Abstract: A method and system for providing a digital file marketplace is disclosed, where the digital marketplace includes a plurality of digital files for access by consumers over a network. The method and system include allowing a content owner to post a file on the marketplace for access by users by, providing information about the file, setting a retail price that users will be charged for downloading the file, and setting a reseller commission for the file. A first user may then search for files posted on the digital marketplace for one to resell on a third party website. A second user may further search the files posted on the digital marketplace for one to download. If the second user selects a particular file to download, then the user is charged the retail price set for the file. If the second user downloads the particular file from the third party website, then the first user is paid the reseller commission set for the file.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling electronic delivery of files is disclosed. The method and system include maintaining a data repository for storing information relating to the files available in the digital marketplace, wherein the information includes business rules associated with each file that define electronic transfer of the files during commercial transactions. In response to a first user requesting to resell a particular file and thereby becoming a reseller, the data repository is accessed to dynamically generate a reseller uniform resource locator (RURL) that uniquely identifies the reseller and the file. The RURL is then provided to the reseller for posting on a website in order to make the file commercially available to others on the website.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently transporting digital files over a peer-to-peer network is disclosed, where the network includes at least one server node and multiple client nodes. According to the method and system when a digital file is to be transferred over the network from a sending node to a receiving node, other nodes are allowed to submit bids to transport the file over the network for a particular price. The node with the lowest bid is then allowed to transport to file to the receiving node, thereby optimizing network traffic based on economics.

Abstract: A method and system for electronically delivering files over a public network is disclosed. The network includes a plurality of computers including at least one server node and multiple client nodes. In a first aspect of the present invention, the method and system enable secure and reliable peer-to-peer file sharing between two client nodes. First, a digital fingerprint is generated and associated with a file in response to the file being selected for publication on a first client node. An entry for the file is then added to a searchable index of shared files on the server node, and the fingerprint for the file is also stored on the server. In response to a second client selecting the file from the search list on the server node, the file is automatically transferred from the first client node directly to the second client node.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently transporting digital files over a peer-to-peer network is disclosed, where the network includes at least one server node and multiple client nodes. According to the method and system when a digital file is to be transferred over the network from a sending node to a receiving node, other nodes are allowed to submit bids to transport the file over the network for a particular price. The node with the lowest bid is then allowed to transport to file to the receiving node, thereby optimizing network traffic based on economics.

Abstract: A method and system for electronically delivering files over a public network is disclosed. The network includes a plurality of computers including at least one server node and multiple client nodes. In a first aspect of the present invention, the method and system enable secure and reliable peer-to-peer file sharing between two client nodes. First, a digital fingerprint is generated and associated with a file in response to the file being selected for publication on a first client node. An entry for the file is then added to a searchable index of shared files on the server node, and the fingerprint for the file is also stored on the server. In response to a second client selecting the file from the search list on the server node, the file is automatically transferred from the first client node directly to the second client node.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling electronic delivery of files is disclosed. The method and system include maintaining a data repository for storing information relating to the files available in the digital marketplace, wherein the information includes business rules associated with each file that define electronic transfer of the files during commercial transactions. In response to a first user requesting to resell a particular file and thereby becoming a reseller, the data repository is accessed to dynamically generate a reseller uniform resource locator (RURL) that uniquely identifies the reseller and the file. The RURL is then provided to the reseller for posting on a website in order to make the file commercially available to others on the website.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a digital file marketplace is disclosed, where the digital marketplace includes a plurality of digital files for access by consumers over a network. The method and system include allowing a content owner to post a file on the marketplace for access by users by, providing information about the file, setting a retail price that users will be charged for downloading the file, and setting a reseller commission for the file. A first user may then search for files posted on the digital marketplace for one to resell on a third party website. A second user may further search the files posted on the digital marketplace for one to download. If the second user selects a particular file to download, then the user is charged the retail price set for the file. If the second user downloads the particular file from the third party website, then the first user is paid the reseller commission set for the file.

Abstract: A method and system for generating revenue in a peer-to-peer file delivery network that includes at least one server node and multiple client nodes is disclosed. The method and system include enabling peer-to-peer file sharing of content by initiating, on one client node, a download of a particular content item served from the server node or another client node, and then charging a fee based on a quantity of the content served. The method and system further include enabling decentralized downloads of subscription-based content. The decentralized downloads are provided by allowing the client nodes to subscribe to one or more of the subscription-based content, periodically sending the subscribed to subscriptionbased content to each the respective subscribing client nodes, and charging a fee to providers of the subscription-based content for serving the subscription-based content.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a digital file marketplace is disclosed. The method and system include allowing content owners to share their digital files on the marketplace for access by consumers, and generating revenue by charging the consumers fees for receiving or opening the digital files. The method and system further include paying a percentage of the revenue to the content owners as royalties. In a further aspect of the present invention, consumers may become affiliates of the marketplace where the unused bandwidth of the consumer's computers is used to deliver the files to other consumers. As an incentive, affiliates are also paid for donating the bandwidth and for referring new consumers to the marketplace.