WO2002041204A2

WO2002041204A2 - Improvements relating to digital data distribution

Info

Publication number: WO2002041204A2
Application number: PCT/GB2001/005110
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Shaw; Derek Felstead
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-11-20
Filing date: 2001-11-20
Publication date: 2002-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2003-05-20
Also published as: AU2002223838A1; WO2002041204A3; GB0028274D0

Abstract

A method of and a system for providing a content buyer with Audio Visual (AV) data for use in a web site is described. The method comprises: receiving an on-line request specifying AV data desired by the content buyer; and matching the requested AV data with stored descriptive details in a catalogue of accessible AV data but which is stored at one or more remote content owner location. The method further comprises transmitting a broker request to at least one of the one or more content owner locations that has AV data matching that specified in the request; and on payment forwarding the specified AV data, received from a corresponding content owner location, to the content buyer for use in their web site.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO DIGITAL DATA DISTRIBUTION

The present invention concerns improvements relating to digital data distribution and provides, more specifically though not exclusively, an online content brokering system and a method of brokering content online through which digital audio visual (AV) content can be acquired from a plurality of digital content owners for use in enhancing a content buyer's web site.

A global market is now accessible to most businesses through the Internet, be they rich multi-national corporations or start-up ventures operating from a spare room. However, mere presence on the Internet by means of a Web site does not necessarily translate into sales.

The commercial dynamics for online shopping are radically different from those traditionally understood from the high street. For example, shops on the high street are able to exercise a high level of control over how they are accessed. What is seen before, during and after entering a shop will often have been the subject of careful consideration, particularly in the case of a large department store. Shoppers usually have to pass many other goods before finding those in which they are specifically interested. Visual stimulation inside the store is important as it can entice the shopper into making additional purchases, thereby increasing revenue.

In contrast, Web sites have far less control over their visitors. Web sites are generally entered after being located for a user by an Internet search engine. Entry need not take place through the Web site's home page: a user can be taken directly to a page that is deep within the site. Unless a user is quickly engaged by a Web page, they are likely to exit the site and move on to the next 'hit' identified by the search engine. Even if a user arrives at a Web site directly, by directing their Internet browser to the relevant URL address, they are unlikely to return if the site disappoints them in any way. Various techniques can be employed to capture the attention of Web site visitors. Designers of Web sites refer to this as making Web pages 'sticky', that is interesting enough for a visitor to explore further pages hosted by the site and to return in due course. Strong visual imagery is key to achieving this objective, but as many computers are now enabled for sound, audio content is also being increasingly used.

Designers are likely to employ so-called 'clip art' illustrations when incorporating visual images into Web pages. These illustrations can be obtained online from either public domain or proprietary clip art collections. They are provided in a variety of document formats, such that they may be easily 'clipped' into place. A collection may house several different types of image, from simple icons to animated cartoons, digital photographs or video clips, some of which may be accompanied by sound. However, the range and quality of material available in such collections is often limited. The proprietor of a collection must either produce the collection content in-house or else secure rights to use content which has been produced by others. Indeed, designers may decide against using certain clips if they have any doubt that rights to its use have been secured.

A vast catalogue of high-quality digital content already exists, namely that produced by music, television and film studios, which could be safely distributed for use on the Internet. However, at present it is difficult and hugely expensive to acquire rights to this content, with lengthy negotiations and teams of legal personnel often being required. Also owners of high-quality digital content are understandably reluctant to release their material onto the Internet because of piracy fears.

Nevertheless, web site visitors will increasingly expect to be presented with content which is as sophisticated as that experienced from television and cinema screens. Car manufacturers have been among the first to commission short 'advertainments' specifically for online viewing, hiring well-known film directors to make commercials with entertaining plots in which their latest car model features heavily. However, the cost of commissioning high-quality content is prohibitively expensive and beyond the means of most companies with an Internet presence.

Recently there has been recognition by some that there is a need to provide an online library of video clips and images which can be searched and items from it selected for use in web sites. This proposal is based on a model of collecting as much image and video data as possible from content owners, storing this centrally at a single site which the content buyer can visit and select what they want to use in their web site. The selected image or video data is then sent to the content buyer after payment of the appropriate remuneration. This proposal still does not overcome the problems of addressing content owners' fears of releasing their library of AV data onto the Internet. Due to this security concern getting content owners to sign up to such a proposal would be difficult and would require persuasion that security at the central library web site was at least as secure as that of the content owners own systems. The security issue would be internal as well as external as many content owners would be storing content in the same library as other competing content owners.

It is desired to overcome or to substantially reduce some of the abovementioned problems. More specifically, it is desired to provide an online content brokering service through which high quality digital content can be acquired from a plurality of digital content owners in a form that is resistant to piracy.

The present invention resides in the appreciation that the current direction being sought as a way of content broking on the Internet is non-optimal and has limitations that make . this solution not readily scaleable. The present inventor considers that rather than centralising all of the content at a single content provision location for the selection and distribution in accordance with the suggested proposals in the field of content provision, it is far more advantageous to do exactly the opposite, namely to use a distributed content storage model with only a centralised request and supply handling function. The present inventor believes that by providing a secure online content brokering platform to connect digital content owners and digital content buyers, rights to use a greater volume of high-quality digital content will be made available because of the greater security of the system. In this way, it is anticipated that many more excerpts from films, music videos, songs, books or famous artworks which are available in digital format may be used to increase the sophistication of Web sites, thereby increasing their revenue earning potential.

More specifically, according to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a content broking system for providing a content buyer with Audio Visual (AV) data for use in a web site, the system comprising: means for receiving an on-line request specifying AV data desired by the content buyer; matching engine arranged to match the requested AV data with stored descriptive details of a range of AV data accessible to the system but stored at one or more remote content owner locations; means for transmitting a broker request to at least one of the one or more content owner locations that has AV data matching that specified in the request; and means for forwarding the specified AV data, received from a corresponding content owner location, to the content buyer.

There are several major benefits to this approach. Firstly, content owners are becoming more and more open to online digital theft of their content and as such they are increasing security around their online digital works. The present invention enables the content owners to retain their library of content within their secure storage facility and when a specific request for content is received to decide whether to respond by supply of the content. Not only is a content owner's library never stored outside the security of the content owner's system, but content to be released is secure for longer, namely until it is released in response to an approved request. The risk that the content owner is faced with using the present invention is limited to that of losing the specific content, such as a video clip, which they send to the content broking system. Whilst no system will ever be foolproof, this solution is a far more secure method than the content owner providing their entire content library to a content broker and relying on that content broker's security. Secondly, the present invention leaves each content owner to manage their own library of content and as such, the contents of that library will always be up-to-date. Therefore the data management burden of the centralised system is not a problem with the present invention. Furthermore, any sophisticated searching facilities that may be present in the content owner's data library can be utilised without the content broker having to recreate these at a central site.

Thirdly, the scalability of the present invention far exceeds that of the prior art centralised content storage solution. This is because adding more content owners entails only adding their catalogue of content to the broking site rather than storing all of their content and integrating it into searching facilities at the site. Also making new content available from an registered content owner merely requires updating their catalogue rather than adding the new data to a central database of the central web site. The problems associated with limitations of storage space are obviated by the present invention. Also updating the latest content additions is only a matter of updating the content owner's catalogue rather than the content itself.

Finally, it is far easier to sign up different content owners to a scheme where the content owners actually hold onto their libraries of content because fears that their content will be stored at the same location as their competitors is likely to be an obstacle to them agreeing to linking up to the system.

The system may further comprise a watermarking engine arranged to insert a watermark into the AN data to be used in the website prior to forwarding it to the content owner for use. This advantageously enables AV data which has been sold to a content buyer for a specific use to be identified which in turn assists in monitoring correct usage of the content. This is a further security measure that enables content owners to have more confidence in their AV data being distributed over the Internet for example. More particularly, the watermarking engine may be arranged to include content buyer web site identification information in the watermark such that any image containing a watermark can always be linked back to who bought the AV data originally. Similarly, the watermarking engine may be arranged to include content owner identification information in the watermark such that any image containing a watermark can always be linked back to its source. The watermarking engine may also be arranged to include content buyer specified use of the AV data in the watermark. This advantageously provides the data for an immediate verification of the correct use of the AV data once it has been found in a search and for any subsequent verification procedure which may be required.

The system may further comprise means for inserting a time expiry executable in the AV data to be used in the website prior to forwarding it to the content owner for use, the executable being arranged to allow the AV data to be used by the content buyer for a given period of time. The advantage of using a time expiry executable is that this gives greater control over the use of the AV data. The increased security is due to the fact that once AV data is bought it cannot be used indefinitely. Rather, requiring regular authorisation for use of the AV data enables the content owner to regularly validate that the content buyer is in fact still using the AV data in the way stated when the data was originally sold for a specific use to him. If the content buyer's circumstances change then, by not resetting the time expiry executable, the AV data can be prevented from being used by the content buyer.

Preferably, the time expiry executable is arranged to determine the current time from time broadcasts over the Internet and to compare this with a stored expiry time for the AV data. This provides a simple and robust way of the time expiry executable determining the current time for the comparison which does not depend on the less secure way of relying on timing available at the content buyer's computer.

Preferably the time expiry executable is arranged to replace the AV data with a content owner identifier when it has determined that the current AV data has expired. This advantageously prevents any damage to the content buyer's web site and informs any of the content buyer's customers where the AV data originated from such that they are aware that the content buyer no longer owns that content. The system may further comprise an audit means arranged to audit the use of the AV data supplied to the content buyer, the audit means being arranged to compare a specified use declared by the content buyer prior to purchase with an actual use to which the AV data is being put. Again this is key security feature of the present invention in that it enables the content owner via the system to ensure correct use of their AV data. The fact that the system can do this automatically means that the auditing burden is advantageously taken away from the content owners.

Preferably, the audit means comprises Web robots arranged to trawl web sites on the Internet looking for AV data that has been provided by the system for use by a specific content buyer. This feature addresses the concern that AV data given to one content buyer will not be sold on again to another content buyer. This is a very difficult act to prevent but if detected some action can be taken. The use of Web robots (so called 'Web bots') to trawl the Internet looking for misuse of information is a cost efficient way of monitoring usage of the AV data. Preferably, the Web robots are arranged to retrieve the watermark and compare this with information relating to the use of the AV content data.

The present invention also extends to a method of providing a content buyer with Audio Visual (AV) data for use in a web site, the method comprising: receiving an online request specifying AV data desired by the content buyer; matching the requested AV data with stored descriptive details of a range of AV data accessible to the system but stored at one or more remote content owner locations; transmitting a broker request to at least one of the one or more content owner locations that has AV data matching that specified in the request; and forwarding the specified AV data, received from a corresponding content owner location, to the content buyer.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a content broking web portal for supplying digital content data to a content buyer from at least one content owner, the portal comprising: processing means arranged to compare digital content data request details with items in a stored catalogue of digital content data available to the portal, the digital content data being stored at one or more different remote content owners; generating means arranged to generate broker requests for at least some of the content owners having digital content data matched to that specified in the request; and forwarding means arranged to forward desired digital content data received from the content owners to the content buyer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A method and apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention for online digital content brokering will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a communications system for brokering digital content across the Internet, according to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a positional flow diagram showing the steps, and where they occur in the communications system of Figure 1, involved in obtaining digital content in response to a request from a buyer of digital content;

Figure 3 is a positional flow diagram showing the steps, and where they occur in the communications system of Figure 1, involved when the content buyer purchases digital content as obtained in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a content brokering system as featured in the communications system of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 5 is a flow diagram showing the processing steps performed by Web robots which are periodically engaged by the content brokering system of Figure 4 after a sale of digital content. Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Present Invention

With reference to Figure 1, a communications system 10 for implementing a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is now described. The communications system 10 facilitates the brokering of digital content across a wide area communications network such as the Internet 12. Digital content can either be sold in its entirety or else a copy can be provided along with rights to use the digital content. In what follows, it is assumed that a content buyer wishes to purchase a copy of digital content for authorised use on his or her Web site.

The parties involved in a digital content brokering transaction comprise a digital content buyer, a digital content broker and a plurality of digital content owners. Each party provides a processing sub-system of the communications system 10, with the Internet 12 acting as a central connecting hub. A buyer request for digital content is generated in a content buyer processing sub-system 14 and is forwarded, via the Internet 12, to a content brokering processing sub-system 16. The content brokering processing sub-system 16 processes the buyer request and identifies a plurality of content owners who, according to its profile records, may possess content as specified by the content buyer. Broker requests are compiled for a number of the identified content owners and are sent, across the Internet 12, to appropriate content owner processing sub-systems 18 (of which only three are shown in Figure 1) of the communications system 10.

The content buyer processing sub-system 14 of the communications system 10 is comprised of a content buyer server 20 which hosts a Web site 22, for which the content buyer wishes to acquire digital content, and a browser 24, which enables the content buyer to view Web pages. In the content brokering processing sub-system 16, an automated content brokering platform is provided by a content brokering server 26 hosting a content brokering Web site 28 which operates a content brokering system 30. The configuration of the content owner processing sub-systems 18 may vary and this is exemplified in Figure 1, which shows three different types of content owner processing systems. In the present embodiment, digital content resides within the processing system of its owner until such time as it is to be offered for sale by the content brokering Web site 28 in response to a request for content. Each of the content owner processing sub-systems 18 connects to the Internet 12 by means of a server, but storage and access of data within each processing sub-system is handled in a variety of ways. Digital content belonging to a first content owner is housed in a content data store 32. A search engine 34, hosted by a server 36, is used to locate digital content within the data store 32, but retrieval of the data may be automated or manual. In contrast, the processing sub-system 18 of a second content owner is fully automated and is comprised of a content database 38 and a database management system 40 which are hosted by a server 42. Data within the content database 38 is organised in accordance with a particular data model, such that it may be retrieved by the database management system 40 in accordance with structured data queries. The third content owner processing sub-system 18 shown in Figure 1 is comprised simply of a server 44 and a content data store 46, such that data belonging to the third content owner may be retrievable only by manual means.

The digital content brokering process as implemented by the communications system 10 of Figure 1 has four key phases: (1) initial processing of a buyer request for digital content; (2) obtaining digital content as per the buyer request, possibly several examples thereof, and providing it to the content buyer in a low-resolution format for consideration prior to sale; (3) sale of digital content selected by the content buyer, whereby the selected digital content is provided to the content buyer in a high- resolution format when a purchase agreement is made; and (4) after sales auditing, employing so-called "Web robots" to identify any unauthorised changes to or copies of the sold digital content.

In what follows, the first two phases of the digital content brokering process will be briefly described with reference to Figure 2, whilst a summary of the third phase will be given with reference to Figure 3. A detailed description of the content brokering system 30, as located on the content brokering Web site 28, will follow thereafter with reference to Figure 4. All four phases of the digital content brokering process will then be described in detail, with the fourth 'auditing' phase being described with reference to the flow diagram in Figure 5. These phases will be illustrated by means of an example where the content buyer buys a digital video clip for use on his or her Web site 22. However, it is to be appreciated that the content brokering process is readily applicable to the sale of any type of digital content.

The first two phases of the digital content brokering process, wherein the content buyer sends a buyer request to the content brokering Web site 28 specifying the type of video clip they require and subsequently receives a range of low-resolution video clip samples from which to choose, are summarised by a sample providing process 60 shown in Figure 2. The key processing steps of the sample providing process 60 are shown as occurring in each of the content buyer, content brokering and content owner processing sub-systems 14, 16, 18 of the communications system 10.

The content buyer begins by viewing the content brokering Web site 28 through their browser 24 and creating a buyer request 61, as indicated at step 62 of the sample providing process 60. The buyer request 61, which is typically an online form which has been completed by a buyer, is then transmitted at step 63 from the content buyer processing sub-system 14 to the content brokering Web site 28 via the Internet 12. When the buyer request 61 is received at step 64 by the content brokering processing sub-system 16, it undergoes some initial processing to determine whether it can be progressed and this is explained in detail later.

The second phase of the digital content brokering process begins by identifying content owners who possess video clips matching the criteria specified in the buyer request. The contents of the buyer request 61 are processed at step 66 by an algorithm 61 of the sample providing process 60 to determine whether there are any matches with the content available from the different content owners. The algorithm 67 generates at step 68 one or more matched requests (broker requests) 69, one for each corresponding matched result from the algorithm 67. These broker requests 69, specify the type of video clips that are required and are then sent at step 70 from the content brokering processing sub-system 16 to various content owner processing sub-systems 18 identified at step 68 by the algorithm 67. The content owner processing sub-systems 18 each process at step 71 the requests 69 to determine whether they wish to supply the content and what content to supply. Each responds at step 72 by either returning an appropriate digital video clip or indication that no clip is to be provided. These high- resolution images 73 are received by the content brokering processing sub-system 16 at step 74 and are stored in their high-resolution form, but a low-resolution version 75 of each clip is also created at step 76. The low-resolution images 75 are then transmitted to the content buyer processing sub-system 14 at step 77 in response to the buyer request 61 generated at step 62, thereby concluding the sample providing process 60.

The next phase of the digital content brokering process is summarised by a sale process 90 which is shown in Figure 3. Again, the key steps are shown as occurring in each of the content buyer, content brokering and content owner processing sub-systems 14, 16, 18 of the communications system 10. After receiving a response to their buyer request 61, the content buyer can view the different low-resolution video clips to help them decide which one is most appropriate for their Web site 22 and needs. Once a selection is made at step 92, the content buyer sends at step 93 an on-line agreement to the content brokering processing sub-system 16, specifying the video clip they would like to buy and providing payment details or authorisation for payment to be taken. The content brokering processing sub-system 16 takes payment at step 94 for the selected video clip. It then proceeds, at step 95, to retrieve the high-resolution version 73 of the chosen video clip and modify it for security purposes (this processing is described later), before transmitting it at step 96 to the content buyer processing subsystem 14.

A seven day approval period is then extended to the content buyer, such that payment is not immediately forwarded to the owner of the selected video clip. Payment is forwarded at step 97 to the appropriate content owner processing sub-system 18 when this period expires, subject to the content buyer not reneging on the purchase agreement, and is received at step 98, thereby concluding the sale process 90. However, if the content buyer changes their mind within seven days and communicates •5. this to the content broker, then payment is returned at step 99.

Referring to Figure 4, the content brokering system 30 as hosted by the content brokering Web site 28 is now described in detail. All communications to and from the content brokering system 30 pass through a communications module 110, which 0 comprises a protective firewall 112, a content buyer communications module 114 and a content owner communications module 116. Processing within the content brokering system 30 is controlled by a central brokering processing engine 118, which receives communications from the communications module 110 and liases with the other components of the content brokering system 30 to produce an appropriate 5 response, which is then transmitted back through the communications module 110. The content brokering system 30 has three different data stores, namely a content buyer profile database 120, a content owner profile database 122 and a temporary data store 124. These three data stores are accessed by the processing modules of the content brokering system 30. The processing modules can be grouped in accordance 0 with whichever phase of the digital content brokering process that their processing relates to and this is highlighted in Figure 4 by the use of appropriate shading.

The processing modules for the first phase of the digital content brokering process, which is concerned with initial processing of a buyer request 61, comprise a filtering 5 module 126 that screens out unsuitable buyer requests 61, and a price quotation module 128 which provides an estimate of the cost of obtaining the requested digital content. In handling the second phase of the digital content brokering process, whereby digital content complying with the buyer request 61 is obtained from a number of content owners and low-resolution samples 75 are provided to the content buyer, the 0 brokering processing engine 118 refers to a formatting module 130 and a low- resolution module 132. The formatting module 130 is used to create broker requests 69 that are compatible with whichever content owner processing sub-system 18 they are destined for.

In the third phase, when a purchase agreement is received from the content buyer, the brokering processing engine 118 calls a payment module 134 to process payment for the digital content selected by the content buyer. It also calls a high-resolution module 136, which contains a watermarking module 138 and an expiry module 140. Finally, in handling the post-sale auditing processing which is performed in the fourth phase, the brokering processing engine 118 refers to an audit module 142.

The content buyer profile database 120 and the content owner profile database 122 are populated prior to execution of the digital content brokering process as follows. When digital content owners sign up as parties to the content brokering Web site 28, they are asked to provide details of the digital content which is within their back catalogue (rather than the digital content itself). They are prompted, via the content brokering Web site 28, to provide these details in a particular format which can be readily uploaded to the content owner profile database 122. So a film studio, for example, providing famous film clips may be asked via a graphical user interface to state for each clip the title of film from which the clip is taken, the category of the film clip (e.g. comedy, drama, science fiction etc.), the length of the film clip and the price at which the film clip should be sold. Hence, the content owner profile database 122 contains a summary (catalogue) of the digital content which is available for sale from each content owner. The content owner must also provide the URL address of their server so that broker requests may be sent to their processing systems in due course.

Content buyer profiles which are stored in the content buyer profile database 120 are determined whenever a content buyer first logs on to the content brokering Web site 28 and registers as a new user of the digital content brokering service provided therein. The new content buyer is asked a series of detailed questions, such as their company name and contact details, what category their business falls under and their business demographics (e.g. number of employees and turnover). If the business already has an operational Web site, then they are also asked to provide statistics regarding its use (e.g. number of unique visitors recorded each month). It is also preferred that payment details, such as a business credit account, are provided at this stage. Having successfully registered to use the content brokering service which is provided by the content brokering Web site 28, the content buyer is then issued with a username and password so that they may subsequently update their profile details.

In addition to providing a profile of their business on registration, a registered content buyer must complete a buyer request specifying details of content required whenever they visit the content brokering Web site 28 to search for digital content to buy. The content buyer will be presented with a series of graphical user interfaces when generating their buyer request. Returning to the example where a digital video clip is required, the content buyer will be asked to specify whether colour footage is preferred to black and white, the duration of clip required, the nature of the content (e.g. travel, education,, comedy etc.) and the type of content (e.g. slapstick, stand up in the case of comedy). The content buyer will also be given the opportunity to enter any specific details that they have in mind (for example, a comedy clip featuring John Cleese may be preferred). They are also required to provide an e-mail address to which future communications should be sent and the URL address of the Web site 22 into which any digital content that is purchased will be inserted, along with an indication of the proposed use of the digital content.

When a buyer request 61 is transmitted to the content brokering system 30, it is received by the content buyer communications module 114 after passing through the firewall 112 (which checks the buyer request for viruses and also prevents any unauthorised access to the processing modules and data stores within the content brokering system 30). The buyer request 61 is then transmitted to the brokering processing engine 118, which proceeds to process the buyer request by issuing calls to the different processing modules of the content brokering system 30. Referring back to Figure 2, initial processing of the buyer request 61 is conducted at step 64. The brokering processing engine 118 passes the buyer request 61 to the filtering module 126 so that any unsuitable requests (e.g. for material of a racially intolerant nature or sexually extreme nature) may be screened out. The filtering module 126 performs this function by comparing the buyer request details with a predefined list of prohibited words. If a prohibited word is identified, an e-mail message will be sent to the content buyer in response to their buyer request 61 highlighting any inappropriate wording and inviting them to edit the request for resubmission.

However, if the buyer request 61 is judged to be in order by the filtering module 126, then the brokering processing engine 118 proceeds to call the price quotation module 128, so that an appropriate price range may be provided to the content buyer. The price quotation module 128 refers to a pricing matrix (not shown) which links buyer details with content pricing details as provided by the content owners, the pricing matrix being generated from information stored on the content buyer profile database 120 and the content owner profile database 122. An approximate price range is returned to the brokering processing engine 118, which in turn transmits this back to the content buyer via the content buyer communications module 114, as the content buyer has remained logged on to the content brokering Web site 28. The content buyer is also presented with contract terms at this stage, stating for example that any digital content which is purchased may not be altered in any way without prior consent in writing.

The content buyer is prompted via the graphical user interface to indicate whether the suggested price range and contract terms are acceptable. If the content buyer does not wish to continue then the digital content brokering process is terminated, otherwise a message confirming the buyer request 61 is transmitted to the brokering processing engine 118. The content buyer is then free to log off the content brokering Web site 28, as the first phase of the digital content brokering process has been completed. A response to their buyer request 61 will take the form of an e-mail in due course, to which samples of low-resolution digital content 75 identified by the content brokering system 30 will be attached.

In the second phase of the digital content brokering process (starting at step 66 in Figure 2), the brokering processing engine 118 submits a query to the content owner profile database 122 to select a number of content owners who are likely to be able to provide digital content as specified in the buyer request 61. The query is formulated using the parameters specified in the buyer request 61. If the content buyer has failed to make a highly specific request, then the algorithm executed in step 66 of Figure 2 may identify a high number of suitable content owner profiles. However, the query to the content owner profile database 122 will indicate that in this case a limited number of, say, only sixteen content owners should be returned. The actual content owners to whom broker requests 69 are send is determined by use of a randomising function so as to ensure that no one content owner gets preferential treatment. The URL addresses of the content owner servers are returned to the brokering processing engine 118, along with details of any special formatting requirements for broker requests 69.

When special formatting of broker requests 69 is required, the brokering processing engine 118 refers the buyer request 61 to the formatting module 130 which returns a suitably formatted broker request 69. Otherwise, the buyer request 61 is transmitted as a broker request 69 to the content owner processing sub-systems 18 in a standard format via the content owner communications module 116 (see step 70 in Figure 2).

The transmitted broker requests 69 are then processed by the content owner processing sub-systems 18, as indicated by step 71 in Figure 2. As mentioned earlier, processing within these systems may be fully or partially automated, or may involve manual searching of digital content data stores. When an appropriate match is found for the broker request 69, the digital content is retrieved and is sent to the content brokering Web site 28 in its high-resolution form (standard encryption and compression techniques may be employed here to reduce the data transmission size and improve security during transmission). Responses to the broker requests 69 are received by the brokering processing engine 118 after passing through the firewall 112 and content owner communications module 116 (see step 73 in Figure 2). The high-resolution forms are unencrypted and decompressed as necessary and stored in the temporary data store 124. The brokering processing engine 118 then takes a copy of each piece of digital content received and forwards it to the low-resolution module 132, which reduces the resolution of the digital content whilst allowing its content to still be perceivable.

The low-resolution samples 75 of the digital content are then returned to the brokering processing engine 118 (see step 77 in Figure 2), which attaches them to an e-mail which is sent to the content buyer, therefore completing the second phase of the digital content brokering process.

Some time will now elapse whilst the content buyer considers the different low- resolution samples 75 which have been provided.

The third phase of processing performed by the content brokering system 30 commences when a purchase agreement is received by the content buyer communications module 114 (see step 94 of Figure 3). The purchase agreement indicates which piece of digital content has been selected and also includes the content buyer's authorisation for taking payment. Accordingly, the brokering processing engine 118 retrieves the content buyer's payment details, if they have already been provided, from their profile in the content buyer profile database 120 and forwards them to the payment module 134 which executes the necessary payment transaction. The payment module 134 informs the brokering processing engine 118 when payment has been procured, triggering it to retrieve the high-resolution version 73 of the selected digital content from the temporary data store 124 and forward it to the high- resolution module 136. The high-resolution module 136 performs security processing on the digital content before it is provided to the content buyer (see step 96 in Figure 3). In order to safeguard the rights of the content owner the digital content is watermarked using standard techniques, the watermark indicating the content owner, the content buyer and the use for which the digital content is authorised. To achieve this, the watermarking module 138 embeds watermarking codes in the digitised content so that any subsequent unauthorised changes to the content or unauthorised use of the content may be readily detected. In particular, the watermarking module 138 can insert a key to a list of prohibited uses stored at the content brokering system 30. The way in which this list is used is described later.

A further security feature is implemented by the expiry module 140, whereby a timing executable is incorporated in the high-resolution digital content, the executable having been programmed to be responsive to a predetermined expiry date. The executable is preferably arranged to detect date and time Web casts, whereby the present date and time are broadcast at regular intervals across the World Wide Web. When the timing executable detects that the expiry date has passed, it will remove the digital content from the content buyer's Web site 22 and replace it with a message banner showing the content broker's name and Web site address. However, the content buyer will be alerted to the possibility of these actions one month before the expiry date by means of an e-mail sent from an automated mailing list. If the content buyer renews their contract to use the digital content, they will be provided with a new copy of the content for insertion into their Web site 22. The new copy will contain an updated timing executable and will have been freshly watermarked, whilst the old copy should be deleted by the content buyer.

Further to the high-resolution digital content being provided to the content buyer and being inserted into their Web site 22, thereby concluding the third phase of the digital content brokering process (see step 96 in Figure 3), a fourth phase is engaged, as will now be described. The brokering processing engine 118 will periodically call the audit module 142 to engage so-called Web robots (not shown) to automatically browse the World Wide Web. The Web robots will, at times, be pointed directly to the URL address of the content buyer's Web site 22, whilst at other times they will be given with a more random starting point as determined by the audit module 142. The processing 150 performed by a Web robot is now described with reference to Figure 5.

The Web robot accesses a Web page at step 152 as instructed by the audit module 142 and begins its assessment of the content held therein at step 154. The Web robot possesses a list for storing whatever hyperlinks it encounters and at step 156 it adds the hyperlinks contained within the content of the present Web page to its list. The Web robot then goes on to conduct a more detailed assessment of the Web page. At step 158 it determines whether the content of the Web page has been digitally watermarked by the watermarking module 138 of the content brokering system 30. If it transpires that the Web page has not originated from the content brokering system 30, then the Web robot refers to its list of hyperlinks at step 160 and repeats the above process as from step 154. However, if at step 158 the Web robot determines that the present Web page has been watermarked by the content brokering system 30, then at step 162 it retrieves the URL address which is embedded within the digital watermark and compares it with the URL address of the present Web page. If the addresses are different then the Web robot reports the irregularity to the content brokering system 30 at step 164, triggering a reporting e-mail to be sent to the content buyer. Alternatively, if the address is in order then the Web robot further uses the watermark at step 166 to assess whether any unauthorised changes have been made to the content. Such practices are well established and so will not be discussed in detail here. The Web robot also analyses the meta tags associated with the page on which the content has been found. This list of metatag words is read and compared to a list of prohibited words (not shown) stored in the content broking system 30. The prohibited list of words is uniquely linked to the content by means of an identifier provided within the watermark. If any of the metatags of the current Web page match any of the prohibited words in the list specific to this content, then a problem is identified. Again, any problems are reported to the content brokering system 30 at step 164, whilst if all of the above tests have been satisfied the Web robot merely moves on to the next hyperlink in its list at step 160. It is to be appreciated that the content data can be transmitted between the content owner, the content broker and the content buyer by any conventional means; for example, video data can be sent using the technique of data streaming.

Having described a particular preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is to be appreciated that the embodiment in question is exemplary only, and that variations and modifications, such as those that will occur to those possessed of the appropriate knowledge and skills, maybe made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, cookies may be built into the content brokering system 30 or the content buyer server 20, to ensure that repeated time-wasters are quickly identified and that the digital content brokering service is only provided to bona-fide customers.

In addition, the high-resolution digital content may be provided in such a form so that if a visitor to the content buyer Web site 22 does not possess the necessary technology to view the digital content provided, the content is replaced by the digital content brokering banner mentioned earlier.

Also, the digital content which is provided can also be adapted to be resizable by the content buyer using existing technology, such that it can fit the whole of a Web page or portion thereof.

Furthermore, there need be no limit to the duration of the digital content that is provided - for example a content buyer may wish to buy a whole feature length film, or else a series of episodes to be broadcast on their Web site.

Claims

1. A content broking system for providing a content buyer with Audio Visual (AV) data for use in a web site, the system comprising: means for receiving an on-line request specifying AV data desired by the content buyer; a matching engine arranged to match the requested AV data with stored descriptive details of a range of AV data accessible to the system but stored at one or more remote content owner locations; means for transmitting a broker request to at least one of the one or more content owner locations that has AV data matching that specified in the request; and means for forwarding the specified AV data, received from a corresponding content owner location, to the content buyer.

2. A system according to Claim 1, wherein the receiving means comprises means for filtering out online requests for AV data relating to a set of non-suitable subject areas stored in a list at the system.

3. A system according to Claim 1, further comprising a quotation engine arranged to generate a quotation for the specified AV data and to return this to the content buyer before processing the request.

4. A system according to Claim 1, further comprising a registration module arranged to register the content buyer and storing the content buyer's details in a content buyer profile.

5. A system according to Claim 4 as dependent on Claim 3, wherein the quotation engine is arranged to use information in the content buyer's profile to calculate a quotation for the specified content.

6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the matching engine comprises a matching algorithm arranged to match keywords in the request to keywords in the stored descriptive details of the content accessible via the system.

7. A system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a store of stored descriptive details of a range of AV data accessible to the system but stored at one or more remote content owner locations, the store being arranged as a series of catalogues from each content owner.

8. A system according to Claim 7, further comprising updating means arranged to receive updated catalogue information from a content owner and to update the descriptive details store.

9. A system according to Claim 1, wherein the matching engine is arranged to limit the number of matches it generates in response to a single request.

10. A system according to Claim 9, wherein the matching engine comprises a random number generator arranged to randomise the selection of the content owners when the number of matches generatable by the matching engine would exceed a predetermined limit.

11. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the transmitting means is arranged to transmit a plurality of broker requests in response to a single buyer request.

12. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the transmitting means is arranged to convert a broker request in response to a single buyer request into a previously specified format for the content owner.

13. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the response forwarding means comprises means for unencrypting and/or decompressing the specified AV data received from the content owner.

14. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the response forwarding means further comprises a temporary store for temporarily storing a high-resolution version of the AV data received from the content owner.

15. A system according to Claim 14, wherein the response forwarding means further comprises means for creating a low-resolution version of the AV data received from the content owner, and forwarding the low-resolution version to the content buyer for consideration.

16. A system according to Claim 15, further comprising means arranged to receive an acceptance of the low-resolution version of the AV data and to authorise payment for the same, the forwarding means being arranged to retrieve the stored high- resolution version of the AV data and to forward this to the content buyer.

17. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the response forwarding means is arranged in respect of a single request to forward low-resolution versions of AV data received from a plurality of content owners to the content buyer, to receive a response from the content buyer selecting some of the AV data and to forward a high- resolution version of the AV data to the content buyer.

18. A system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a watermarking engine arranged to insert a watermark into the AV data to be used in the website prior to forwarding it to the content buyer for use.

19. A system according to Claim 18, wherein the watermarking engine is arranged to include content buyer web site identification information in the watermark.

20. A system according to Claim 18 or 19, wherein the watermarking engine is arranged to include content buyer specified use of the AV data in the watermark.

21. A system according to any of Claims 18 to 20, wherein the watermarking engine is arranged to include content owner identification information in the watermark.

22. A system according to any preceding claim, further comprising means for inserting a time expiry executable in the AV data to be used in the website prior to forwarding it to the content buyer for use, the executable being arranged to allow the AV data to be used by the content buyer for a given period of time.

23. A system according to Claim 22, wherein the time expiry executable is arranged to determine the current time from time broadcasts over the Internet and to compare this with a stored expiry time for the AV data.

24. A system according to Claim 22 or 23, wherein the time expiry executable is arranged to replace the AV data with a content broker identifier when it has determined that the current AV data has expired.

25. A system according to any preceding claim, further comprising an audit means arranged to audit the use of the AV data supplied to the content buyer, the audit means being arranged to compare a specified use declared by the content buyer prior to purchase with an actual use to which the AV data is being put.

26. A system according to Claim 25, wherein the audit means comprises Web robots arranged to trawl web sites on the Internet looking for AV data that has been provided by the system for use by a specific content buyer.

27. A system according to Claim 26 as dependent from any of Claims 18 to 21, wherein the audit means is arranged to retrieve the watermark and compare this with information relating to the use of the AV content data.

28. A system according to Claim 27, wherein the audit means is arranged to generate a report for any unauthorised use of AV data and to send the report to the content owner of the AV data.

29. A method of providing a content buyer with Audio Visual (AV) data for use in a web site, the method comprising: receiving an on-line request specifying AV data desired by the content buyer; matching the requested AV data with stored descriptive details of a range of AV data accessible to the system but stored at one or more remote content owner locations; transmitting a broker request to at least one of the one or more content owner locations that has AV data matching that specified in the request; and forwarding the specified AV data, received from a corresponding content owner location, to the content buyer.

30. A content broking web portal for supplying digital content data to a content buyer from at least one content owner, the portal comprising: processing means arranged to compare digital content data request details with items in a stored catalogue of digital content data available to the portal, the digital content data being stored at one or more different remote content owners; generating means arranged to generate broker requests for at least some of the content owners having digital content data matched to that specified in the request; and forwarding means arranged to forward desired digital content data received from the content owners to the content buyer.