available to a receiving client device associated with the first user a third digital asset corresponding to the second digital asset, wherein the third digital asset is a first type of asset.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein making the first digital asset available for access by the first client device comprises providing location information of the first digital asset. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein making the first digital asset available for access by the first client device comprises transferring the first digital asset to the first client device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving client device is the same device as the first client device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the third digital asset is transferable from the first client device to a second client device associated with the first user based at least in part upon detection of the second digital asset on the first client device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein making the third digital asset available to the receiving client device is based at least in part upon detection of the second digital asset on the first client device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first digital asset includes content and at least one other portion, and the at least one other portion includes the user identification and the asset identification. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein making available to a receiving client device associated with the first user a third digital asset corresponding to the second digital asset is in accordance with at least one distribution rule provided by a rights holder. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one distribution rule is not static. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed by at the least one of the at least one processor, further cause the at least one of the at least one processor to require receipt of an acceptance of terms of use from the user before making available the third digital asset. 
     
     
         11 . A method for managing digital assets, the method comprising:
 making a first digital asset of a first type of asset available for access by a first client device that is associated with a first user based at least in part on an authorization generated for the first user,   wherein the first type of asset includes a user identification associated with the first user and an asset identification, is associated with a tracking record of the system indicating an authorized transfer of the digital asset to the first client device, and is transferable by the first user from the first client device to a second client device associated with the first user without additional authorization;   detecting a second digital asset of a second type of asset stored on the first client device, the second type of asset being characterized in that it is not a first type of asset and not associated with a tracking record of the system indicating an authorized transfer of the second digital asset to the first client device; and   making available to a receiving client device associated with the first user a third digital asset corresponding to the second digital asset, wherein the third digital asset is a first type of asset.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the making a first digital asset of a first type of asset available for access by a first client device comprises providing location information of the first digital asset. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the making a first digital asset of a first type of asset available for access by a first client device comprises transferring the first digital asset to the first client device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the receiving client device is the same device as the first client device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the third digital asset is transferable from the first client device to a second client device associated with the first user based at least in part upon detection of the second digital asset on the first client device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the making available to a receiving client device associated with the first user a third digital asset corresponding to the second digital asset is based at least in part upon detection of the second digital asset on the first client device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first digital asset includes content and at least one other portion, and the at least one other portion includes the user identification and the asset identification. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the making available to a receiving client device associated with the first user a third digital asset corresponding to the second digital asset is in accordance with at least one distribution rule provided by a rights holder. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one distribution rule is not static. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising requiring receipt of an acceptance of terms of use from the user prior to making available the third digital asset. 
     
     
         21 . At least one non-transitory computer readable media having computer readable instructions recorded thereon, which when executed by at least one processor cause the at least one processor to:
 make a first digital asset of a first type of asset available for access by a first client device that is associated with a first user based at least in part on an authorization generated for the first user,   wherein the first type of asset includes a user identification associated with the first user and an asset identification, is associated with a tracking record of the system indicating an authorized transfer of the digital asset to the first client device, and is transferable by the first user from the first client device to a second client device associated with the first user without additional authorization;   detect a second digital asset of a second type of asset stored on the first client device, the second type of asset being characterized in that it is not a first type of asset and not associated with a tracking record of the system indicating an authorized transfer of the second digital asset to the first client device; and   make available to a receiving client device associated with the first user a third digital asset corresponding to the second digital asset, wherein the third digital asset is of a first type of asset.   
     
     
         22 . The media of  claim 21 , wherein making a first digital asset of a first type of asset available for access by a first client device comprises providing location information of the first digital asset. 
     
     
         23 . The media of  claim 21 , wherein making a first digital asset of a first type of asset available for access by a first client device comprises transferring the first digital asset to the first client device. 
     
     
         24 . The media of  claim 21 , wherein receiving client device is the same device as the first client device. 
     
     
         25 . The media of  claim 21 , wherein the third digital asset is transferable from the first client device to a second client device associated with the first user based at least in part upon detection of the second digital asset on the first client device. 
     
     
         26 . The media of  claim 21 , wherein making available to a receiving client device associated with the first user a third digital asset corresponding to the second digital asset is based at least in part upon detection of the second digital asset on the first client device. 
     
     
         27 . The media of  claim 21 , wherein the first digital asset includes content and at least one other portion, and the at least one other portion includes the user identification and the asset identification. 
     
     
         28 . The media of  claim 21 , wherein making available to a receiving client device associated with the first user a third digital asset corresponding to the second digital asset is in accordance with at least one distribution rule provided by a rights holder. 
     
     
         29 . The media of  claim 28 , wherein the at least one distribution rule is not static. 
     
     
         30 . The media of  claim 21 , wherein the method further comprises requiring receipt of an acceptance of terms of use from the user prior to making available the third digital asset.