Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method of accessing a data set. The data set includes a set of data elements. The method collects the data elements of the data set. The method receives a lens item. The lens item provides a set of parameters for searching the data set. The method searches the data set by using the lens item to identify a data subset. The method sorts a list of data elements based on the data subset. The sorting generates an ordered list. The method filters the data subset. Filtering the data subset comprises excluding the data elements that are not relevant to the lens item. The method presents the ordered list in a first column of a matrix. The matrix has several cells. The cells of the matrix are based on the data subset. The method selects column headings for the matrix and populates the cells of the matrix. Some embodiments provide a system for providing access to a data set. The system has a set of data elements that comprises a first data source.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method of accessing a data set. The data set includes a set of data elements. The method collects the data elements of the data set. The method receives a lens item. The lens item provides a set of parameters for searching the data set. The method searches the data set by using the lens item to identify a data subset. The method sorts a list of data elements based on the data subset. The sorting generates an ordered list. The method filters the data subset. Filtering the data subset comprises excluding the data elements that are not relevant to the lens item. The method presents the ordered list in a first column of a matrix. The matrix has several cells. The cells of the matrix are based on the data subset. The method selects column headings for the matrix and populates the cells of the matrix. Some embodiments provide a system for providing access to a data set. The system has a set of data elements that comprises a first data source.

Abstract: Particular embodiments generally relate to transferring data with first usage rights to a device and presenting the data by a receiving device by using different usage rights. The receiving device contacts one or more services that can determine what rights are available and can issue those rights to the receiving device. The receiving device is challenged to identify the received content. The receiving device can update the state across devices and services that maintain compliance with the usage rights.

Abstract: Particular embodiments generally relate to providing customer service recommendations. A first business entity may provide customer care for a user of a device. For example, the first business entity may have manufactured the device. The user of the device may participate in many transactions during use of the device. The transactions may be with other devices and/or services. When these transactions are performed, information for these transactions may be stored in a repository. At some point, the user may encounter problems with the operation of the device. The user may contact customer care for the first business entity and allow access to the transaction information. Thus, the first business entity may be able to review transactions that occurred with business entities other than itself.

Abstract: A media distribution system is provided in which a primary means of transport for digital media is through a device with housing shaped as an optical disc and insertable into various current and future optical disc drive devices. Media travels from different digital sources such as a personal media library and other networked resources to embedded memory on the optical disc shaped device via a capable personal computer or electronic device. This media is then able to be presented in the most appropriate format in a number of different types of current and legacy devices with optical drives such as CD audio devices and DVD players.

Abstract: An electronic media distribution system which facilitates the distribution of media to consumers over a network, such as the Internet, while achieving commercial business objectives and protecting the intellectual property rights associated with the media being distributed. The system provides the infrastructure and support for various market participants to engage in buying, selling, finding and distributing music. The system provides an interface for consumers to locate, access and receive musical content over the Internet. The system facilitates continued control over the musical content sent to consumers by dynamically enforcing retailer agreements and restrictions governing the purchase, use, and distribution of the content. The system also provides a service to retailers and distributors in assisting with the management of sales and distribution of music over the Internet.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method of accessing a data set. The data set includes a set of data elements. The method collects the data elements of the data set. The method receives a lens item. The lens item provides a set of parameters for searching the data set. The method searches the data set by using the lens item to identify a data subset. The method sorts a list of data elements based on the data subset. The sorting generates an ordered list. The method filters the data subset. Filtering the data subset comprises excluding the data elements that are not relevant to the lens item. The method presents the ordered list in a first column of a matrix. The matrix has several cells. The cells of the matrix are based on the data subset. The method selects column headings for the matrix and populates the cells of the matrix. Some embodiments provide a system for providing access to a data set. The system has a set of data elements that comprises a first data source.

Abstract: A method for distributing content over a network by providing a predetermined electronic contract for distributing the content between a retailer and a distributor, wherein terms of the contract are independent of the content and the retailer distributes the content to a consumer and the distributor has rights in the content. A step of presenting a candidate retail offer for the distribution of the content to the consumer and receiving a request from the consumer to exercise the candidate retail offer. Finally, validating the candidate retail offer for the distribution of the content by accessing the electronic contract and determining if the candidate retail offer is consistent with the electronic contract. Upon successful validation, providing the content to the consumer, receiving compensation information from the consumer indicating at least the amount of compensation for the content provided and allocating the compensation according to the electronic contract.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking and processing errors in a distributed computer system. As an application encounters an error, a centralized system intercepts and assumes the processing of that error event. The central error processing may be used with a distributed network connecting the applications running on various user computers. Upon receipt of an error message from an application, the system creates an informative error package, propagates appropriate error alert to relevant subsystems, and attempts to resolve the error. The error may be resolved in various ways. For example, the system may select and dispatch appropriate help information to the user; or the system may locate an alternative resource to substitute for the failed resource. The system may prioritize errors when there is more than one error still unresolved at any given time.

Abstract: Method and system for determining and verifying derivative contracts from party relationships. Parties enter into exchange-of-value transactions by offer and acceptance of contract terms that provide for an exchange of value. Parties in these transactions are value chain participants, with a plurality of express and implied contractual relationships among the participants within the value chain. The present invention determines the derivative contract terms for offer and acceptance of exchange-of-value transactions based on relationships between value chain participants. Reference services derive the contract terms by determining the relationships between parties and then applying rules to these relationships in order to generate the contract terms. The present invention is particularly applicable in the area of e-commerce transactions, where a plurality of complex relationships creates complex business transactions.