You can freely build on How to Play Any Media Playlist by Converting it to a Standard Format
This patent expired in 2021. Every claim — 0 independent, 1 dependent — is now unenforceable. Anyone can use, reproduce, manufacture, sell, or offer for sale this technology without a license.
Original assignee
Microsoft Corp
Patent granted
2006
Expired
2021
Forward citations
92
What this patent covers
This patent details a method for managing and streaming media content by first handling different playlist formats. A computing device accesses a "first playlist" that uses a "non-canonical data format" (Claim 1). It then uses one of several "translators" to convert this first playlist into a "canonical playlist format," creating a "second playlist" (Claim 1). Once in this standard format, the system can retrieve and stream the media content referenced by the second playlist (Claim 1, 2). For example, a server could receive a playlist from a user's old media player, convert it to a standard web format, and then stream those songs to their phone. The system can even dynamically interrupt a media item being streamed to insert another one or change the playlist order (Claim 13, 14, 15).
What is now free to use
All 1 claims of US 6990497 are in the public domain. Specifically:
The 1 dependent claim add narrowing limitations and are also free.
What is NOT covered
Patent expiry frees this specific invention. Separately-patented improvements made after expiry may still be protected.
Does not cover systems that only use a single, proprietary playlist format from creation to playback without any translation step.
Does not cover media players that simply play different media file formats without translating the underlying playlist structure.
Does not cover managing media content that is not referenced by a playlist, such as playing individual files directly.
Does not cover systems where playlist modifications cannot happen dynamically while content is actively streaming to a client.
Does not cover the conversion of the media content itself, only the playlist that references the content.
Who is building on this today
Companies like Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Amazon continue to build on the principles of managing diverse media content. Their streaming services and media platforms often need to handle various playlist formats or integrate content from different sources, relying on similar underlying architectural concepts for interoperability and dynamic content delivery.
Products built on expired version of this technology
Early versions of Windows Media Player handling various playlist types
Media servers that consolidate playlists from different user devices
Music streaming services that import playlists from competing platforms
Podcast apps that manage episodes from diverse RSS feeds
How to cite this patent in your documentation
Microsoft Corp. US Patent 6990497. Dynamic streaming media management. Granted 2006, expired 2021. Now in the public domain.
Note: This is a convenience citation. Consult a patent attorney for formal freedom-to-operate analysis.
PatentBrief is an educational resource and does not provide legal advice. Patent expiration information is derived from USPTO records and may not reflect continuation patents, divisional filings, or separately-patented improvements. For commercial use or production decisions, obtain a formal freedom-to-operate (FTO) opinion from a registered patent attorney.