Method and system for determining market demand based on consumer contributions

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and a system to determine a market need before any monies are spent to produce and commercialize an artist. A method and system for determining the market demand for an artist comprising: receiving user input to determine which artist to select from a pool of artists; determining the market demand for said selected artist based on users contributing to a fund for said artist; and producing selected artists that attain a predefined level of user contributions.

1 . A method for supporting an artist, comprising: 
 receiving by one or more CPUs user contributions for the artist;    calculating by the one or more CPUs the amount of user contributions that have been received;    determining by the one or more CPUs whether a certain level of user contributions have been achieved;    after the certain level of user contributions has been achieved, distributing the user contributions to at least the artist; and    preventing distribution of the user contributions to the artist if the certain level of user contributions is not achieved.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein preventing distribution of the user contributions is achieved by giving a refund of the user contributions.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein preventing distribution of the user contributions is achieved by associating the user contributions with a different artist.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein preventing distribution of the user contributions is achieved by putting the user contributions in a user account.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user contributions are received through a Web site.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a user selection of the artist.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a privilege to a user after the certain level of user contributions has been achieved.  
     
     
         8 . A system for supporting an artist comprising: 
 a server computer that: (i) receives user contributions for the artist; (ii) calculates the amount of user contributions that have been received; and (iii) determines whether a certain level of user contributions have been achieved,    wherein after the certain level of user contributions has been achieved, the user contributions are distributed to at least the artist, and wherein distribution of the user contributions to the artist is prevented if the certain level of user contributions is not achieved.    
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the server computer prevents distribution of the user contributions by giving a refund of the user contributions.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the server computer prevents distribution of the user contributions by associating the user contributions with a different artist.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the server computer prevents distribution of the user contributions by putting the user contributions in a user account.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the server computer hosts a Web site.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the server computer receives a user selection of the artist.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the server computer indicates that a privilege is to be provided to a user after the certain level of user contributions has been achieved.  
     
     
         15 . A system for supporting an artist comprising: 
 a means for: (i) receiving user contributions for the artist; (ii) calculating the amount of user contributions that have been received; and (iii) determining whether a certain level of user contributions have been achieved,    wherein after the certain level of user contributions has been achieved, the user contributions are distributed to at least the artist, and wherein distribution of the user contributions to the artist is prevented if the certain level of user contributions is not achieved.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the means prevents distribution of the user contributions by giving a refund of the user contributions.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the means prevents distribution of the user contributions by associating the user contributions with a different artist.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the means prevents distribution of the user contributions by putting the user contributions in a user account.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the means hosts a Web site.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the means receives a user selection of the artist.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the means indicates that a privilege is to be provided to a user after the certain level of user contributions has been achieved.