System and method for dispensing digital information from an automated transaction machine

An automated teller machine (ATM) ( 10 ) includes an input device ( 16 ) a card reader ( 20 ), a cash dispenser ( 24 ), and an output device ( 18 ). The ATM is operative to read account information from a card with the card reader and validate a user PIN input through the input device. The ATM is also operative to dispense cash with the cash dispenser and dispense digital content with the output device responsive to user input selections. The ATM is further operative to charge a user fee to an account associated with the card for the dispense of cash and digital content. Digital content dispensed by the ATM may include sound recordings such as MP3 files, video files, books, and other digital data. To dispense sound files the output device may include a sound system that is operative to output audio that corresponds to the dispensed sound recording files. The sound files may be acquired by the ATM from a digital information source on the Internet or other network. Licensing fees associated with the dispense of the digital files may be transferred to a source or licensing entity associated with the digital content.