UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
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`United Stntes Pntent nnd Trndcmnrk Office
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`Certified by
`
`Under Secretary of Commerce
`for lntelJectual Property
`and Director of the United States
`Patent and Trademark Office
`
`0001
`
`Roku EX1009
`U.S. Pat. No. 9,715,581
`Roku v. Media Chain
`
`

`

`l:hf: C<,d;,: PA.
`Pl'O!AfA18-?.B l'07-12}
`Aiipm\'OO for u~ thmugh 11i30/2t)14. •OMS. 0051-0035
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`U.S. P,d~nt .tmi Tnirl~mmrk 0ffl¢e; u,s. m=-:rAATh!ENT OF COMMERCE
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`Under lne Pl."llWM'Otk ROOillt.-:&in Act cl 19£6, oo ~iwtis m-e r~u.md U:s t~ponci lD a ~-m&-m cl 1i1ffif!Y~c,1il:m ,m~>& it ~ - s « '>"<!lid Q\-18 ~:iti!ml l1unlt.,;~
`
`I hereby revoke aH previous powers of attorney given ln the apphcatlon Identified io the attached transmittal letter.
`
`q r eb y appoint Praciitionm{s) •-with the following C"""''""' Number as mylot,r attomey(s) or agent(s), an
`I
`nsact all bUSlness in the United States Patent and Trademark Office connected tne-rewith for the application refore~
`~ 1he attached transmitt>l lo- (fom, PTOIA!A/82A or oqujvslent}·
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`2687 5
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`
`I hereby appoint Pra~~ionet"{"s) named hel.-Ow as my/o.t.1rattomey(s) or ag-ent(s), and to transact aH business in the
`1 Jnited States Patent and Trademark Office connected fuerew1th fur the application refereno~d in !he attached
`ransmittat letter (form PTO/Ai.Ai82A or equivalent):
`
`Name
`
`Registration
`Number
`
`Name
`
`Registration
`Number
`
`Please recognlze or change the correspondence addre:ss fur the appllcatkm identified 1n the attached
`ransmittal letter to:
`
`I
`I
`
`OR
`
`OR
`
`I The address <:lSSociated !o~ih the above-mentioned Cus1crner Number:
`I
`I The address associated wrth Customer Number:
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`I
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`I *
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`Address
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`City
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`Country
`Telephone
`l am the Applicant:
`
`I smte I
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`I Zip I
`
`Email l
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`I X J Inventor or Jomt lnvent<n'
`j Legal Representative of a Deceesed or Legally tncaµaci~ted Inventor
`(
`[
`I
`
`f A,.')signee or Perscr't to Vvhom the tnventor m Under an Ob-ltgation to Ass:lgn
`
`· Person Who othe™'~e Shows a Sufficient Proprietary l~me~t (e.g,,,. a petitton under 37 CFR 1. 46(bJ(2) ·'1\
`granted io the <llppliootion or is coneuffen-t!y being filed wtth thl$ docmnent}
`
`!signature
`
`Name
`
`SIGNATURE of Applicant for Patent
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`bate
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`Telephone
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`11/1/rt-.
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`0002
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`

`

`DE:(,] iABATION Gi7. CEB J ,fiJ) FOB Uin .. rrv UR QESJGN APPl,1J!;,ATION USING AN
`APPJJCATtQrs l,)ATA SHEE'I Q7 CFR ls7§)
`
`,A.ttnrney Docket No. BESTES 7US
`
`Title of Invention: Digital tvfediai Reproduction and Licensing
`
`As the be1ow named inventor, I hereby declare that:
`
`This Declaration is directed to:
`
`@rhe attached application
`OR
`r-~-;
`lJUnited States AppHcatfon Number or PCT lnternationai Application
`filed on
`Number
`
`The above-identified application was made or authorized to be made by me.
`
`I believe that I am the original inventor or an original joint inventor of a claimed
`invention in the above-identified .apphcation_
`
`l have reviewed and understand the contents of the above-identified application,
`including the claims.
`
`I am aware of the duty to disclose to the United Statt.~ Patent and Trademark
`Office all information known to me to be material to patentabitity as defined in 37 CJ:S..R. § 1.56.
`
`I hereby acknowledge that any ,v:iH1i.d false statement rnade in this Dedarntion is
`punishable under 18-U,S.C, 1001 by fine o-r imprisonment of not1110-re than five (5) years, or
`both.
`
`Legal na-rne of Inventor:
`
`Invcntor1s Si6rnature:
`Residence City/State/
`C01intry:
`
`Mailing AddresK
`
`Citizenship;
`
`C b r i s ~ - - - - - - (cid:173)
`
`Na~hviHe, TNl-l)nited States of America
`402 Belle Point Dr.
`_ .. ..,·· .. -- .. ·
`NashvUle~ Tennessee 37221
`tJS
`
`.
`
`Pagel of 1
`
`0003
`
`

`

`Electronic Patent Application Fee Transmittal
`
`Application Number:
`
`Filing Date:
`
`Title of Invention:
`
`DIGITAL MEDIA REPRODUCTION AND LICENSING
`
`First Named Inventor/Applicant Name:
`
`Christopher Estes
`
`Filer:
`
`John Paul Davis/Lis O'Brien
`
`Attorney Docket Number:
`
`BESTES-7US
`
`Filed as Small Entity
`
`Utility under 35 USC 111 (a) Filing Fees
`
`Description
`
`Fee Code
`
`Quantity
`
`Amount
`
`Sub-Total in
`USO($)
`
`Utility filing Fee (Electronic filing)
`
`Utility Search Fee
`
`Utility Examination Fee
`
`4011
`
`2111
`
`2311
`
`1
`
`1
`
`1
`
`98
`
`310
`
`125
`
`98
`
`310
`
`125
`
`Basic Filing:
`
`Pages:
`
`Claims:
`
`Independent claims in excess of 3
`
`2201
`
`1
`
`125
`
`125
`
`Miscellaneous-Filing:
`
`Petition:
`
`0004
`
`

`

`Description
`
`Fee Code
`
`Quantity
`
`Amount
`
`Sub-Total in
`USO($)
`
`Patent-Appeals-and-Interference:
`
`Post-Allowance-and-Post-Issuance:
`
`Extension-of-Time:
`
`Miscellaneous:
`
`Total in USD ($)
`
`658
`
`0005
`
`

`

`Electronic Acknowledgement Receipt
`
`EFSID:
`
`Application Number:
`
`14138068
`
`13667629
`
`International Application Number:
`
`Confirmation Number:
`
`2832
`
`Title of Invention:
`
`DIGITAL MEDIA REPRODUCTION AND LICENSING
`
`First Named Inventor/Applicant Name:
`
`Christopher Estes
`
`Customer Number:
`
`26875
`
`Filer:
`
`John Paul Davis/Lis O'Brien
`
`Filer Authorized By:
`
`John Paul Davis
`
`Attorney Docket Number:
`
`BESTES-7US
`
`Receipt Date:
`
`02-NOV-2012
`
`Filing Date:
`
`Time Stamp:
`
`16:13:52
`
`Application Type:
`
`Utility under 35 USC 111 (a)
`
`Payment information:
`
`Submitted with Payment
`
`Payment Type
`
`Payment was successfully received in RAM
`
`RAM confirmation Number
`
`Deposit Account
`
`Authorized User
`
`yes
`
`Credit Card
`
`$658
`
`3027
`
`233000
`
`DAVIS,JOHN PAUL
`
`The Director of the USPTO is hereby authorized to charge indicated fees and credit any overpayment as follows:
`
`Charge any Additional Fees required under 37 C.F.R. Section 1.16 (National application filing, search, and examination fees)
`
`Charge any Additional Fees required under 37 C.F.R. Section 1.17 (Patent application and reexamination processing fees)
`
`0006
`
`

`

`File Listing:
`
`Document
`Number
`
`Document Description
`
`File Name
`
`File Size(Bytes)/
`Message Digest
`
`Multi
`Part /.zip
`
`Pages
`(if appl.)
`
`997957
`
`1
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`Application Data Sheet
`
`Application_Data_Sheet.PDF
`
`no
`
`5
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`fd 963a 7 c92485 b4cdfb5 c6 7 4087 d bd 3 3a64
`c8d1d
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`Warnings:
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`Information:
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`2
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`BESTES-7US_Application.PDF
`
`yes
`
`27
`
`175722
`
`c705b68d8f8decd6a32834b0b2ed8ac3d93
`c6a45
`
`Multipart Description/PDF files in .zip description
`
`Document Description
`
`Start
`
`End
`
`Specification
`
`Claims
`
`Abstract
`
`Warnings:
`
`Information:
`
`3
`
`Drawings-only black and white line
`drawings
`
`Warnings:
`
`Information:
`
`21
`
`26
`
`27
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`1
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`22
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`27
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`604509
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`Bestes-7US_Drawings.PDF
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`no
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`7
`
`7 ef91 09d 1 a2152d7f1 f8d 1 0c906f3464cdda
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`Oath or Declaration filed
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`Power_of_Attorney_and_Decla
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`3348071
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`8c7cda37fe7841 d24e6f87b8bc4624ad 189
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`Total Files Size (in bytes)
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`5163018
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`0007
`
`

`

`This Acknowledgement Receipt evidences receipt on the noted date by the USPTO of the indicated documents,
`characterized by the applicant, and including page counts, where applicable. It serves as evidence of receipt similar to a
`Post Card, as described in MPEP 503.
`
`New Applications Under 35 U.S.C. 111
`If a new application is being filed and the application includes the necessary components for a filing date (see 37 CFR
`1.53(b)-(d) and MPEP 506), a Filing Receipt (37 CFR 1.54) will be issued in due course and the date shown on this
`Acknowledgement Receipt will establish the filing date of the application.
`
`National Stage of an International Application under 35 U.S.C. 371
`If a timely submission to enter the national stage of an international application is compliant with the conditions of 35
`U.S.C. 371 and other applicable requirements a Form PCT/DO/EO/903 indicating acceptance of the application as a
`national stage submission under 35 U.S.C. 371 will be issued in addition to the Filing Receipt, in due course.
`
`New International Application Filed with the USPTO as a Receiving Office
`If a new international application is being filed and the international application includes the necessary components for
`an international filing date (see PCT Article 11 and MPEP 181 O), a Notification of the International Application Number
`and of the International Filing Date (Form PCT/RO/1 OS) will be issued in due course, subject to prescriptions concerning
`national security, and the date shown on this Acknowledgement Receipt will establish the international filing date of
`the application.
`
`0008
`
`

`

`PTO/AIN14 (08-12)
`Approved for use through 01/31/2014. 0MB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it contains a valid 0MB control number.
`
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`
`Attorney Docket Number
`
`BESTES-7US
`
`Application Number
`
`Title of Invention
`
`Digital Media Reproduction and Licensing
`
`The application data sheet is part of the provisional or nonprovisional application for which it is being submitted. The following form contains the
`bibliographic data arranged in a format specified by the United States Patent and Trademark Office as outlined in 37 CFR 1.76.
`This document may be completed electronically and submitted to the Office in electronic format using the Electronic Filing System (EFS) or the
`document may be printed and included in a paper filed application.
`
`Secrecy Order 37 CFR 5.2
`Portions or all of the application associated with this Application Data Sheet may fall under a Secrecy Order pursuant to
`D 37 CFR 5.2 (Paper filers only. Applications that fall under Secrecy Order may not be filed electronically.)
`Inventor Information:
`
`1
`Inventor
`Legal Name
`
`I Remove I
`
`Prefix Given Name
`
`Middle Name
`
`Family Name
`
`Suffix
`
`Mr.
`Christopher
`Estes
`Residence Information (Select One) (!) US Residency 0 Non US Residency O Active US Military Service
`I State/Province I TN
`I Country of Residence i I US
`City
`Nashville
`
`Mailing Address of Inventor:
`
`402 Belle Point Dr.
`
`Address 1
`Address 2
`City
`I Nashville
`Postal Code
`
`I State/Province
`I Country 1
`1 us
`All Inventors Must Be Listed - Additional Inventor Information blocks may be
`generated within this form by selecting the Add button.
`
`1 31221
`
`I TN
`
`I Add
`
`I
`
`Correspondence Information:
`Enter either Customer Number or complete the Correspondence Information section below.
`For further information see 37 CFR 1.33(a).
`D An Address is being provided for the correspondence Information of this application.
`Customer Number
`26875
`
`Email Address
`
`USPTODOC@whe-law.com
`
`Application Information:
`
`I I Add Email I
`
`!Remove Emaill
`
`Title of the Invention
`
`Attorney Docket Number BESTES-7US
`
`Digital Media Reproduction and Licensing
`I Small Entity Status Claimed ~
`
`Application Type
`
`Nonprovisional
`
`Subject Matter
`Suggested Class (if any)
`Suggested Technology Center (if any)
`
`Utility
`
`Isub Class (if any)
`
`I
`
`Total Number of Drawing Sheets (if any)
`
`I Suggested Figure for Publication (if any) I
`
`EFS Web 2.2.3
`
`0009
`
`

`

`PTO/AIN14 (08-12)
`Approved for use through 01/31/2014. 0MB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it contains a valid 0MB control number.
`
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`
`Attorney Docket Number
`
`BESTES-7US
`
`Application Number
`
`Title of Invention
`
`Digital Media Reproduction and Licensing
`
`Publication Information:
`D Request Early Publication (Fee required at time of Request 37 CFR 1.219)
`Request Not to Publish. I hereby request that the attached application not be published under
`~ 35 U.S.C. 122(b) and certify that the invention disclosed in the attached application has not and will not be the
`subject of an application filed in another country, or under a multilateral international agreement, that requires
`publication at eighteen months after filing.
`
`Representative Information:
`
`Representative information should be provided for all practitioners having a power of attorney in the application. Providing
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`Either enter Customer Number or complete the Representative Name section below. If both sections are completed the customer
`Number will be used for the Representative Information during processing.
`
`Please Select One:
`
`Customer Number
`
`® Customer Number
`26875
`
`I O US Patent Practitioner 10 Limited Recognition (37 CFR 11.9)
`
`Domestic Benefit/National Stage Information:
`This section allows for the applicant to either claim benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e), 120, 121, or 365(c) or indicate
`National Stage entry from a PCT application. Providing this information in the application data sheet constitutes the
`specific reference required by 35 U.S.C. 119(e) or 120, and 37 CFR 1.78.
`I Remove I
`Filing Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
`
`Application Number
`
`Continuity Type
`
`Prior Application Number
`
`Prior Application Status Pending
`
`non provisional of
`
`61555810
`
`Additional Domestic Benefit/National Stage Data may be generated within this form
`by selecting the Add button.
`
`2011-11-04
`I Add I
`
`Foreign Priority Information:
`This section allows for the applicant to claim benefit of foreign priority and to identify any prior foreign application for which priority is
`not claimed. Providing this information in the application data sheet constitutes the claim for priority as required by 35 U.S.C. 119(b)
`and 37 CFR 1.55(a).
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`Priority Claimed
`0 Yes 0 No
`I Add I
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`Additional Foreign Priority Data may be generated within this form by selecting the
`Add button.
`
`EFS Web 2.2.3
`
`0010
`
`

`

`PTO/AIN14 (08-12)
`Approved for use through 01/31/2014. 0MB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it contains a valid 0MB control number.
`
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`
`Attorney Docket Number
`
`BESTES-7US
`
`Application Number
`
`Title of Invention
`
`Digital Media Reproduction and Licensing
`
`Authorization to Permit Access:
`
`~ Authorization to Permit Access to the Instant Application by the Participating Offices
`
`If checked, the undersigned hereby grants the USPTO authority to provide the European Patent Office (EPO),
`the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO),
`and any other intellectual property offices in which a foreign application claiming priority to the instant patent application
`is filed access to the instant patent application. See 37 CFR 1.14(c) and (h). This box should not be checked if the applicant
`does not wish the EPO, JPO, KIPO, WIPO, or other intellectual property office in which a foreign application claiming priority
`to the instant patent application is filed to have access to the instant patent application.
`
`In accordance with 37 CFR 1.14(h)(3), access will be provided to a copy of the instant patent application with respect
`to: 1) the instant patent application-as-filed; 2) any foreign application to which the instant patent application
`claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d) if a copy of the foreign application that satisfies the certified copy requirement of
`37 CFR 1.55 has been filed in the instant patent application; and 3) any U.S. application-as-filed from which benefit is
`sought in the instant patent application.
`
`In accordance with 37 CFR 1.14(c), access may be provided to information concerning the dale offiling this Authorization.
`
`Applicant Information:
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`Providing assignment information in this section does not substitute for compliance with any requirement of part 3 of Title 37 of CFR
`to have an assignment recorded by the Office.
`
`Applicant 1
`If the applicant is the inventor (or the remaining joint inventor or inventors under 37 CFR 1.45), this section should not be completed.
`The information to be provided in this section is the name and address of the legal representative who is the applicant under 37 CFR
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`applicant under 37 CFR 1.46 (assignee, person to whom the inventor is obligated to assign, or person who otherwise shows sufficient
`proprietary interest) together with one or more joint inventors, then the joint inventor or inventors who are also the applicant should be
`identified in this section.
`
`I Remove I
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`Assignee
`
`0
`0
`If applicant is the legal representative, indicate the authority to file the patent application, the inventor is:
`
`Person to whom the inventor is obligated to assign.
`
`Person who shows sufficient proprietary interest
`
`lo Legal Representative under 35 U.S.C. 117
`lo
`
`Name of the Deceased or Legally Incapacitated Inventor : I
`D
`
`If the Assignee is an Organization check here.
`
`Prefix
`
`Given Name
`
`Middle Name
`
`Family Name
`
`Suffix
`
`I
`
`EFS Web 2.2.3
`
`0011
`
`

`

`PTO/AIN14 (08-12)
`Approved for use through 01/31/2014. 0MB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it contains a valid 0MB control number.
`
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`
`Attorney Docket Number
`
`BESTES-7US
`
`Application Number
`
`Title of Invention
`
`Digital Media Reproduction and Licensing
`
`Mailing Address Information:
`
`Address 1
`
`Address 2
`
`City
`
`Country ii
`
`Phone Number
`
`Email Address
`
`State/Province
`
`Postal Code
`
`Fax Number
`
`Additional Applicant Data may be generated within this form by selecting the Add button.
`
`I Add I
`
`Signature:
`NOTE: This form must be signed in accordance with 37 CFR 1.33. See 37 CFR 1.4 for signature requirements and
`certifications
`
`Remove
`
`Signature
`
`/John Paul Davis/
`
`Date (YYYY-MM-DD) 2012-11-02
`
`First Name
`
`John
`
`I Last Name I Davis
`
`Additional Signature may be generated within this form by selecting the Add button.
`
`Registration Number
`I Add I
`
`52798
`
`This collection of information is required by 37 CFR 1.76. The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which
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`EFS Web 2.2.3
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`0012
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`

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`A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, in the course of presenting evidence to a court, magistrate, or
`administrative tribunal, including disclosures to opposing counsel in the course of settlement negotiations.
`
`A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Member of Congress submitting a request involving an
`individual, to whom the record pertains, when the individual has requested assistance from the Member with respect to the subject matter of
`the record.
`
`A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a contractor of the Agency having need for the information in
`order to perform a contract. Recipients of information shall be required to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as
`amended, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(m).
`
`A record related to an International Application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty in this system of records may be disclosed,
`as a routine use, to the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization, pursuant to the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
`
`A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to another federal agency for purposes of National Security
`review (35 U.S.C. 181) and for review pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act (42 U.S.C. 218(c)).
`
`A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the Administrator, General Services, or his/her designee,
`during an inspection of records conducted by GSA as part of that agency's responsibility to recommend improvements in records
`management practices and programs, under authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906. Such disclosure shall be made in accordance with the
`GSA regulations governing inspection of records for this purpose, and any other relevant (i.e., GSA or Commerce) directive. Such
`disclosure shall not be used to make determinations about individuals.
`
`A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the public after either publication of the application pursuan
`to 35 U.S.C. 122(b) or issuance of a patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 151. Further, a record may be disclosed, subject to the limitations of 37
`CFR 1.14, as a routine use, to the public if the record was filed in an application which became abandoned or in which the proceedings were
`terminated and which application is referenced by either a published application, an application open to public inspections or an issued
`patent.
`
`9.
`
`A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency, if the
`USPTO becomes aware of a violation or potential violation of law or regulation.
`
`EFS Web 2.2.3
`
`0013
`
`

`

`DIGITAL MEDIA REPRODUCTION AND LICENSING
`
`FIELD
`
`[0001]
`
`Embodiments relate to licensing digital media for reproduction, and more
`
`specifically to a digital media licensing system for licensing and enabling reproduction of
`
`digital media on a reproduction device.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002]
`
`Conventionally, the distribution of media content, such as music, movies, and
`
`books for example, is in large part controlled by owners who are the rights-holders of the
`
`media content. In conventional systems, the media content is incorporated into a physical
`
`media such as a compact disk (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), a printed publication,
`
`and/or any other physical media. In such conventional systems, the rights-holders of the
`
`media content are able to control licensing of the media content, the production of
`
`physical media copies of the media content, and/or the distribution of the media content
`
`to customers and/or third party retailers and thereby monetize the media content.
`
`[0003]
`
`There has been a dramatic shift in the marketplace away from media content
`
`distributed on physical media to digital media content that may be distributed via the
`
`internet. Conventionally, rights-holders of digital media content have significantly less
`
`control over the distribution of such digital media content as compared to the distribution
`
`of physical media. For example, a party that does not hold rights of the digital media
`
`content may reproduce the digital media content and then distribute the digital media
`
`content via the internet without the permission of the actual rights-holder of the digital
`
`media content. As a result, the actual-rights holder of the digital media content cannot
`
`monetize the unauthorized distribution of the digital media content.
`
`[0004]
`
`The inability of rights-holders of digital media content to monetize the
`
`unauthorized distribution of the digital media content limits the financial gain that rights(cid:173)
`
`holders of the digital media content obtain in creating the original digital media content.
`
`Often times such unauthorized distribution of the digital media content prohibits the
`
`rights-holders of the digital media from covering the costs of creating the original digital
`
`media content which discourages creation of digital media content.
`
`0014
`
`

`

`- 2 -
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY
`
`[0005]
`
`Embodiments relate to monetizing the reproduction of digital media content for
`
`the rights-holder of the digital media content.
`
`In an embodiment, a computer
`
`implemented method provides a multimedia hardware device a capability to generate an
`
`authorized reproduction of a media content item included in a digital media file. A
`
`digital media file that includes a media content item may be loaded for reproduction. The
`
`digital media file may be analyzed to identify digital media information associated with
`
`the media content item. A license database may be accessed to determine whether a user
`
`is licensed to reproduce the media content item based on the digital media information.
`
`The media content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed to reproduce the
`
`media content item based on the digital media information. A licensing query may be
`
`provided to the user when the user is not licensed to reproduce the media content item to
`
`prompt the user to select to acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to
`
`decline the license to reproduce the media content item.
`
`[0006]
`
`In another embodiment, a system provides a media content licensing and
`
`verification system to license media content for reproduction. A transceiver may receive
`
`a media licensing request from an external device associated with a user. The media
`
`licensing request may include digital media information associated with a media content
`
`item included in a digital media file. A processor may access a media catalog database
`
`that includes a plurality of media content records where a media content record from the
`
`plurality of media content records is associated with the media content item. The
`
`processor may also determine whether the media licensing request is to be granted based
`
`on the media content record stored in the media catalog database that is associated with
`
`the media content item. The processor may grant the media licensing request for the
`
`external device when the media content record associated with the media content item
`
`verifies the granting of the license for the media content item to the external device. The
`
`processor may also decline the media licensing request for the external device when the
`
`media content record associated with the media content item does not verify the granting
`
`of the license for the media content item to the external device.
`
`WHE Ref. No. BESTES-07
`
`0015
`
`

`

`- 3 -
`
`[0007]
`
`Further embodiments, features, and advantages, as well as the structure and
`
`operation of the various embodiments, are described in detail below with reference to the
`
`accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES
`
`[0008]
`
`Embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the
`
`drawings, like reference numbers may indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
`
`[0009]
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a digital media file licensing and authorized reproduction
`
`system, according to an embodiment;
`
`[0010]
`
`FIG. 2 illustrates a second digital media file licensing and authorized reproduction
`
`system, according to an embodiment;
`
`[0011]
`
`FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an exemplary aspect of operation for the
`
`media content licensing and verification system to analyze a received catalog of media
`
`content and manage the catalog of media content, according to an embodiment;
`
`[0012]
`
`FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an exemplary aspect of operation for the
`
`external multimedia hardware device, according to an embodiment;
`
`[0013]
`
`FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an exemplary aspect of operation for the
`
`media content licensing and verification system to receive a payment for a license to
`
`reproduce a digital media file, according to an embodiment;
`
`[0014]
`
`FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart illustrating an exemplary aspect of operation for the
`
`media content licensing and verification system to receive licensing information from a
`
`third party media retailer, according to an embodiment; and
`
`[0015]
`
`FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart illustrating an exemplary aspect of operation for the
`
`media content licensing and verification system to receive a third-party request for
`
`licensing statistics.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0016]
`
`The digital media file licensing and authorized reproduction system provides a
`
`capability to ensure that a user possesses a license to reproduce a digital media file and if
`
`the user does not have a license, providing to the user the option to obtain such a license.
`
`In the Detailed Description herein, references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment",
`
`WHE Ref. No. BESTES-07
`
`0016
`
`

`

`- 4 -
`
`an "example embodiment", etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a
`
`particular feature, structure, or characteristic, by every embodiment may not necessarily
`
`include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not
`
`necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,
`
`structure, or characteristic may be described in connection with an embodiment, it may
`
`be submitted that it may be within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such
`
`feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not
`
`explicitly described.
`
`Overview
`
`[0017]
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a digital media file licensing and authorized reproduction system
`
`30 in which embodiments or portions thereof, may be implemented. Digital media file
`
`licensing and authorized reproduction system 30 includes an external multimedia
`
`hardware device 10, a network 12, a media content licensing and verification system 16,
`
`a media content rights-holders system 18, a third party online media retailers system 20,
`
`and a hardware device manufacturers system 22.
`
`[0018]
`
`System 30 may monetize the reproduction of a media content item included
`
`within a digital media file. Reproduction of a media content item may include
`
`reproducing sound from a digital audio file, reproducing video from a digital video file,
`
`reproducing text from a digital text file, and/or any other reproduction of a digital media
`
`file that will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) without departing from the
`
`spirit and scope of the disclosure.
`
`[0019]
`
`Reproduction may be defined as a first use by a user of th