Publishers of digital music attempt to restrict the usage of their products in order to prevent unlicensed distribution by their customers. Mostly the unrestricted use is limited in this case. On the other hand, consumers are used to share music for many years now – either by cassette tape recorders, or with the help of newer technologies such as peer-to-peer-Networks (P2P) or CD- writers. Therefore they often ignore these restrictions. The consequence is that music producers and consumers treat one another as opponents with reverse interests.

Authors of music aim at selling music. Therefore they have a substantial interest in a wide distribution of their works (e.g. as MP3-files). However, they care about making money as well. The PotatoSystem comes up with an innovative solution to this problem. It was particularly developed for unknown authors and independent music labels and operators of music download portals. It is based on a commission model: the consumer receives a commission for redistributing a music file. That means, within the PotatoSystem, the user does not just pay for the right to hold a music file but also for the right of redistribution.