Methods and apparatus for sharing, transferring and removing previously owned digital media

Abstract

The invention provide systems and methods for management of digital media objects, comprising first and second client digital data processors (e.g., personal (or private) computers, laptops, dedicated music devices, electronic book readers, and so forth) that are in communications coupling with one or more stores (e.g, dedicated disk drives, flash drives, cloud storage, etc.). At least one digital media object (DMO) or copy thereof is stored in one or more of those stores and is accessible by at least one of the first and second client digital data processors.

1 .- 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A system for management of digital media objects, comprising:
 A. first and second client digital data processors,   B. the first and second client digital data processors being in communications coupling with one or more stores,   C. at least one of a digital media object and a copy thereof stored in one or more of the stores and accessible by at least one of the first and second client digital data processors,   D. during a first period of time, the first client digital data processor being substantially free of discouragement from accessing at least one of said digital media object and copy thereof by management logic at least one of executing on and in communications coupling with the first client digital data processor,   E. said management logic selectively discouraging the first client digital data processor from accessing at least one of said digital media object and copy thereof, the management logic performing such selective discouragement during a second period of time that is mutually exclusive of the first period of time, wherein the management logic being in communications coupling with at least the first client digital data processor during at least a second period of time,   F. during the second period of time, the second client digital data processor being substantially free of discouragement from accessing at least one of said digital media object and copy thereof by said management logic,   G. wherein the digital media object comprises content that has been converted to a downloaded format from a CD, DVD, vinyl album, magazine, game disk or other hardcopy format.   
     
     
         44 . A system according to  claim 43 , wherein the hardcopy format is sequestered following conversion of the downloaded format therefrom. 
     
     
         45 . A system according to  claim 44 , wherein ownership of the hardcopy format is transferred to an owner of the second client digital data processor during the second period of time. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein ownership of the hardcopy format is transferred to the owner of the second client digital data processor in connection with a transfer-ownership event. 
     
     
         47 . A system for management of digital media objects, comprising:
 A. first and second client digital data processors,   B. the first and second client digital data processors being in communications coupling with one or more stores,   C. at least one of a digital media object and a copy thereof stored in one or more of the stores and accessible by at least one of the first and second digital data processors,   D. during a first period of time, the first client digital data processor being substantially free of discouragement from accessing at least one of said digital media object and copy thereof by management logic at least one of executing on and in communications coupling with the first client digital data processor,   E. said management logic selectively discouraging the first client digital data processor from accessing at least one of said digital media object and copy thereof, the management logic performing such selective discouragement during a second period of time that is mutually exclusive of the first period of time, wherein the management logic being in communications coupling with at least the first client digital data processor during at least a second period of time,   F. during the second period of time, the second client digital data processor being substantially free of discouragement from accessing at least one of said digital media object and copy thereof by said management logic,   G. a server digital data processor that is in communication coupling with at least the first client digital data processor and that executes said management logic, and   H. the management logic effecting selective discouragement in response to a request by the first digital data processor to transfer ownership of the digital media object,   I. wherein the digital media object comprises content that has been converted to a downloaded format from a CD, DVD, vinyl album, magazine, game disk or other hardcopy format.   
     
     
         48 . A system according to  claim 47 , wherein the hardcopy format is sequestered following conversion of the downloaded format therefrom. 
     
     
         49 . A system according to  claim 48 , wherein ownership of the hardcopy format is transferred to an owner of the second client digital data processor during the second period of time. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein ownership of the hardcopy format is transferred to the owner of the second client digital data processor in connection with a transfer-ownership event. 
     
     
         51 . A system for management of digital media objects, comprising:
 A. a first set of one or more client digital data processors and a second set of one or more client digital data processors,   B. the first and second sets of client digital data processors being in communications coupling with one or more stores,   C. at least one of a digital media object and a copy thereof stored in one or more of the stores and accessible by at least one of the first and second digital data processors,   D. during a first period of time, the first set of client digital data processor being substantially free of discouragement from accessing at least one of said digital media object and copy thereof by management logic at least one of executing on and in communications coupling with the first set of client digital data processors,   E. said management logic selectively discouraging the first set of client digital data processors from accessing at least one of said digital media object and copy thereof, the management logic performing such selective discouragement during a second period of time that is mutually exclusive of the first period of time, wherein the management logic being in communications coupling with at least the first set of client digital data processors during at least a second period of time,   F. during the second period of time, the second set of client digital data processor being substantially free of discouragement from accessing at least one of said digital media object and copy thereof by said management logic,   G. wherein the digital media object comprises content that has been converted to a downloaded format from a CD, DVD, vinyl album, magazine, game disk or other hardcopy format.   
     
     
         52 . A system according to  claim 51 , wherein the hardcopy format is sequestered following conversion of the downloaded format therefrom. 
     
     
         53 . A system according to  claim 52 , wherein ownership of the hardcopy format is transferred to an owner of the second client digital data processor during the second period of time. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein ownership of the hardcopy format is transferred to the owner of the second client digital data processor in connection with a transfer-ownership event. 
     
     
         55 .- 87 . (canceled)