Abstract: A centralized rights management system and methodologies for digital media (e.g., books) is shown and described. In one embodiment, for example, a computer-implemented method is described for automated assertion of a claim of rights in books, the method comprises steps of: maintaining a publicly-searchable registry of books subject to claims by rightsholders; receiving user input allowing a user to select a book from the registry that the user wishes to assert a claim of rights in; displaying a list representing rights that can be claimed by rightsholders for the selected book; receiving input from the user asserting a claim of rights for the selected book; and electronically storing information about the asserted claim of rights, for facilitating automated payments to the user in connection with royalties earned for the selected book.