Abstract: A multicast media service is provided. The multicast media service may be implemented using a media server that multicasts media files to users at user computing equipment. The multicast media service maintains playlists of media files. Users that receive the same multicasted media files at the same time form a viewer group. The multicast media service displays media player screens for each user in the viewer group. The media player screens include a media player region in which a media file that is currently being multicasted is played. Each media player screen also includes a current playlist of media files. The users in the viewer group can communicate about a currently playing media file using real time chat. Users can also upload associated content such as tags, persistent comments, and ratings. The multicast media management service may automatically suggest playlist modifications and can support navigation options.

Abstract: A peer-based communications service is provided in which linking relationships between members and topics of interest and the properties of members and topics of interest are represented by links in a links table. Each row in the links table corresponds to a link. Each row contains an association portion and a descriptive attribute portion. Link associations are used to associate member and topic objects to each other and are used to associate a member or topic with a property of that member or topic. The descriptive attributes include privacy settings that are used to restrict access to content in the service. Members may be related to each other as friends, friends of friends, or through other relationships. The privacy settings may be used to restrict viewing of links and properties to appropriate members.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for receiving a song claim, and comparing the song claim to records of a database of songs. To this end, results of the comparing may be indicated. In various embodiments, such songs may include musical works, compositions, etc. Of course, songs in the form of a recording are also contemplated.