Timothy R Mccully

US Patent:

7249383, Jul 24, 2007

Filed:

Jan 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/354302

Inventors:

Timothy R. McCully - Houston TX, US
Matthew N. Garner - Sugar Land TX, US

International Classification:

G06F 21/22
G06Q 99/00

US Classification:

726 28, 705 52, 705 58

Abstract:

A method is provided for detecting and tracking piracy of proprietary materials marketed and distributed on various types of media and multi-media products. A particular media product is assigned a product identification number, and each copy of the media product is assigned a serial number. Each serial number may also be sequentially assigned a sequence number. A website is provided for consumers of the media product, and access to certain aspects of the website are controlled by use of a valid combination of the product identification number and a serial number, and by use of identifying information assigned for a user to each valid combination. Invalid entries prompt an information request from the website, which information is analyzed for determining potential instances of piracy. Piracy reports based on such information and such analysis may also be prepared and provided to owners or controllers of the proprietary materials.