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.