Electronic ownership control system and method

US 20020029183A1
Filed: 02/23/2001
Published: 03/07/2002
Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2000
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. A method for initiating the transfer of ownership interests in co-owned commodities comprising:

providing at least one user of an access device with an opportunity to define a transfer request for transferring at least partial ownership of a commodity co-owned by a plurality of co-owners;

notifying at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners of the request, wherein each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners has an ownership interest in the commodity;

providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity; and

electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity according to the request for each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners participating in the transfer.

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Abstract

Electronic ownership control systems and methods. Fractional interests in commodities are controlled, transfers initiated or executed, and management of commodities is provided.

154 Citations

288 Claims

1. A method for initiating the transfer of ownership interests in co-owned commodities comprising:
- providing at least one user of an access device with an opportunity to define a transfer request for transferring at least partial ownership of a commodity co-owned by a plurality of co-owners;
  
  notifying at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners of the request, wherein each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners has an ownership interest in the commodity;
  
  providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity; and
  
  electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity according to the request for each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners participating in the transfer.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
- - 2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a purchase request;
      
      providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to sell the at least one co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises electronically initiating the sale of the ownership interest of each co-owner participating in the transfer to the at least one user.
  - 3. The method defined in claim 1 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to trade the at least one co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises electronically initiating the trade of the ownership interest of each co-owner participating in the transfer for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity.
  - 4. The method defined in claim 1 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity having an ownership interest in the commodity;
      
      the request is a sale request;
      
      providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to purchase the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises electronically initiating the sale of the ownership interest of the at least one user to each co-owner participating in the transfer.
  - 5. The method defined in claim 1 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      providing at least one co-owner with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership comprises providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to trade the at least one co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises electronically initiating the trade of the ownership interest of each co-owner participating in the transfer for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity.
  - 6. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the request is a purchase request including a price for the commodity.
  - 7. The method defined in claim 6 wherein the price comprises an ask price, a market order, or a limit order.
  - 8. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the request is a sale request including a price for the commodity.
  - 9. The method defined in claim 8 wherein the price comprises a bid price, a market order, or a limit order.
  - 10. The method defined in claim 1 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a purchase request;
      
      providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises providing a given co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to sell the given co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity and drag-along the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises electronically initiating the purchase of the ownership interest of the given co-owner and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 11. The method defined in claim 1 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a purchase request;
      
      providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises providing each of the co-owners an opportunity to tag-along with the sale of a given co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises electronically initiating the purchase of the ownership interest of the given co-owner and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 12. The method defined in claim 1 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a sale request;
      
      providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises providing the at least one user with an opportunity to sell the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity and drag-along the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises electronically initiating the sale of the ownership interest of the at least one user and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 13. The method defined in claim 1 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a sale request;
      
      providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises providing each of the co-owners an opportunity to tag-along with the sale of the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises electronically initiating the sale of the ownership interest of the given co-owner and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 14. The method defined in claim 1 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises providing a given co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to trade the given co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity and drag-along the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises electronically initiating the trade of the ownership interest of each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity.
  - 15. The method defined in claim 1 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises providing each of the co-owners an opportunity to tag-along with the trade of a given co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises initiating the trade of the ownership interest of the given co-owner and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners for at least partial ownership interest in the identified commodity.
  - 16. The method defined in claim 1 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises providing the at least one user with an opportunity to trade the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity and drag-along the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises electronically initiating the trade of the ownership interest of the at least one user and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners for at least partial ownership interest in the identified commodity.
  - 17. The method defined in claim 1 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises providing each of the co-owners an opportunity to tag-along with the trade of the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises electronically initiating the trade of the ownership interest of the given co-owner and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners for at least partial ownership interest in the identified commodity.
  - 18. The method defined in claim 1 wherein providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to veto transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity to the at least one user.
  - 19. The method defined in claim 1 wherein:
    - the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners has a right of first refusal; and
      
      providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to exercise the right of first refusal.
  - 20. The method defined in claim 1 wherein:
    - the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners has a right of first offer; and
      
      providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to exercise the right of first offer.
  - 21. The method defined in claim 1 wherein providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define the request comprises providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define a class of commodities to which the commodity belongs.
  - 22. The method defined in claim 1 wherein providing the at least one user with an opportunity to electronically define the request comprises:
    - prompting the at least one user for a commodity type; and
      
      providing a specialized interface to the at least one user based on the commodity type.
  - 23. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising matching the request defined by the at least one user with a second transfer request, defined by at least one other user, for transferring at least partial ownership of a commodity co-owned by a plurality of co-owners.
  - 24. The method defined in claim 21 wherein matching the request and second request comprises directly matching the request and the second request.
  - 25. The method defined in claim 21 wherein matching the request and the second request comprises constructing aggregated matches.
  - 26. The method defined in claim 25 wherein constructing aggregated matches comprises:
    - providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate a quantity of the commodity to transfer, wherein the commodity is of a particular commodity type;
      
      searching a database for ownership interests in commodities of the commodity type; and
      
      aggregating ownership interests in the commodities of the commodity type found in the database until the quantity of the commodities is found.
  - 27. The method defined in claim 25 wherein constructing aggregated matches comprises:
    - searching a database for a request of a quantity of the commodity to transfer, wherein the commodity is of a particular commodity type;
      
      searching a database for ownership interests in commodities of the commodity type when the at least one user does not own the quantity of the commodity to transfer; and
      
      aggregating ownership interests in the commodities of the commodity type found in the database with the at least one user'"'"'s ownership of the commodity until the quantity of the commodities is found.
  - 28. The method defined in claim 23 wherein matching the request and the second request comprises matching the request and the second request by auction.
  - 29. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises determining each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners of the commodity.
  - 30. The method defined in claim 29 further comprising:
    - determining whether each of the co-owners of the plurality of co-owners have drag-along or tag-along rights; and
      
      notifying each co-owner of each co-owners drag-along or tag-along rights.
  - 31. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising:
    - determining whether a third party is necessary for the transfer of ownership of the commodity; and
      
      selecting a third party for the transfer.
  - 32. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising providing a user with an opportunity to select a third party for the transfer.
  - 33. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising generating transfer documents for transferring ownership interests in the commodity.
  - 34. The method defined in claim 33 wherein the transfer documents are electronic documents and the method further comprises providing at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to electronically sign the documents.
  - 35. The method defined in claim 33 wherein the transfer documents are printed documents and the method further comprises:
    - providing the printed documents to at least one co-owner; and
      
      obtaining the printed documents from at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 36. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising:
    - providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate a desire to participate in an auction for the commodity;
      
      providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request; and
      
      providing the at least one user with an opportunity to participate in the auction as defined in the auction request.
  - 37. The method defined in claim 36 wherein providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request comprises providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate the commodity.
  - 38. The method defined in claim 36 wherein providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request comprises providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define a class of commodities.
  - 39. The method defined in claim 36 wherein providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request comprises providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate a particular auction.
  - 40. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising providing for the electronic exchange of remuneration for the transfer.
  - 41. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising electronically recording the transfer.
  - 42. The method defined in claim 1 wherein notifying co-owners of the commodity of the request comprises notifying the co-owners via e-mail.

43. A method for initiating the transfer of ownership interests in non-co-owned commodities comprising:
- providing at least one user of an access device with an opportunity to define a transfer request for transferring partial ownership of a non-co-owned commodity to at least one non-owner of the commodity; and
  
  electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the non-co-owned commodity according to the request.
- View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72)
- - 44. The method defined in claim 43 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a purchase request; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of partial ownership of the commodity comprises electronically initiating the purchase of partial ownership of the commodity by the at least one user.
  - 45. The method defined in claim 43 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of partial ownership of the commodity comprises electronically initiating the trade of partial ownership in the commodity for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity.
  - 46. The method defined in claim 43 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity having an ownership interest in the commodity;
      
      the request is a sale request; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of partial ownership of the commodity comprises electronically initiating the sale of partial ownership of the commodity to the at least one user.
  - 47. The method defined in claim 43 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity having an ownership interest in the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity; and
      
      electronically initiating the transfer of partial ownership of the commodity comprises electronically initiating the trade of partial ownership in the commodity for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity.
  - 48. The method defined in claim 43 wherein the request is a purchase request including a price for the commodity.
  - 49. The method defined in claim 48 wherein the price comprises an ask price, a market order, or a limit order.
  - 50. The method defined in claim 43 wherein the request is a sale request including a price for the commodity.
  - 51. The method defined in claim 50 wherein the price comprises a bid price, a market order, or a limit order.
  - 52. The method defined in claim 43 wherein providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define the request comprises providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define a class of commodities to which the commodity belongs.
  - 53. The method defined in claim 43 wherein providing the at least one user with an opportunity to electronically define the request comprises:
    - prompting the at least one user for a commodity type; and
      
      providing a specialized interface to the at least one user based on the commodity type.
  - 54. The method defined in claim 43 further comprising matching the request defined by the at least one user with a second transfer request defined by at least one other user for transferring partial ownership of a non-co-owned commodity.
  - 55. The method defined in claim 54 wherein matching the request and second request comprises directly matching the request and the second request.
  - 56. The method defined in claim 54 wherein matching the request and the second request comprises constructing aggregated matches.
  - 57. The method defined in claim 56 wherein constructing aggregated matches comprises:
    - providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate a quantity of the commodity to transfer, wherein the commodity is of a particular commodity type;
      
      searching a database for ownership interests in commodities of the commodity type; and
      
      aggregating ownership interests in the commodities of the commodity type found in the database until the quantity of the commodities is found.
  - 58. The method defined in claim 56 wherein constructing aggregated matches comprises:
    - searching a database for a request of a quantity of the commodity to transfer, wherein the commodity is of a particular commodity type;
      
      searching a database for ownership interests in commodities of the commodity type when the at least one user does not own the quantity of the commodity to transfer; and
      
      aggregating ownership interests in the commodities of the commodity type found in the database with the at least one user'"'"'s ownership of the commodity until the quantity of the commodities is found.
  - 59. The method defined in claim 54 wherein matching the request and the second request comprises matching the request and the second request by auction.
  - 60. The method defined in claim 43 wherein the method further comprises determining each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners of the commodity.
  - 61. The method defined in claim 43 further comprising:
    - determining whether a third party is necessary for the transfer of ownership of the commodity; and
      
      selecting a third party for the transfer.
  - 62. The method defined in claim 43 further comprising providing the at least one user with an opportunity to select a third party for the transfer.
  - 63. The method defined in claim 43 further comprising generating transfer documents for transferring ownership interests in the commodity.
  - 64. The method defined in claim 63 wherein the transfer documents are electronic documents and the method further comprises providing at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to electronically sign the documents.
  - 65. The method defined in claim 63 wherein the transfer documents are printed documents and the method further comprises:
    - providing the printed documents to at least one co-owner; and
      
      obtaining the printed documents from at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 66. The method defined in claim 63 further comprising:
    - providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate a desire to participate in an auction for the commodity;
      
      providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request; and
      
      providing the at least one user with an opportunity to participate in the auction as defined in the auction request.
  - 67. The method defined in claim 66 wherein providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request comprises providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate the commodity.
  - 68. The method defined in claim 66 wherein providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request comprises providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define a class of commodities.
  - 69. The method defined in claim 66 wherein providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request comprises providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate a particular auction.
  - 70. The method defined in claim 43 further comprising providing for the electronic exchange of remuneration for the transfer.
  - 71. The method defined in claim 43 further comprising electronically recording the transfer.
  - 72. The method defined in claim 43 wherein notifying co-owners of the commodity of the request comprises notifying the co-owners via e-mail.

73. A method for use in an electronic ownership control system comprising:
- providing a user with an opportunity to enter commodity information;
  
  prompting the at least one user for transfer documents;
  
  receiving the transfer documents;
  
  searching the transfer documents for co-ownership information;
  
  electronically storing the transfer documents and the co-owner information.
- View Dependent Claims (74, 75, 76)
- - 74. The method defined in claim 73 wherein the transfer documents are printed transfer documents and the method further comprises:
    - electronically scanning the printed transfer documents; and
      
      converting the scanned transfer documents to searchable form.
  - 75. The method defined in claim 74 further comprising targeting co-owners that are indicated in the transfer documents to become new users of the electronic ownership control system.
  - 76. The method defined in claim 74 further comprising providing the at least one user with an opportunity to electronically view the transfer documents.

77. A method for use in an electronic ownership control system comprising:
- providing a user with an opportunity to electronically transfer a commodity to a network of commodities;
  
  notifying co-owners of the commodity of the proposed transfer;
  
  providing the co-owners and the at least one user with an opportunity to vote on the proposed transfer; and
  
  electronically transferring the commodity to a network of commodities.
- View Dependent Claims (78, 80)
- - 78. The method defined in claim 77 wherein:
    - the method further comprises providing the co-owners with an opportunity to indicate an alternate network of commodities to which the commodity may be transferred; and
      
      electronically transferring the commodity to a network of commodities comprises electronically transferring the commodity to the alternate network of commodities.
  - 80. The method defined in claim 79 wherein:
    - a first co-owner of a first unit of the commodity exercises a drag-along right, wherein the first owner has a first ownership interest in the first unit of the commodity;
      
      a first co-owner of a second unit of the commodity exercises a drag-along right, wherein the first co-owner of the second unit has a first ownership interest in the commodity;
      
      a second co-owner of the second unit of the commodity has a second ownership interest in the second unit of the commodity; and
      
      the method further comprises;
      
      exchanging the ownership interest of the second co-owner in the second unit with the ownership interest of the first co-owner of the first unit;
      
      initiating the transfer of the second unit of the commodity to a third party.

79. A method for recombining ownership interests in co-owned commodities having units comprising:
- exchanging a co-ownership interest in one unit of a commodity for a co-ownership interest in another unit of a commodity.

81. A method for aggregating fractional ownership interests in commodities for use in an electronic ownership control system comprising:
- combining co-ownership interests of at least one owner in a plurality of units of commodities into a single ownership interest of a particular commodity; and
  
  electronically initiating the transfer of the at least one owner'"'"'s ownership interest of the particular commodity.
- View Dependent Claims (82, 83, 84)
- - 82. The method defined in claim 81 wherein the at least one owner is a user of the system and has drag-along rights in the particular commodity, and the method further comprises:
    - providing the at least one user with an opportunity to sell the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest in the particular commodity; and
      
      providing the at least one user with an opportunity to exercise the at least one user'"'"'s drag-along rights when selling the particular commodity.
  - 83. The method defined in claim 81 wherein the plurality of units of commodities are stocks.
  - 84. The method defined in claim 81 wherein the plurality of units of commodities are time periods of user or ownership of real property.

85. A method for use in an electronic ownership control system comprising:
- providing a user with an opportunity to indicate at least one associated party;
  
  providing the at least one user with an opportunity to transfer an ownership interest in a commodity; and
  
  providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate an associated party in connection with the transfer; and
  
  electronically initiating the transfer.
- View Dependent Claims (86, 87, 88, 89, 90)
- - 86. The method defined in claim 85 wherein:
    - an associated party is an attorney; and
      
      the method further comprises providing the at least one user with an opportunity to electronically view a document associated with the attorney.
  - 87. The method defined in claim 85 wherein:
    - an associated party is a mortgage broker; and
      
      the method further comprises providing the at least one user with an opportunity to electronically view a document associated with the mortgage broker.
  - 88. The method defined in claim 87 wherein:
    - an associated party is a friend; and
      
      the method further comprises providing the at least one user with an opportunity to electronically view information on commodities co-owned with the friend.
  - 89. The method defined in claim 87 wherein:
    - an associated party is a friend; and
      
      the method further comprises providing the at least one user with an opportunity to involve the friend in a split.
  - 90. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising electronically inviting the friend to participate in the split.

91. A method for managing co-owned commodities comprising:
- receiving changes to commodity information for a co-owned commodity;
  
  determining the co-owners of the co-owned commodity; and
  
  notifying the co-owners of the change to the commodity information.
- View Dependent Claims (92, 93, 94, 95, 96)
- - 92. The method defined in claim 91 wherein the commodity information includes maintenance schedule information.
  - 93. The method defined in claim 91 wherein the commodity information includes maintenance fee information.
  - 94. The method defined in claim 91 wherein the commodity information includes ownership conditions.
  - 95. The method defined in claim 91 further comprising providing a user with an opportunity to provide the changes to the commodity information.
  - 96. The method defined in claim 91 wherein notifying the co-owners of the change to the commodity information comprises notifying the co-owners of the change by e-mail.

97. A system for initiating the transfer of ownership interests in co-owned commodities comprising:
- means for providing at least one user with an opportunity to define a transfer request for transferring at least partial ownership of a commodity co-owned by a plurality of co-owners;
  
  means for notifying at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners of the request, wherein each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners has an ownership interest in the commodity;
  
  means for providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity; and
  
  means for electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity according to the request for each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners participating in the transfer.
- View Dependent Claims (98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 170, 171, 172, 174, 176, 178, 179, 180, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 266, 267, 268, 270, 272, 274, 275, 276, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288)
- - 98. The system defined in claim 97 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a purchase request;
      
      the means for providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to sell the at least one co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity; and
      
      the means for electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for electronically initiating the sale of the ownership interest of each co-owner participating in the transfer to the at least one user.
  - 99. The system defined in claim 97 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      the means for providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to trade the at least one co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity; and
      
      the means for electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for electronically initiating the trade of the ownership interest of each co-owner participating in the transfer for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity.
  - 100. The system defined in claim 97 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity having an ownership interest in the commodity;
      
      the request is a sale request;
      
      the means for providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to purchase the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity; and
      
      the means for electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for electronically initiating the sale of the ownership interest of the at least one user to each co-owner participating in the transfer.
  - 101. The system defined in claim 97 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      the means for providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership comprises means for providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to trade the at least one co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity; and
      
      the means for electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises the means for electronically initiating the trade of the ownership interest of each co-owner participating in the transfer for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity.
  - 102. The system defined in claim 97 wherein the request is a purchase request including a price for the commodity.
  - 103. The system defined in claim 102 wherein the price comprises an ask price, a market order, or a limit order.
  - 104. The system defined in claim 97 wherein the request is a sale request including a price for the commodity.
  - 105. The system defined in claim 104 wherein the price comprises a bid price, a market order, or a limit order.
  - 106. The system defined in claim 97 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a purchase request;
      
      the means for providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises means for providing a given co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to sell the given co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity and drag-along the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners; and
      
      the means for electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for electronically initiating the purchase of the ownership interest of the given co-owner and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 107. The system defined in claim 97 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a purchase request;
      
      the means for providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises means for providing each of the co-owners an opportunity to tag-along with the sale of a given co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest; and
      
      the means for electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for electronically initiating the purchase of the ownership interest of the given co-owner and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 108. The system defined in claim 97 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a sale request;
      
      the means for providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to sell the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity and drag-along the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners; and
      
      the means for electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for electronically initiating the sale of the ownership interest of the at least one user and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 109. The system defined in claim 97 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a sale request;
      
      the means for providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises means for providing each of the co-owners an opportunity to tag-along with the sale of the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest; and
      
      the means for electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises the means for electronically initiating the sale of the ownership interest of the given co-owner and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 110. The system defined in claim 97 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      the means for providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises means for providing a given co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to trade the given co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity and drag-along the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners; and
      
      the means for electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for electronically initiating the trade of the ownership interest of each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity.
  - 111. The system defined in claim 97 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      the means for providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises means for providing each of the co-owners an opportunity to tag-along with the trade of a given co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity; and
      
      the means for electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for initiating the trade of the ownership interest of the given co-owner and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners for at least partial ownership interest in the identified commodity.
  - 112. The system defined in claim 97 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      the means for providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to trade the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity and drag-along the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity; and
      
      the means for electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for electronically initiating the trade of the ownership interest of the at least one user and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners for at least partial ownership interest in the identified commodity.
  - 113. The system defined in claim 97 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      the means for providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in the transfer comprises means for providing each of the co-owners an opportunity to tag-along with the trade of the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity; and
      
      the means for electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for electronically initiating the trade of the ownership interest of the given co-owner and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners for at least partial ownership interest in the identified commodity.
  - 114. The system defined in claim 97 wherein the means for providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to veto transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity to the at least one user.
  - 115. The system defined in claim 97 wherein:
    - the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners has a right of first refusal; and
      
      the means for providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to exercise the right of first refusal.
  - 116. The system defined in claim 97 wherein:
    - the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners has a right of first offer; and
      
      the means for providing the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for providing the at least one co-owner with an opportunity to exercise the right of first offer.
  - 117. The system defined in claim 97 wherein the means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define the request comprises means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define a class of commodities to which the commodity belongs.
  - 118. The system defined in claim 97 wherein the means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to electronically define the request comprises:
    - means for prompting the at least one user for a commodity type; and
      
      means for providing a specialized interface to the at least one user based on the commodity type.
  - 119. The system defined in claim 97 further comprising means for matching the request defined by the at least one user with a second transfer request, defined by at least one other user, for transferring at least partial ownership of a commodity co-owned by a plurality of co-owners.
  - 120. The system defined in claim 119 wherein the means for matching the request and second request comprises means for directly matching the request and the second request.
  - 121. The system defined in claim 119 wherein the means for matching the request and the second request comprises means for constructing aggregated matches.
  - 122. The system defined in claim 121 wherein the means for constructing aggregated matches comprises:
    - means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate a quantity of the commodity to transfer, wherein the commodity is of a particular commodity type;
      
      means for searching a database for ownership interests in commodities of the commodity type; and
      
      means for aggregating ownership interests in the commodities of the commodity type found in the database until the quantity of the commodities is found.
  - 123. The system defined in claim 121 wherein the means for constructing aggregated matches comprises:
    - means for searching a database for a request of a quantity of the commodity to transfer, wherein the commodity is of a particular commodity type;
      
      means for searching a database for ownership interests in commodities of the commodity type when the at least one user does not own the quantity of the commodity to transfer; and
      
      means for aggregating ownership interests in the commodities of the commodity type found in the database with the at least one user'"'"'s ownership of the commodity until the quantity of the commodities is found.
  - 124. The system defined in claim 119 wherein the means for matching the request and the second request comprises means for matching the request and the second request by auction.
  - 125. The system defined in claim 97 wherein the system further comprises means for determining each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners of the commodity.
  - 126. The system defined in claim 125 further comprising:
    - means for determining whether each of the co-owners of the plurality of co-owners have drag-along or tag-along rights; and
      
      means for notifying each co-owner of each co-owners drag-along or tag-along rights.
  - 127. The system defined in claim 97 further comprising:
    - means for determining whether a third party is necessary for the transfer of ownership of the commodity; and
      
      means for selecting a third party for the transfer.
  - 128. The system defined in claim 97 further comprising means for providing a user with an opportunity to select a third party for the transfer.
  - 129. The system defined in claim 97 further comprising means for generating transfer documents for transferring ownership interests in the commodity.
  - 130. The system defined in claim 129 wherein the transfer documents are electronic documents and the system further comprises means for providing at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to electronically sign the documents.
  - 131. The system defined in claim 129 wherein the transfer documents are printed documents and the system further comprises:
    - means for providing the printed documents to at least one co-owner; and
      
      means for obtaining the printed documents from at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 132. The system defined in claim 97 further comprising:
    - means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate a desire to participate in an auction for the commodity;
      
      means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request; and
      
      means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to participate in the auction as defined in the auction request.
  - 133. The system defined in claim 132 wherein the means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request comprises means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate the commodity.
  - 134. The system defined in claim 132 wherein the means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request comprises means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define a class of commodities.
  - 135. The system defined in claim 132 wherein the means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request comprises means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate a particular auction.
  - 136. The system defined in claim 97 further comprising means for providing for the electronic exchange of remuneration for the transfer.
  - 137. The system defined in claim 97 further comprising means for electronically recording the transfer.
  - 138. The system defined in claim 97 wherein the means for notifying co-owners of the commodity of the request comprises means for notifying the co-owners via e-mail.
  - 140. The system defined in claim 139 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a purchase request; and
      
      the means for electronically initiating the transfer of partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for electronically initiating the purchase of partial ownership of the commodity by the at least one user.
  - 141. The system defined in claim 139 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity; and
      
      the means for electronically initiating the transfer of partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for electronically initiating the trade of partial ownership in the commodity for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity.
  - 142. The system defined in claim 139 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity having an ownership interest in the commodity;
      
      the request is a sale request; and
      
      mean for electronically initiating the transfer of partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for electronically initiating the sale of partial ownership of the commodity to the at least one user.
  - 143. The system defined in claim 139 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity having an ownership interest in the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity; and
      
      the means for electronically initiating the transfer of partial ownership of the commodity comprises means for electronically initiating the trade of partial ownership in the commodity for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity.
  - 144. The system defined in claim 139 wherein the request is a purchase request including a price for the commodity.
  - 145. The system defined in claim 144 wherein the price comprises an ask price, a market order, or a limit order.
  - 146. The system defined in claim 139 wherein the request is a sale request including a price for the commodity.
  - 147. The system defined in claim 146 wherein the price comprises a bid price, a market order, or a limit order.
  - 148. The system defined in claim 139 wherein the means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define the request comprises means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define a class of commodities to which the commodity belongs.
  - 149. The system defined in claim 139 wherein the means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to electronically define the request comprises:
    - means for prompting the at least one user for a commodity type; and
      
      means for providing a specialized interface to the at least one user based on the commodity type.
  - 150. The system defined in claim 139 further comprising means for matching the request defined by the at least one user with a second transfer request defined by at least one other user for transferring partial ownership of a non-co-owned commodity.
  - 151. The system defined in claim 150 wherein the means for matching the request and second request comprises means for directly matching the request and the second request.
  - 152. The system defined in claim 150 wherein the means for matching the request and the second request comprises means for constructing aggregated matches.
  - 153. The system defined in claim 152 wherein the means for constructing aggregated matches comprises:
    - means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate a quantity of the commodity to transfer, wherein the commodity is of a particular commodity type;
      
      means for searching a database for ownership interests in commodities of the commodity type; and
      
      means for aggregating ownership interests in the commodities of the commodity type found in the database until the quantity of the commodities is found.
  - 154. The system defined in claim 152 wherein the means for constructing aggregated matches comprises:
    - means for searching a database for a request of a quantity of the commodity to transfer, wherein the commodity is of a particular commodity type;
      
      means for searching a database for ownership interests in commodities of the commodity type when the at least one user does not own the quantity of the commodity to transfer; and
      
      means for aggregating ownership interests in the commodities of the commodity type found in the database with the at least one user'"'"'s ownership of the commodity until the quantity of the commodities is found.
  - 155. The system defined in claim 150 wherein the means for matching the request and the second request comprises means for matching the request and the second request by auction.
  - 156. The system defined in claim 139 wherein the system further comprises means for determining each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners of the commodity.
  - 157. The system defined in claim 156 further comprising:
    - means for determining whether a third party is necessary for the transfer of ownership of the commodity; and
      
      means for selecting a third party for the transfer.
  - 158. The system defined in claim 139 further comprising means for providing a user with an opportunity to select a third party for the transfer.
  - 159. The system defined in claim 139 further comprising means for generating transfer documents for transferring ownership interests in the commodity.
  - 160. The system defined in claim 159 wherein the transfer documents are electronic documents and the system further comprises means for providing at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to electronically sign the documents.
  - 161. The system defined in claim 159 wherein the transfer documents are printed documents and the system further comprises:
    - means for providing the printed documents to at least one co-owner; and
      
      means for obtaining the printed documents from at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 162. The system defined in claim 161 further comprising:
    - means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate a desire to participate in an auction for the commodity;
      
      means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request; and
      
      means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to participate in the auction as defined in the auction request.
  - 163. The system defined in claim 162 wherein the means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request comprises means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate the commodity.
  - 164. The system defined in claim 162 wherein the means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request comprises means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define a class of commodities.
  - 165. The system defined in claim 162 wherein the means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to define an auction request comprises means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate a particular auction.
  - 166. The system defined in claim 139 further comprising means for providing for the electronic exchange of remuneration for the transfer.
  - 167. The system defined in claim 139 further comprising means for electronically recording the transfer.
  - 168. The system defined in claim 139 wherein the means for notifying co-owners of the commodity of the request comprises means for notifying the co-owners via e-mail.
  - 170. The system defined in claim 169 wherein the transfer documents are printed transfer documents and the system further comprises:
    - means for electronically scanning the printed transfer documents; and
      
      means for converting the scanned transfer documents to searchable form.
  - 171. The system defined in claim 170 further comprising means for targeting co-owners that are indicated in the transfer documents to become new users of the electronic ownership control system.
  - 172. The system defined in claim 170 further comprising means for providing the user with an opportunity to electronically view the transfer documents.
  - 174. The system defined in claim 173 wherein:
    - the system further comprises means for providing the co-owners with an opportunity to indicate an alternate network of commodities to which the commodity may be transferred; and
      
      the means for electronically transferring the commodity to a network of commodities comprises means for electronically transferring the commodity to the alternate network of commodities.
  - 176. The system defined in claim 175 wherein:
    - a first co-owner of a first unit of the commodity exercises a drag-along right, wherein the first owner has a first ownership interest in the first unit of the commodity;
      
      a first co-owner of a second unit of the commodity exercises a drag-along right, wherein the first co-owner of the second unit has a first ownership interest in the commodity;
      
      a second co-owner of the second unit of the commodity has a second ownership interest in the second unit of the commodity; and
      
      the system further comprises;
      
      means for exchanging the ownership interest of the second co-owner in the second unit with the ownership interest of the first co-owner of the first unit; and
      
      means for initiating the transfer of the second unit of the commodity to a third party.
  - 178. The system defined in claim 177 wherein the at least one owner is a user of the system and has drag-along rights in the particular commodity, and the system further comprises:
    - means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to sell the user'"'"'s ownership interest in the particular commodity; and
      
      means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to exercise the user'"'"'s drag-along rights when selling the particular commodity.
  - 179. The system defined in claim 177 wherein the plurality of units of commodities are stocks.
  - 180. The system defined in claim 177 wherein the plurality of units of commodities are time periods of user or ownership of real property.
  - 182. The system defined in claim 181 wherein:
    - an associated party is an attorney; and
      
      the system further comprises means for providing the user with an opportunity to electronically view a document associated with the attorney.
  - 183. The system defined in claim 181 wherein:
    - an associated party is a mortgage broker; and
      
      the system further comprises means for providing the user with an opportunity to electronically view a document associated with the mortgage broker.
  - 184. The system defined in claim 183 wherein:
    - an associated party is a friend; and
      
      the system further comprises means for providing the user with an opportunity to electronically view information on commodities co-owned with the friend.
  - 185. The system defined in claim 184 wherein:
    - an associated party is a friend; and
      
      the system further comprises means for providing the user with an opportunity to involve the friend in a split.
  - 186. The system defined in claim 185 further comprising means for electronically inviting the friend to participate in the split.
  - 188. The system defined in claim 187 wherein the commodity information includes maintenance schedule information.
  - 189. The system defined in claim 187 wherein the commodity information includes maintenance fee information.
  - 190. The system defined in claim 187 wherein the commodity information includes ownership conditions.
  - 191. The system defined in claim 187 further comprising means for providing a user with an opportunity to provide the changes to the commodity information.
  - 192. The system defined in claim 187 wherein the means for notifying the co-owners of the change to the commodity information comprises notifying the co-owners of the change by e-mail.
  - 194. The system defined in claim 193 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a purchase request;
      
      the at least one access device of each co-owner is further configured to provide each co-owner with an opportunity to sell the at least one co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity; and
      
      the server is further configured to electronically initiate the sale of the ownership interest of each co-owner participating in the transfer to the at least one user.
  - 195. The system defined in claim 193 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      the at least one access device of each co-owner is further configured to provide each co-owner with an opportunity to trade the at least one co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity; and
      
      the server is further configured to electronically initiate the trade of the ownership interest of each co-owner participating in the transfer for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity.
  - 196. The system defined in claim 193 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity having an ownership interest in the commodity;
      
      the request is a sale request;
      
      the at least one access device of each co-owner is further configured to provide each co-owner with an opportunity to purchase the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity; and
      
      the server is further configured to electronically initiate the sale of the ownership interest of the at least one user to each co-owner participating in the transfer.
  - 197. The system defined in claim 193 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      the at least one access device of each co-owner is further configured to provide each co-owner with an opportunity to trade the at least one co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity; and
      
      the server is further configured to electronically initiate the trade of the ownership interest of each co-owner participating in the transfer for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity.
  - 198. The system defined in claim 193 wherein the request is a purchase request including a price for the commodity.
  - 199. The system defined in claim 198 wherein the price comprises an ask price, a market order, or a limit order.
  - 200. The system defined in claim 193 wherein the request is a sale request including a price for the commodity.
  - 201. The system defined in claim 200 wherein the price comprises a bid price, a market order, or a limit order.
  - 202. The system defined in claim 193 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a purchase request;
      
      the at least one access device of each co-owner is further configured to provide each co-owner with an opportunity to sell the given co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity and drag-along the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners; and
      
      the server is further configured to electronically initiate the purchase of the ownership interest of the given co-owner and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 203. The system defined in claim 193 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a purchase request;
      
      the at least one access device of each co-owner is further configured to provide each co-owner with an opportunity to tag-along with the sale of a given co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest; and
      
      the server is further configured to electronically initiate the purchase of the ownership interest of the given co-owner and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 204. The system defined in claim 193 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a sale request;
      
      the at least one access device associated with a user is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least one access device with an opportunity to sell the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity and drag-along the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners; and
      
      the server is further configured to electronically initiate the sale of the ownership interest of the at least one user and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 205. The system defined in claim 193 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a sale request;
      
      the at least one access device of each co-owner is further configured to provide each co-owner with an opportunity to tag-along with the sale of the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest; and
      
      the server is further configured to electronically initiate the sale of the ownership interest of the given co-owner and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 206. The system defined in claim 193 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      the at least one access device of each co-owner is further configured to provide a given co-owner of the plurality of co-owners with an opportunity to trade the given co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity and drag-along the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners; and
      
      the server is further configured to electronically initiate the trade of the ownership interest of each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity.
  - 207. The system defined in claim 193 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a non-co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      the at least one access device of each co-owner is further configured to provide each of the co-owners an opportunity to tag-along with the trade of a given co-owner'"'"'s ownership interest for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity; and
      
      the server is further configured to initiate the trade of the ownership interest of the given co-owner and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners for at least partial ownership interest in the identified commodity.
  - 208. The system defined in claim 193 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      the at least one access device associated with a user is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least one access device with an opportunity to trade the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest in the commodity and drag-along the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity; and
      
      the server is further configured to electronically initiate the trade of the ownership interest of the at least one user and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners for at least partial ownership interest in the identified commodity.
  - 209. The system defined in claim 193 wherein:
    - the at least one user is a co-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity;
      
      the at least one access device of each co-owner is further configured to provide each of the co-owners an opportunity to tag-along with the trade of the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity; and
      
      the server is further configured to electronically initiate the trade of the ownership interest of the given co-owner and the remaining co-owners of the plurality of co-owners for at least partial ownership interest in the identified commodity.
  - 210. The system defined in claim 193 wherein the at least one access device of each co-owner is further configured to provide each co-owner with an opportunity to veto transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity to the user.
  - 211. The system defined in claim 193 wherein:
    - the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners has a right of first refusal; and
      
      the at least one access device of each co-owner is further configured to provide each co-owner with an opportunity to exercise the right of first refusal.
  - 212. The system defined in claim 193 wherein:
    - the at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners has a right of first offer; and
      
      the at least one access device of each co-owner is further configured to provide each co-owner with an opportunity to exercise the right of first offer.
  - 213. The system defined in claim 193 wherein the at least one access device associated with a user is further configured to provide the user associated with the access device with an opportunity to define a class of commodities to which the commodity belongs.
  - 214. The system defined in claim 193 wherein the at least one access device associated with a user is further configured to:
    - prompt the at least one user for a commodity type; and
      
      provide a specialized interface to the user associated with the at least one access device, based on the commodity type.
  - 215. The system defined in claim 193 wherein the server is further configured to match the request defined by a user associated with the at least one access device with a second transfer request, defined by a different user associated with a different at least one user access device, for transferring at least partial ownership of a commodity co-owned by a plurality of co-owners.
  - 216. The system defined in claim 215 wherein the server is further configured to directly match the request and the second request.
  - 217. The system defined in claim 215 wherein the server is further configured to construct aggregated matches.
  - 218. The system defined in claim 217 wherein:
    - the at least one access device is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least one access device with an opportunity to indicate a quantity of the commodity to transfer, wherein the commodity is of a particular commodity type; and
      
      the server is further configured to;
      
      search a database for ownership interests in commodities of the commodity type; and
      
      aggregate ownership interests in the commodities of the commodity type found in the database until the quantity of the commodities is found.
  - 219. The system defined in claim 217 wherein the server is further configured to:
    - search a database for a request of a quantity of the commodity to transfer, wherein the commodity is of a particular commodity type;
      
      search a database for ownership interests in commodities of the commodity type when a user does not own the quantity of the commodity to transfer; and
      
      aggregate ownership interests in the commodities of the commodity type found in the database with the at least one user'"'"'s ownership of the commodity until the quantity of the commodities is found.
  - 220. The system defined in claim 215 wherein the server is further configured to match the request and the second request by auction.
  - 221. The system defined in claim 193 wherein the server is further configured to determine each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners of the commodity.
  - 222. The system defined in claim 221 wherein the server is further configured to:
    - determine whether each of the co-owners of the plurality of co-owners have drag-along or tag-along rights; and
      
      notify each co-owner of each co-owners drag-along or tag-along rights.
  - 223. The system defined in claim 193 wherein the server is further configured to:
    - determine whether a third party is necessary for the transfer of ownership of the commodity; and
      
      select a third party for the transfer.
  - 224. The system defined in claim 193 wherein the at least one access device is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least one access device with an opportunity to select a third party for the transfer.
  - 225. The system defined in claim 193 further comprising a transfer documents system configured to generate transfer documents for transferring ownership interests in the commodity.
  - 226. The system defined in claim 225 wherein the transfer documents are electronic documents and the at least one access device of each co-owner is further configured to provide each of the co-owners with an opportunity to electronically sign the documents.
  - 227. The system defined in claim 225 wherein the transfer documents are printed documents and the transfer documents system is further configured to:
    - provide the printed documents to at least one co-owner; and
      
      obtain the printed documents from at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 228. The system defined in claim 193 wherein the at least one access device is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least one access device with an opportunity to:
    - indicate a desire to participate in an auction for the commodity;
      
      define an auction request; and
      
      participate in the auction as defined in the auction request.
  - 229. The system defined in claim 228 wherein the at least one access device is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least one access device with an opportunity to indicate the commodity.
  - 230. The system defined in claim 228 wherein the at least one access device is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least one access device with an opportunity to define a class of commodities.
  - 231. The system defined in claim 228 wherein the at least one access device is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least one access device with an opportunity to indicate a particular auction.
  - 232. The system defined in claim 193 further comprising an electronic commerce server configured to provide for the electronic exchange of remuneration for the transfer.
  - 233. The system defined in claim 193 further comprising a recordation system configured to electronically record the transfer.
  - 234. The system defined in claim 193 wherein the server is further configured to notifying the co-owners via e-mail.
  - 236. The system defined in claim 235 wherein:
    - the user is a non-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a purchase request; and
      
      the server is further configured to electronically initiate the purchase of partial ownership of the commodity by the at least one user.
  - 237. The system defined in claim 235 wherein:
    - the user is a non-owner of the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity; and
      
      the server is further configured to electronically initiate the trade of partial ownership in the commodity for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity.
  - 238. The system defined in claim 235 wherein:
    - the user is a non-co-owner of the commodity having an ownership interest in the commodity;
      
      the request is a sale request; and
      
      the server is further configured to electronically initiate the sale of partial ownership of the commodity to the at least one user.
  - 239. The system defined in claim 235 wherein:
    - the user is a non-co-owner of the commodity having an ownership interest in the commodity;
      
      the request is a trade request including an identified commodity; and
      
      the server is further configured to electronically initiate the trade of partial ownership in the commodity for at least partial ownership in the identified commodity.
  - 240. The system defined in claim 235 wherein the request is a purchase request including a price for the commodity.
  - 241. The system defined in claim 240 wherein the price comprises an ask price, a market order, or a limit order.
  - 242. The system defined in claim 235 wherein the request is a sale request including a price for the commodity.
  - 243. The system defined in claim 242 wherein the price comprises a bid price, a market order, or a limit order.
  - 244. The system defined in claim 235 wherein the at least one access device is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least one user access device with an opportunity to define a class of commodities to which the commodity belongs.
  - 245. The system defined in claim 235 wherein the at least one access device is further configured to:
    - prompt the user associated with the at least one access device for a commodity type; and
      
      provide a specialized interface to the user associated with the at least one access device based on the commodity type.
  - 246. The system defined in claim 235 wherein the server is further configured to match the request defined by a user associated with the at least one access device with a second transfer request, defined by a different user associated with a different at least one user access device, for transferring partial ownership of a non-co-owned commodity.
  - 247. The system defined in claim 246 wherein the server is further configured to directly match the request and the second request.
  - 248. The system defined in claim 246 wherein the server is further configured to construct aggregated matches.
  - 249. The system defined in claim 248 wherein:
    - the at least one access device is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least one access device with an opportunity to indicate a quantity of the commodity to transfer, wherein the commodity is of a particular commodity type; and
      
      the server is further configured to;
      
      search a database for ownership interests in commodities of the commodity type; and
      
      aggregate ownership interests in the commodities of the commodity type found in the database until the quantity of the commodities is found.
  - 250. The system defined in claim 248 wherein the server is further configured to:
    - search a database for a request of a quantity of the commodity to transfer, wherein the commodity is of a particular commodity type;
      
      search a database for ownership interests in commodities of the commodity type when the at least one user does not own the quantity of the commodity to transfer; and
      
      aggregate ownership interests in the commodities of the commodity type found in the database with the at least one user'"'"'s ownership of the commodity until the quantity of the commodities is found.
  - 251. The system defined in claim 246 wherein the server is further configured to match the request and the second request by auction.
  - 252. The system defined in claim 235 wherein the server is further configured to determine each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners of the commodity.
  - 253. The system defined in claim 235 wherein the server is further configured to:
    - determine whether a third party is necessary for the transfer of ownership of the commodity; and
      
      select a third party for the transfer.
  - 254. The system defined in claim 235 wherein the at least one access device is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least one access device with an opportunity to select a third party for the transfer.
  - 255. The system defined in claim 235 further comprising a transfer documents system configured to transfer documents for transferring ownership interests in the commodity.
  - 256. The system defined in claim 255 wherein:
    - the transfer documents are electronic documents; and
      
      the at least one access device is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least one access device with an opportunity to electronically sign the documents.
  - 257. The system defined in claim 256 wherein the transfer documents are printed documents and the transfer documents system is further configured to:
    - provide the printed documents to at least one co-owner; and
      
      obtain the printed documents from at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners.
  - 258. The system defined in claim 257 wherein the at least one access device is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least ons access device with an opportunity to:
    - indicate a desire to participate in an auction for the commodity;
      
      define an auction request; and
      
      participate in the auction as defined in the auction request.
  - 259. The system defined in claim 258 wherein the at least one access device is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least ons access device with an opportunity to indicate the commodity.
  - 260. The system defined in claim 258 wherein the at least one access device is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least ons access device with an opportunity to define a class of commodities.
  - 261. The system defined in claim 258 wherein the at least one access device is further configured to provide the user associated with the at least ons access device with an opportunity to indicate a particular auction.
  - 262. The system defined in claim 235 further comprising an electronic commerce server configured to provide for the electronic exchange of remuneration for the transfer.
  - 263. The system defined in claim 235 further comprising a transfer documents system configured to electronically record the transfer.
  - 264. The system defined in claim 235 wherein the server is further configured to notify the co-owners via e-mail.
  - 266. The system defined in claim 265 wherein the transfer documents are printed transfer documents and the transfer documents system is further configured to:
    - electronically scan the printed transfer documents; and
      
      convert the scanned transfer documents to searchable form.
  - 267. The system defined in claim 266 further comprising a server configured to target co-owners that are indicated in the transfer documents to become new users of the electronic ownership control system.
  - 268. The system defined in claim 265 wherein the access device is further configured to provide the user with an opportunity to electronically view the transfer documents.
  - 270. The system defined in claim 269 wherein the server is further configured to:
    - provide the co-owners with an opportunity to indicate an alternate network of commodities to which the commodity may be transferred using access devices; and
      
      transfer the commodity to the alternate network of commodities.
  - 272. The system defined in claim 271 wherein:
    - a first co-owner of a first unit of the commodity exercises a drag-along right, wherein the first owner has a first ownership interest in the first unit of the commodity;
      
      a first co-owner of a second unit of the commodity exercises a drag-along right, wherein the first co-owner of the second unit has a first ownership interest in the commodity;
      
      a second co-owner of the second unit of the commodity has a second ownership interest in the second unit of the commodity; and
      
      the server is further configured to;
      
      exchange the ownership interest of the second co-owner in the second unit with the ownership interest of the first co-owner of the first unit; and
      
      initiate the transfer of the second unit of the commodity to a third party.
  - 274. The system defined in claim 177 wherein the at least one owner is a user of the system and has drag-along rights in the particular commodity, and the system further comprises:
    - means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to sell the at least one user'"'"'s ownership interest in the particular commodity; and
      
      means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to exercise the at least one user'"'"'s drag-along rights when selling the particular commodity.
  - 275. The system defined in claim 177 wherein the plurality of units of commodities are stocks.
  - 276. The system defined in claim 177 wherein the plurality of units of commodities are time periods of user or ownership of real property.
  - 278. The system defined in claim 181 wherein:
    - an associated party is an attorney; and
      
      the system further comprises means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to electronically view a document associated with the attorney.
  - 279. The system defined in claim 181 wherein:
    - an associated party is a mortgage broker; and
      
      the system further comprises means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to electronically view a document associated with the mortgage broker.
  - 280. The system defined in claim 183 wherein:
    - an associated party is a friend; and
      
      the system further comprises means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to electronically view information on commodities co-owned with the friend.
  - 281. The system defined in claim 184 wherein:
    - an associated party is a friend; and
      
      the system further comprises means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to involve the friend in a split.
  - 282. The system defined in claim 185 further comprising means for electronically inviting the friend to participate in the split.
  - 284. The system defined in claim 283 wherein the commodity information includes maintenance schedule information.
  - 285. The system defined in claim 283 wherein the commodity information includes maintenance fee information.
  - 286. The system defined in claim 283 wherein the commodity information includes ownership conditions.
  - 287. The system defined in claim 283 further comprising an access device configured to provide a user with an opportunity to provide the changes to the commodity information.
  - 288. The system defined in claim 283 wherein the server is configured to indicate the change in commodity information by email.

139. A system for initiating the transfer of ownership interests in non-co-owned commodities comprising:
- means for providing at least one user of an access device with an opportunity to define a transfer request for transferring partial ownership of a non-co-owned commodity to at least one non-owner of the commodity; and
  
  means for electronically initiating the transfer of at least partial ownership of the non-co-owned commodity according to the request.

169. A system for use in an electronic ownership control system comprising:
- means for providing a user with an opportunity to enter commodity information;
  
  means for prompting the at least one user for transfer documents;
  
  means for receiving the transfer documents;
  
  means for searching the transfer documents for co-ownership information;
  
  means for electronically storing the transfer documents and the co-owner information.

173. A system for use in an electronic ownership control system comprising:
- means for providing a user with an opportunity to electronically transfer a commodity to a network of commodities;
  
  means for notifying co-owners of the commodity of the proposed transfer;
  
  means for providing the co-owners and the at least one user with an opportunity to vote on the proposed transfer; and
  
  means for electronically transferring the commodity to a network of commodities.

175. A system for recombining ownership interests in co-owned commodities having units comprising:
- means for exchanging a co-ownership interest in one unit of a commodity for a co-ownership interest in another unit of a commodity and;
  
  means for indicating the exchange to a user.

177. A system for aggregating fractional ownership interests in commodities for use in an electronic ownership control system comprising:
- means for combining co-ownership interests of at least one owner in a plurality of units of commodities into a single ownership interest of a particular commodity; and
  
  means for electronically initiating the transfer of the at least one owner'"'"'s ownership interest of the particular commodity.

181. A system for use in an electronic ownership control system comprising:
- means for providing a user with an opportunity to indicate at least one associated party;
  
  means for providing the user with an opportunity to transfer an ownership interest in a commodity; and
  
  means for providing the user with an opportunity to indicate an associated party in connection with the transfer; and
  
  means for electronically initiating the transfer.

187. A system for managing co-owned commodities comprising:
- means for receiving changes to commodity information for a co-owned commodity;
  
  means for determining the co-owners of the co-owned commodity; and
  
  means for notifying the co-owners of the change to the commodity information.

193. A system for initiating the transfer of ownership interests in co-owned commodities comprising:
- at least one access device configured to provide a user associated with the access device with an opportunity to define a transfer request for transferring at least partial ownership of a commodity co-owned by a plurality of co-owners;
  
  a server configured to receive the transfer request from the at least one access device and notify at least one co-owner of the plurality of co-owners of the request, wherein each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners has an ownership interest in the commodity;
  
  at least one access device associated with each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners configured to receive the notification from the server and provide a co-owner of the plurality of co-owners associated with the access device with an opportunity to participate in transferring at least partial ownership of the commodity; and
  
  wherein the server is further configured to initiate the transfer of at least partial ownership of the commodity according to the request for each co-owner of the plurality of co-owners participating in the transfer.

235. A system for initiating the transfer of ownership interests in non-co-owned commodities comprising:
- at least one access device associated with a user configured to provide the user associated with the at least one access device with an opportunity to define a transfer request for transferring partial ownership of a non-co-owned commodity to at least one non-owner of the commodity; and
  
  a server configured to electronically initiate the transfer of at least partial ownership of the non-co-owned commodity according to the request.

265. A system for use in an electronic ownership control system comprising:
- an access device configured to;
  
  provide a user with an opportunity to enter commodity information; and
  
  prompt the user for transfer documents; and
  
  a transfer documents system configured to;
  
  receive the transfer documents;
  
  search the transfer documents for co-ownership information; and
  
  electronically store the transfer documents and the co-owner information.

269. An electronic ownership control system comprising:
- an access device configured to provide a user with an opportunity to electronically transfer a commodity to a network of commodities;
  
  a server configured to;
  
  notify co-owners of the commodity of the proposed transfer;
  
  provide the co-owners and the user with an opportunity to vote on the proposed transfer using access devices; and
  
  electronically transfer the commodity to a network of commodities.

271. A system for recombining ownership interests in co-owned commodities having units comprising:
- a server configured to exchange a co-ownership interest in one unit of a commodity for a co-ownership interest in another unit of a commodity.

273. A system for aggregating fractional ownership interests in commodities for use in an electronic ownership control system comprising:
- means for combining co-ownership interests of at least one owner in a plurality of units of commodities into a single ownership interest of a particular commodity; and
  
  means for electronically initiating the transfer of the at least one owner'"'"'s ownership interest of the particular commodity.

277. A system for use in an electronic ownership control system comprising:
- means for providing a user with an opportunity to indicate at least one associated party;
  
  means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to transfer an ownership interest in a commodity; and
  
  means for providing the at least one user with an opportunity to indicate a n associated party in connection with the transfer; and
  
  means for electronically initiating the transfer.

283. A system for managing co-owned commodities comprising:
- a server configured to;
  
  receive changes to commodity information for a co-owned commodity; and
  
  determine the co-owners of the co-owned commodity; and
  
  at least one access device associated with each co-owner of the commodity configured to receive a notification of the change in information from the server and indicate the change to the commodity information.

Specification

Resources

Litigation Campaign Assessment

Current Assignee
John C. Vlahoplus, Richard M. Feustel, Jr
Original Assignee
John C. Vlahoplus, Richard M. Feustel, Jr
Inventors
Vlahoplus, John C., Feustel, Richard M. Jr.

Granted Patent

US 7,130,825 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

705/37
CPC Class Codes

G06Q 30/06   Buying, selling or leasing ...

G06Q 40/00   Finance; Insurance; Tax str...

G06Q 40/04   Trading; Exchange, e.g. sto...

Electronic ownership control system and method

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288 Claims

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Electronic ownership control system and method

First Claim

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Abstract

154 Citations

288 Claims

Specification

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