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Apple Patent Applications Address User-to-User Resale and Lending of iTunes Store Content
A set of patent applications discovered by AppleInsider today suggests that Apple may be considering allowing customers to resell or lend iTunes Store content to other users in the same way they might sell a physical book, music CD or movie DVD.
Apple's system is similar to one outlined in a separate patent already granted to Amazon, although Amazon's approach requires transactions to be made via a central marketplace while Apple's proposed approach would also allow direct user-to-user transfers.
The patent covers gifting and loan as well as resale, and outlines an option for the content publisher to receive a cut in return for granting rights to transfer the content.
It should of course be noted that Apple files a huge number of patent applications, only a tiny minority of which ever see the light of day in an Apple product or service, but it is interesting to see Apple at least exploring the idea.
Apple's system is similar to one outlined in a separate patent already granted to Amazon, although Amazon's approach requires transactions to be made via a central marketplace while Apple's proposed approach would also allow direct user-to-user transfers.
Techniques are provided for managing access to a digital content item (such as an ebook, music, movie, software application) to be transferred from one user to another. The transferor is prevented from accessing the digital content item after the transfer occurs. The entity that sold the digital content item to the transferor enforces the access rights to the digital content item by storing data that establishes which user currently has access to the digital content item. After the change in access rights, only the transferee is allowed access to the digital content item. As part of the change in access rights, the transferee may pay to obtain access to the digital content item. A portion of the proceeds of the "resale" may be paid to the creator or publisher of the digital content item and/or the entity that originally sold the digital content item to the original owner.Restrictions are outlined to prevent abuse of the facility, such as allowing publishers to limit transfers to certain timescales (for example, requiring the user to have owned the product for a certain length of time before selling it), frequency (limiting how often someone could sell their content), price (enforcing a minimum price) and buyer (perhaps limiting sales to within the country of origin).
The patent covers gifting and loan as well as resale, and outlines an option for the content publisher to receive a cut in return for granting rights to transfer the content.
It should of course be noted that Apple files a huge number of patent applications, only a tiny minority of which ever see the light of day in an Apple product or service, but it is interesting to see Apple at least exploring the idea.
Tag: patent
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91 months ago
Yet more DRM. Thanks but no thanks, Apple. I will continue to buy nothing from the iStore.
Techniques are provided for managing access to a digital content item (such as an ebook, music, movie, software application) to be transferred from one user to another. The transferor is prevented from accessing the digital content item after the transfer occurs.
91 months ago
So Apple (and others) create a problem (which everyone loves and doesn't think it's a problem) - now they will "fix" the problem and possibly charge for it - and people will rejoice?
:rolleyes:
Judging solely from this thread, it would seem that you are 100% correct in your analysis.
91 months ago
I'd love to see this happen. I'd even give Apple 30% because if they facilitate this and make it easy to do then it's worth it. Everyone benefits. Right now there's no way to resell anything I buy digitally (content) like there is with DVD/BluRay/CD. Bargain hunters can find what they are looking for cheaper and some people can raise some extra cash if they need it. Probably would spur people into trying things they wouldn't have tried otherwise.
I saw the article about Amazon's approach earlier. I'm just glad that we're reaching a point where a digital second-hand marketplace might become a reality.
So Apple (and others) create a problem (which everyone loves and doesn't think it's a problem) - now they will "fix" the problem and possibly charge for it - and people will rejoice?
:rolleyes:
91 months ago
Reselling of books could be a brilliant idea.
Split the profit on the resell between you and Apple/publisher and there would be an army of used book salesman out there pushing their old books onto friends. Could be win win all around.
Why should I split any revenue with Apple or the publisher when I sell my old books?
Do you have to give Chevrolet a cut when you sell your old car? If suddenly you had to sell your used car through Chevrolet's used car lot, and you had to split your money with them, would you be happy?
If not, then why does such an scheme with digital content make you happy?
91 months ago
In the world we live in today, I can lend you a book, and authors and publishers seem to be doing okay: the same should apply with this digital model.
If the authors and publishers had their way, public libraries would be just as illegal as any other sort of distribution that they cannot make a profit from.
Look at the history of the First Sale Doctrine.
And you don't need additional DRM to lend your digital copies to your friend. Not yet, anyways. You are free to do so any time you wish, with no legal repercussions, no thanks to the authors and the publishers.
This new thing by apple will NOT increase your ability to do anything. It will only put additional screws into consumers.
91 months ago
If this ever goes through, I bet the resale will happen through iTunes and Apple will get some share of that resale. Even though the article says user-to-user, I doubt it will happen.
91 months ago
If this ever goes through, I bet the resale will happen through iTunes and Apple will get some share of that resale. Even though the article says user-to-user, I doubt it will happen.
Way to go! Finding something negative!
91 months ago
Way to go! Finding something negative!
Why? Just because it's Apple does not mean I have to be positive.
Negative perhaps - but realistic.
Exactly!
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