METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED INFORMATION TRANSACTIONS

摘要

A method and system for making information available of a computer system and compensating information owners or creators for access to said information. In various aspects, the invention provides a mechanism for giving users meaningful access to information via a computer system and network while protecting the interests of publishers and creators in information. The invention provides a solution for information including, but not limited to: text, graphics, photos, executable files, data tables, audio, video, and three dimensional data. In a further aspect, the invention comprises a new method for allowing a user to review a document while connected to a network but prevents the user from downloading, printing, or copying the document unless a fee is paid. In a further aspect, the invention comprises a new method for allowing a user to review documents at a first cost basis (which may be free), but only provides other access to documents, such as copying, printing, or downloading on a second cost basis. In a further aspect, the invention comprises a new method for allowing a user to purchase a selectable portion of a document at a price based on the amount of material selected where that amount of material can include a portion of a document, an entire document, or an anthology of components of multiple documents.