Abstract: A computer-readable medium, apparatus, and interface are provided for constructing an edit decision list that specifies media content to be included in a composed media object. The edit decision list is constructed by generating at least one media portion specifier, wherein the at least one media portion specifier identifies at least a portion of at least one first media object, and generating the edit decision list, where the edit decision list includes a network address and the at least one media portion specifier, and the edit decision list is in the form of a network resource locator string, such as a URL, suitable for transmission in a network request to the network address to cause the composed media object to be generated. The edit decision list may be transmitted in a single Hypertext Transfer Protocol request to the network address.

Abstract: Technology for sharing media objects includes receiving image selection data associated with a first media object, where the first media object is a television broadcast video. A media server maybe included for storing a second media object. In one embodiment, the second media object is a recording of the broadcast of the first media object. In another embodiment, the second media object may be loaded into a media object database within the media server separate from the television broadcast. The media server may then identify a segment of the second media object by comparing the image selection data with data representing at least a portion of the second media object. The media server may then send the segment to a second user. In one embodiment, sending the segment to a second user may include sending a web-link reference to the segment. The media server may also send or cause the transmission of advertising data related to the image selection data.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium, apparatus, and interface are provided for constructing an edit decision list that specifies media content to be included in a composed media object. The edit decision list is constructed by generating at least one media portion specifier, wherein the at least one media portion specifier identifies at least a portion of at least one first media object, and generating the edit decision list, where the edit decision list includes a network address and the at least one media portion specifier, and the edit decision list is in the form of a network resource locator string, such as a URL, suitable for transmission in a network request to the network address to cause the composed media object to be generated. The edit decision list may be transmitted in a single Hypertext Transfer Protocol request to the network address.

Abstract: A computer enabled method of assembling at least one section of a media object to form an assembled media object is provided. The method includes receiving a segment description that identifies a portion of the media object, generating an assembled media object that includes the portion, providing the assembled media object for subsequent viewing, wherein the segment description is associated with the assembled media object. The media object may include video, audio, a graphical image, vector graphics animation, an online application, or an applet. The assembled media object may be associated with a content user, and the method may further include associating the segment description with a content owner, where the content owner holds rights to the at least one portion, and transferring consideration between the content owner and the content user, where the amount of consideration is based upon a price associated with the at least one portion.

Abstract: Methods for inline communication of permissible uses or rights of a media asset to a user are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving an intended use of a media asset from a remote device (e.g., from a user wishing to reuse the media asset in some fashion), and allowing communication of the media asset if the intended use satisfies a predetermined permissible use set (which may include one or more permissible criteria). The intended use may be compared with the predetermined permissible use set to determine if the use is okay, and if so, the method provides the remote device with a link to the media asset or a source of the media asset. In other examples, the method may transfer the media asset to the remote device, e.g., via a file transfer, streaming, and so on.

Abstract: Methods for creating a compilation of media assets and tracking uses of media assets are provided. In one example, the method includes generating a playlist referencing a first media asset and a second media asset, wherein the first media asset has a reference associated therewith (e.g., a tag or item in a database) identifying a source of the first media asset, and causing display of the first media asset and the second media asset per the playlist. The reference may also identify subsequent uses of the media asset, which may provide for tracking uses of the media asset, bidirectional linking of users of the media assets, e.g., linking of users, blog pages, websites, etc., using common media assets (even if within compilation or remixed media assets), and so on.

Abstract: System and methods for editing media assets are provided. In one example, apparatus for editing media assets includes logic (e.g., software) for causing the display of a media asset editor embedded within a web page, the editor operable to display a media asset and cause an edit of the media asset in response to user input. In one example, the media asset editor comprises a widget embedded within the web page; for example, a flash based widget. The editor may be further operable to upload media assets to remote storage, e.g., local or remote media assets or user-generated media assets. An edit to the media asset may include an edit instruction associated with the displayed media asset. In one example, the edit to the media asset may include an annotation of the displayed media asset, e.g., a text, audio, or video annotations of the displayed media asset.

Abstract: A method for automatically generating most popular videos or aggregate media assets based on a set of criteria is provided. In one example, the method includes receiving a set of criteria (e.g., one or more criterion) for selecting media assets, selecting at least two media assets from a plurality of media assets based on a set of data (e.g., one or more attributes) associated with each of the plurality of media assets and the set of criteria, and generating a playlist of the selected media assets. The method may further include generating an aggregate media asset based on the playlist for sequentially playing media assets according to the playlist. The selection criteria may be based upon a media asset attribute (e.g., duration, subject matter, source, language, etc.). Further, selection of the media assets may be based on media asset access patterns, e.g., views, plays, edits, etc.

Abstract: Apparatus for client-side editing of media assets in a client-server architecture is provided. In one example, a user of a client device uses an editor to edit local and remote media assets in an on-line environment (e.g., via a web browser), where media assets originating locally may be edited without delays for uploading the media assets to a remote storage. The apparatus includes logic (e.g., software) for generating an edit instruction in response to user input, the edit instruction associated with a media asset stored locally, and upload logic for transmitting at least a portion of the media asset to a remote storage subsequent to selecting a local media object for editing. The portion of the media asset transmitted to the remote storage may be based on the edit instruction, e.g., transmitting only the portions being edited.

Abstract: An interface for editing media assets is provided. The interface includes a display for displaying a plurality of tiles, each tile associated with a media asset, and a timeline for displaying relative times of each of the plurality of media assets as edited by a user for an aggregate media asset. The timeline display automatically adjusts in response to edits to the media assets; in one example, the timeline concatenating in response to an edit or change in the media assets selected for the aggregate media asset (e.g., in response to the addition, deletion, or edit of a selected media asset). Additionally, in some examples, the timeline maintains a fixed length when adjusting in response to edits to the media assets. In another example, the interface includes a search interface for searching for media assets from remote or local sources.

Abstract: Apparatus for editing and generating media assets is provided. In one example, the apparatus includes logic for receiving data (e.g., edit instructions, views, votes, etc.) from a plurality of users, the data indicating a selection of at least one media asset from each of a plurality of sets of media assets for use in an aggregate media asset; and logic for causing the generation of an aggregate media asset based on the received data. Each set of media assets may correspond to a separate time or scene for inclusion in a larger media asset; for example, a set of clips to be used for a particular scene of an aggregate video or movie. The apparatus may further comprise logic for generating a ranking of media assets within each set of media assets based on data associated with a plurality of users.