Method for viral distribution of ringback media

A method for the viral distribution of ringback media. A trigger is transmitted from a calling client station to a ringback server during the ringback period of call setup, whereby in response to receipt of the trigger by the ringback server, the subscriber associated with the calling client station is granted the right to the particular ringback media played out during the ringback period. Upon receiving the trigger, the ringback server may request that an indication that the right has been granted be stored in the subscriber's account record. Subsequent to the granting of the right to the particular ringback media to the subscriber, callers to the subscriber may be presented with the particular ringback. Further, these callers may also request to acquire the right to the particular media via the same trigger-initiated process.