Abstract: A device is equipped with local storage arrangement such as HDD and a removable optical storage carrier input device. Removable carriers include storage applications that necessitate storage space for storing data items. A storage management unit allocates storage space of the local storage arrangement to the inserted removable optical storage carrier and the application stored therein. The management unit also attributes to the portion identification information respecting access rights granted to the application with respect to data items stored in the allocated portion. The application is given no access to data items stored outside the allocated portion.

Abstract: A system for and method of controlling retransmission of a content item contained in a multimedia message, comprising receiving the message containing the content item from a sender together with an identifier of an intended recipient of the message, obtaining an identifier for the content item, retrieving approval information from a provider based on the identifier for the content item, and controlling retransmission of the message including the content item to the intended recipient based on the retrieved approval information. Controlling may comprise e.g. charging a fee for the retransmission, restricting forwarding of the content item or disallowing the retransmission. If the additional information identifies plural providers, retransmission can be made conditional upon approval by any of the plural providers.

Abstract: Methods of and system for distributing a multimedia object (212). A server (201) receives a request to buy the multimedia object (212) from a client device (101). After authorizing the request, an identifier for the object (212) is forwarded to a file sharing network (100). A node (102) that is able to distribute the object (212) to the client (101) signals a positive response to the server (201) and subsequently transmits the object (212) to the client (101). The operator of the node (102) is then rewarded for distributing the object (212) in this fashion. This way the server (201) does not have to distribute the object (212) itself, but still earns money from the operator of the client (101). By encrypting or otherwise protecting the object (212) it is prevented that clients share the objects directly without contacting the server (201).