DELIVERY OF SEQUENTIAL INFORMATION

The publisher of sequential issues of information makes these issues available only in sequence and only in accordance with certain rules such as the sequence can be accessed only for a set number of issues and only in ascending numerical order. A subscriber requests a subscription to the sequential issues. A service provider creates and maintains a unique record of the subscription that contains certain subscriber information. When the subscriber attempts to retrieve an issue, a calculation is made to determine whether the issue requested falls within the rules and time frames established for delivery of the requested issue. Delivery is accomplished for acceptable issue numbers via a network.