SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LICENSING MUSIC

Abstract

The present disclosure includes a system, method, and computer program product for music licensing. The method may include storing a plurality of cues in a memory, each of the plurality of cues having a plurality of tags associated therewith. The plurality of tags may include both musical and non-musical tags. The method may further include receiving an input at a computing device, the input corresponding to at least one of the plurality of tags. The method may also include searching the memory of the computing device to locate at least one of the plurality of cues having at least one tag that corresponds to the input. Numerous other embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of the following application, which is herein incorporated by reference: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/257,257; filed 2 Nov. 2009, entitled: “Jingle Punks Technology Whitepaper”.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to music licensing. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed towards a licensing system and method for pre-licensed music.

BACKGROUND

Music licensing is a rapidly growing and expanding market within the music industry, as well as in the more general categories of entertainment and communications. With large amounts of new media content on television, film and in new media like the web, mobile devices and more, there is a substantial increase in demand for hip, high quality and affordable music to enhance this content. Television has now become the number one place where people discover new music.

The process for licensing music is often extremely cumbersome. Complex negotiations had to take place between the media user, lawyers, agents and the artists. Even with far less media (i.e., fewer channels and fewer shows on each) it was an inefficient process to negotiate. We now live in a media saturated universe with over 1000 channels, media on the web and advertising in every imaginable place from taxicabs to bathroom kiosks. The concept of pre-licensed stock music developed from this, providing basic music to content producers.

Pre-licensed music is a good fit with network and cable business models because of the boom of reality programs that requires wall-to-wall music to help heighten the drama, comedy or tension of otherwise mundane events. This trend has spilled into every network and is the cornerstone of many networks. Many television shows are much more likely to use stock music as a source because sourcing music directly from a composer is too time consuming and expensive.

Pioneers in the stock music industry created simple delivery methods to accommodate the rapidly expanding media marketplace by using compact discs (CDs), hard drives and HTML pages to share music with clients. Media producers are (more and more) looking for increased speed in delivery, and now real-time delivery methods are becoming sought after. Additionally, content producers need to stand out from the saturated media markets and quality is making a comeback. The market wants everything: low cost, real-time speed and high quality.

As we move into the next wave of media that may allow user generated content to proliferate on the web, mobile devices and beyond, regulations may soon follow and there may be a need for pre-cleared music in this arena too. Soon, amateur content makers may need the same music licensing tools that the professionals have so that the content they create will not be in violation of copyright laws.

In the United States there are over 1,000 television channels producing tens of thousands of shows, 11,000 commercial radio stations, 1,200 feature films, tens of thousands of advertisements and millions of web content pieces. Each needs music or sound accompaniment. The two major rights organizations in the US (i.e., BMI and ASCAP) paid more than $1.4 billion in royalties in 2006. This figure is growing rapidly and projects to top $2 billion in 2010. As royalty regulations are put in place for web content this growth curve may continue to increase.

It is often the music producer who may be tasked with the role of identifying and locating the proper music for these television shows, radio programs, etc. In this way, music producers may be required to find appropriate music in order to meet quick deadlines and within tight budgets. Moreover, they often need to be able to immediately access the music to begin editing without worrying about licensing contracts or fees.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

In a first implementation of this disclosure a licensing system is provided. In some embodiments, the licensing system may include a memory including a plurality of cues, each of the plurality of cues having a plurality of tags associated therewith. The plurality of tags may include both musical and non-musical tags. The licensing system may also include a computing device configured to receive an input corresponding to at least one of the plurality of tags. The computing device may be further configured to search the memory to locate at least one of the plurality of cues having at least one tag that corresponds to the input.

One or more of the following features may be included. In some embodiments, the plurality of cues may be arranged in a cue table, each of the plurality of cues having one or more description tables associated therewith. The one or more description tables may include at least one of an instrument table, a scene table, a similar band table, a television show table, a mood table, a tempo table, a genre table, a subgenre table, a lyrics table, and a non-musical table.

In some embodiments, the non-musical table may include at least one of film directors, movies, television shows, and popular culture references. The licensing system may be a pre-licensed music licensing system.

In some embodiments, the computing device may be further configured to provide at least one located cue having at least one tag that corresponds to the input to a user. The computing device may allow for an assignment of one or more of the plurality of tags based upon, at least in part, a categorization algorithm and custom tagging.

In another implementation of the present disclosure a licensing method is provided. The licensing method may include storing a plurality of cues in a memory, each of the plurality of cues having a plurality of tags associated therewith. The plurality of tags may include both musical and non-musical tags. The method may further include receiving an input at a computing device, the input corresponding to at least one of the plurality of tags. The method may also include searching the memory of the computing device to locate at least one of the plurality of cues having at least one tag that corresponds to the input.

One or more of the following features may be included. The method may additionally include arranging the plurality of cues in a cue table, each of the plurality of cues having one or more description tables associated therewith. In some embodiments, the one or more description tables may include at least one of an instrument table, a scene table, a similar band table, a television show table, a mood table, a tempo table, a genre table, a subgenre table, a lyrics table, and a non-musical table. The non-musical table may include at least one of film directors, movies, television shows, and popular culture references. The licensing system may be a pre-licensed music licensing system.

In some embodiments, the licensing method may further include providing, via the computing device, at least one located cue having at least one tag that corresponds to the input to a user. The method may also include allowing, via the computing device, for an assignment of one or more of the plurality of tags based upon, at least in part, a categorization algorithm and custom tagging.

In yet another implementation of the present disclosure a computer program product is provided. The computer program product may reside on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations. In some embodiments, operations may include storing a plurality of cues in a memory, each of the plurality of cues having a plurality of tags associated therewith, the plurality of tags including both musical and non-musical tags. Operations may further include receiving an input at a computing device, the input corresponding to at least one of the plurality of tags and searching the memory of the computing device to locate at least one of the plurality of cues having at least one tag that corresponds to the input.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the music licensing process of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment depicting portions of the music licensing process of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment depicting portions of the music licensing process of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment depicting operations in accordance with the music licensing process of the present disclosure.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings, in some cases, may indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present disclosure may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable (i.e., computer-usable) medium(s) having computer-usable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer-readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer-readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, a device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable storage medium may include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Note that the computer-readable storage medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which a program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. In the context of this document, a computer-readable storage medium may be any medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer-usable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof, A computer readable signal medium may be any computer-readable medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Program code embodied on a computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of aspects of the present invention may be written in an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like. However, the computer program code for carrying out operations of aspects of the present invention may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Aspects of the present disclosure are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, may be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown licensing process 10 that may reside on and may be executed by server computer 12, which may be connected to network 14 (e.g., the Internet or a local area network). Examples of server computer 12 may include, but are not limited to: a personal computer, a server computer, a series of server computers, a mini computer, and a mainframe computer. Server computer 12 may be a web server (or a series of servers) running a network operating system, examples of which may include but are not limited to: Microsoft® Windows® Server; Novell® NetWare®; or Red Hat® Linux®, for example (Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries or both; Novell and NetWare are registered trademarks of Novell Corporation in the United States, other countries or both; Red Hat is a registered trademark of Red Hat Corporation in the United States, other countries or both; and Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States, other countries or both), for example.

In some embodiments, server computer 12 and associated storage device 16 may be associated with a cloud computing architecture. Accordingly, server computer 12 and/or storage device 16 may include numerous computers and/or storage devices distributed over a network, such as network 14.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “cue” as used herein is meant to refer to a singular musical composition. As will be discussed below in greater detail, licensing process 10 may include storing a plurality of cues in a memory, each of the plurality of cues having a plurality of tags associated therewith, the plurality of tags including both musical and non-musical tags. The method may further include receiving an input at a computing device, the input corresponding to at least one of the plurality of tags. The method may also include searching the memory of the computing device to locate at least one of the plurality of cues having at least one tag that corresponds to the input.

The instruction sets and subroutines of licensing process 10, which may be stored on storage device 16 coupled to server computer 12, may be executed by one or more processors (not shown) and one or more memory architectures (not shown) incorporated into server computer 12. Storage device 16 may include, but is not limited to, a hard disk drive; a tape drive; an optical drive; a RAID array; a random access memory (RAM); and a read-only memory (ROM).

Server computer 12 may execute a web server application, examples of which may include but are not limited to: Microsoft IIS, Novell Webserver™, or Apache® Webserver, that allows for HTTP (i.e., HyperText Transfer Protocol) access to server computer 12 via network 14 (Webserver is a trademark of Novell Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both; and Apache is a registered trademark of Apache Software Foundation in the United States, other countries, or both). Network 14 may be connected to one or more secondary networks (e.g., network 18), examples of which may include, but are not limited to, a local area network; a wide area network; or an intranet, for example.

Server computer 12 may include a relational database 20 as well as a server licensing application. In some embodiments, server computer 12 may utilize a database management system such as, but not limited to, “My Structured Query Language (MySQL) in order to provide multi-user access to one or more databases such as relational database 20. Licensing process 10 may be a stand alone application that interfaces with relational database 20 or an applet/application that is executed within server licensing application. Although relational database 20 is shown as being within server computer 12, it is envisioned that database 20 may be, in whole or in part, distributed in a cloud computing topology. In this way, server computer 12 and storage device 16 may refer to multiple devices, which may also be distributed throughout the network.

The instruction sets and subroutines of client licensing applications 22, 24, 26, 28, which may be stored on storage devices 30, 32, 34, 36 (respectively) coupled to client electronic devices 38, 40, 42, 44 (respectively), may be executed by one or more processors (not shown) and one or more memory architectures (not shown) incorporated into client electronic devices 38, 40, 42, 44 (respectively). Storage devices 30, 32, 34, 36 may include, but are not limited to, hard disk drives, tape drives, optical drives, RAID arrays, random access memories (RAM), read-only memories (ROM), compact flash (CF) storage devices, secure digital (SD) storage devices, and memory stick storage devices. Examples of computing devices 38, 40, 42, 44 may include, but are not limited to, personal computer 38, laptop computer 40, personal digital assistant 42, notebook computer 44, a data-enabled, cellular telephone (not shown), and a dedicated network device (not shown), for example. Using client licensing applications 22, 24, 26, 28, users 46, 48, 50, 52 may access relational database 20 to access and/or locate one or more cues.

In some embodiments, users 46, 48, 50, 52 may access relational database 20 directly through the device on which the client licensing application (e.g., client licensing applications 22, 24, 26, 28) is executed, namely client electronic devices 38, 40, 42, 44, for example. Users 46, 48, 50, 52 may access relational database 20 directly through network 14 or through secondary network 18. Further, server computer 12 (i.e., the computer that executes the server application) may be connected to network 14 through secondary network 18, as illustrated with phantom link line 54.

The various client electronic devices may be directly or indirectly coupled to network 14 (or network 18). For example, personal computer 38 is shown directly coupled to network 14 via a hardwired network connection. Further, notebook computer 44 is shown directly coupled to network 18 via a hardwired network connection. Laptop computer 40 is shown wirelessly coupled to network 14 via wireless communication channel 56 established between laptop computer 40 and wireless access point (i.e., WAP) 58, which is shown directly coupled to network 14. WAP 58 may be, for example, an IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11 g, Wi-Fi, and/or Bluetooth device that is capable of establishing wireless communication channel 56 between laptop computer 40 and WAP 58. Personal digital assistant 42 is shown wirelessly coupled to network 14 via wireless communication channel 60 established between personal digital assistant 42 and cellular network/bridge 62, which is shown directly coupled to network 14.

As is known in the art, all of the IEEE 802.11x specifications may use Ethernet protocol and carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (i.e., CSMA/CA) for path sharing. The various 802.11x specifications may use phase-shift keying (i.e., PSK) modulation or complementary code keying (i.e., CCK) modulation, for example.

Client electronic devices 38, 40, 42, 44 may each execute an operating system, examples of which may include but are not limited to Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows CE®, Red Hat Linux, or a custom operating system (Windows CE is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both).

This disclosure is directed towards a licensing process 10, which may include storing a plurality of cues in a memory, each of the plurality of cues having a plurality of tags associated therewith, the plurality of tags including both musical and non-musical tags. The method may further include receiving an input at a computing device, the input corresponding to at least one of the plurality of tags. The method may also include searching the memory of the computing device to locate at least one of the plurality of cues having at least one tag that corresponds to the input.

In some embodiments, licensing process 10 may be a server-side process, a client-side process, or a hybrid server-side/client-side process. Accordingly and for the following disclosure, licensing process 10 shall collectively refer to any and all combinations of server-side licensing process 10 and/or client-side licensing processes.

For example, server-side licensing process 10 may reside on and may be executed by server computer 12, which may be connected to network 14 (e.g., the Internet or a local area network). Examples of server computer 12 may include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, a server computer, a series of server computers, a mini computer, and a mainframe computer. Server computer 12 may be a web server (or a series of servers) running a network operating system, examples of which may include but are not limited to, Microsoft® Windows® XP Server; Novell® NetWare®; or Red Hat® Linux®, for example.

For the following discussion, communication between server computer 12 and client licensing application 22 is going to be described for illustrative purposes. However, this is not intended to be a limitation of this disclosure, as other client licensing applications (e.g., client licensing applications 24, 26, 28) may be equally utilized.

As shown in FIG. 1, a computing device, such as server computer 12 may include relational database 20. As discussed above, relational database 20 may work in conjunction with a relational database management system, which may include, but is not limited to MySQL available from Sun® Microsystems. Relational database 20 may be located in any suitable memory location such as within storage device 16 coupled to server computer 12 and/or as part of a larger cloud computing infrastructure.

In some embodiments, relational database 20 may include a number of cues. As discussed above, the term “cue” may refer to a singular musical composition. Each cue in relational database 20 may have one or more tags associated therewith, which may be used to classify and/or identify each cue. These tags may include both musical and non-musical tag information.

In some embodiments, a computing device, such as server computer 12 may be configured to receive an input from one or more client electronic device, for example, client electronic devices 38, 40, 42, 44. The input, which may be entered by a user via a client licensing application, may correspond to one or more of the tags. Server computer 12 may receive the input over network 14 and may search relational database 20 to locate one or more cues that have at least one tag that corresponds to the input entered by the user.

Relational database 20 may provide clients, such as users 46, 48, 50, and 52, with a way of searching for and discovering music in a fast, logical and efficient manner. Specifically, the systems and methods of the present disclosure may enable users such as these to search using a variety of terms that are not available and not provided for in existing music search databases.

In some embodiments, server computer 12 may allow for an assignment of one or more tags based upon, at least in part, a categorization algorithm and custom tagging. The categorization algorithm identifies related tags based on the custom, human assigned tags and relationships that currently exist in the database. The database essentially becomes “smarter” as the amount of data increases, learning from its self. Once the algorithm identifies relationships that are similar (or the same), it adds these relationships to the new cue (song). This dual approach may allow for the assignment of tags to cues using both automated and manual entry of tag information. As a result, relational database 20 may be updated periodically (e.g., on a daily basis) based on current industry and popular culture trends.

In some embodiments, relational database 20 may include a cues table, which may contain an entry for each cue in the database. For each individual cue located in the cues table there may be a plurality of description tables, which may exist to serve as descriptions for each individual cue.

For example, some description tables may include, but are not limited to, instruments, scenes, similar bands, television shows, mood, tempo, genre, subgenre, lyrics, and non-musical tags. The instrument table may identify any instruments that the cue contains (e.g., guitar, drums, cello, etc). The scene table may include the type of television or film scene this cue could fit in (e.g., break-up, love, chase, heist, etc). The similar band table may include any current or past musical artists who have a similar sound to this cue (e.g., Green Day, Coldplay, Elvis, The Beatles, etc). The television show table may identify the type of television show that this cue might fit (e.g., cooking show, reality show, sports, etc). The mood table may indicate the kind of mood that this cue fits in (e.g., happy, sad, uplifting, etc.). The tempo table may be indicative of the tempo of the cue (e.g., aggressive, slow, upbeat, etc). The genre table may identify the genre of the cue (e.g., rock, hip hop, etc). Similarly, the subgenre table may identify a sub-group to the genre (e.g., rock->indie, rap->west coast, etc). The lyric table may identify any featured lyrics in a cue (e.g., “I love you baby”, etc). The non-musical tag table may include general descriptors that may apply to a cue that do not fit in with any of the other available options. The relevant format table may identify the format of the programming that the cue might suit (e.g., drama, reality, comedy, etc.).

Some non-musical tags may include, but are not limited to: film directors who have a specific style (e.g., Wes Anderson, David Fincher, etc.); movies and shows (e.g., Greys Anatomy, Juno, Oceans 11, James Bond); popular culture references (e.g., Apple commercials, World of Warcraft, Perez Hilton, Starbucks, etc.). We relate the non-musical tags to music that inspires or incites a similar feeling or mood. For example, using James Bond as a tag would produce music that could be mysterious and sinister as well as driving (upbeat) and filled with adventure. The relationship could also be based on a style of music that this person, brand or reference is associated with (in the case for film directors, television shows and companies). For example, Starbucks would be associated with music that is fitting for a coffee shop—perhaps acoustic, singer-songwriter music.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, exemplary display panels 200, 300 and 400 associated with a client licensing application (e.g., 22, 24, 26, or 28) are shown. As discussed above, the description tables associated with relational database 20 may allow a user, e.g., user 46, 48, 50, or 52, to enter search terms that are musical and/or non-musical in nature and receive results from relational database 20 at client licensing application 22, 24, 26, and/or 28.

In some embodiments, the display panels (e.g., display panel 200) may be associated with an application, such as client licensing application 24 and may be displayed to a user at a computer (e.g., user 48 at computing device 40). Display panel 200 may include at least one search field 202, which may allow a user to enter one or more search terms. For example, and as shown in FIG. 2, a user may enter an input or term such as “acoustic”. Server computer 12 may receive the input over network 14 and may search relational database 20 to locate one or more cues that have at least one tag that corresponds to the input entered by the user. The results of this search may then be sent to the user's computer, in this example, computing device 40 for display. These cues may be displayed at search results table 204.

In some embodiments, display panel 200 may also provide the user with the ability to filter the result set using filter 206. While filter 206 displays type, genre, sub-genre, tempo and mood in FIG. 2, it is envisioned that filtering may be performed in accordance with any or all of the description tables listed above. Display panel 200 may also indicate the mood of the cue, the genre of the cue, and the date the cue was added to relational database 20 using mood field 208, genre field 210 and date added field 212. Numerous other fields may also be listed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring again to FIG. 3, a display panel 300 associated with client licensing application is shown. As discussed above, licensing process 10 may be capable of searching relational database 20 based upon a non-musical input. For example, server computer 12 may receive an input from a user (e.g., user 48 at computing device 40). In this example, the user may enter the term “Nascar” in search field 302. Server computer 12, upon receiving the input may then search memory 16 to locate one or more cues having at least one tag that corresponds to the “Nascar” input. These cues may be provided to the user and displayed in search results table 304.

In some embodiments, the licensing system of the present disclosure may be a pre-licensed music licensing system. The term “pre-licensed music” as used herein refers to music that has been cleared for use in one or more media outlets. Accordingly, all of the cues associated with relational database 20 may be licensed prior to entry within the database.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a method 400 depicting operations in accordance with licensing process 10 is provided. Operations may include storing a plurality of cues in a memory, each of the plurality of cues having a plurality of tags associated therewith, the plurality of tags including both musical and non-musical tags (402). Operations may further include receiving an input at a computing device, the input corresponding to at least one of the plurality of tags (404). Operations may also include searching the memory of the computing device to locate at least one of the plurality of cues having at least one tag that corresponds to the input (406). Numerous additional operations are also envisioned without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of aspects of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A licensing system comprising:

a memory including a plurality of cues, each of the plurality of cues having a plurality of tags associated therewith, the plurality of tags including both musical and non-musical tags; and

a computing device configured to receive an input corresponding to at least one of the plurality of tags, the computing device further configured to search the memory to locate at least one of the plurality of cues having at least one tag that corresponds to the input.

2. The licensing system of claim 1 wherein:

the plurality of cues are arranged in a cue table, each of the plurality of cues having one or more description tables associated therewith.

3. The licensing system of claim 2, wherein the one or more description tables include at least one of an instrument table, a scene table, a similar band table, a television show table, a mood table, a tempo table, a genre table, a subgenre table, a lyrics table, and a non-musical table.

4. The licensing system of claim 3, wherein the non-musical table includes at least one of film directors, movies, television shows, and popular culture references.

5. The licensing system of claim 1 wherein the licensing system is a pre-licensed music licensing system.

6. The licensing system of claim 1 wherein the computing device is further configured to provide at least one located cue having at least one tag that corresponds to the input to a client device.

7. The licensing system of claim 1 wherein the computing device allows for an assignment of one or more of the plurality of tags based upon, at least in part, a categorization algorithm and custom tagging.

8. A licensing method comprising:

storing a plurality of cues in a memory of a computing device, each of the plurality of cues having a plurality of tags associated therewith, the plurality of tags including both musical and non-musical tags;

receiving an input at a computing device, the input corresponding to at least one of the plurality of tags; and

searching the memory of the computing device to locate at least one of the plurality of cues having at least one tag that corresponds to the input.

9. The licensing method of claim 8 further comprising:

arranging the plurality of cues in a cue table, each of the plurality of cues having one or more description tables associated therewith.

10. The licensing method of claim 9, wherein the one or more description tables include at least one of an instrument table, a scene table, a similar band table, a television show table, a mood table, a tempo table, a genre table, a subgenre table, a lyrics table, and a non-musical table.

11. The licensing method of claim 10, wherein the non-musical table includes at least one of film directors, movies, television shows, and popular culture references.

12. The licensing method of claim 8 wherein the licensing system is a pre-licensed music licensing system.

13. The licensing method of claim 8 further comprising providing, via the computing device, at least one located cue having at least one tag that corresponds to the input to a client device.

14. The licensing method of claim 8 further comprising allowing, via the computing device, for an assignment of one or more of the plurality of tags based upon, at least in part, a categorization algorithm and custom tagging.

15. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

storing a plurality of cues in a memory of a computing device, each of the plurality of cues having a plurality of tags associated therewith, the plurality of tags including both musical and non-musical tags;

receiving an input at the computing device, the input corresponding to at least one of the plurality of tags; and

searching the memory of the computing device to locate at least one of the plurality of cues having at least one tag that corresponds to the input.

16. The computer program product of claim 15 further comprising:

arranging the plurality of cues in a cue table, each of the plurality of cues having one or more description tables associated therewith.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the one or more description tables include at least one of an instrument table, a scene table, a similar band table, a television show table, a mood table, a tempo table, a genre table, a subgenre table, a lyrics table, and a non-musical table.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the non-musical table includes at least one of film directors, movies, television shows, and popular culture references.

19. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the licensing system is a pre-licensed music licensing system.

20. The computer program product of claim 15 further comprising providing, via the computing device, at least one located cue having at least one tag that corresponds to the input to a client device.

21. The computer program product of claim 15 further comprising allowing, via the computing device, for an assignment of one or more of the plurality of tags based upon, at least in part, a categorization algorithm and custom tagging.