Abstract: A computer based system for collecting royalties from content distribution on a peer-to-peer network is disclosed, comprising a content distribution server, transaction server and client computers operatively connected to a network. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of data files is preloaded onto the distribution server from a content publisher. By way of example and not limitation, a purchase request is submitted by clients prior to the release of the content. On the initial distribution of content to the public a single client is chosen from the group of clients that have submitted a purchase request. A distribution drawing is conducted by the transaction server to select a single client to download a single copy (the seed replica) from the distribution server. After the client is chosen the download is initiated, the transaction server records the transaction and the clients account is debited.