A system and method for providing temporary access to content during shipping. In one embodiment, the system may include a retail web site configured to allow a user to purchase one or more content items via the Internet. The system may also include a temporary content server storing digital copies of at least a portion of at least a subset of the one or more content items. A network interface may be used to connect the temporary content server to the Internet. The temporary content server may be configured to provide the user with temporary access to selected portions of the stored digital copies. The selected portions correspond to the content items purchased by the user. The temporary content server is configured to prevent the user from accessing the stored digital copies once the server has detected that the user has received the ordered content items.