Web-based transactional system
First Claim
1. A method of electronically forming or modifying agreements comprising the steps of:
- via a wide area network (WAN), providing host computing via a host computer system, said host computer system accessible via a web site;
providing a network having a plurality each of buyers and sellers accessible by communication via said web site;
providing, via said host computer system, contract templates relating to predefined contractual types to network buyers and sellers interested in negotiating contracts governing contractual relations therebetween;
providing direct, electronic negotiation and mutual manifestation of assent between network buyers and sellers interested in negotiating contracts via said web site, including on-line modifications and counter-proposals;
wherein the terms of contracts formed using said method are not limited to auction bids and acceptances.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A novel wide area-networked system and method allows users of a web site-based network to negotiate, modify and interpret the performance of complex agreements between network users via the web site. A web site host computer system provides contract templates governing the general type of contractual relations contemplated by the contractual parties, and allows direct negotiation between the users via the web site. Complex terms are allowable, including those that vary the price of goods and services over the course of a contract, such as volume discounts, rebates, and other incentives. The host computer system also serves to locate buyers and sellers with similar contractual interests and provides a history of previous network contracts to give potential buyers and sellers an idea of probable contractual terms when dealing with a prospective contractual party.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of electronically forming or modifying agreements comprising the steps of:
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via a wide area network (WAN), providing host computing via a host computer system, said host computer system accessible via a web site;
providing a network having a plurality each of buyers and sellers accessible by communication via said web site;
providing, via said host computer system, contract templates relating to predefined contractual types to network buyers and sellers interested in negotiating contracts governing contractual relations therebetween;
providing direct, electronic negotiation and mutual manifestation of assent between network buyers and sellers interested in negotiating contracts via said web site, including on-line modifications and counter-proposals;
wherein the terms of contracts formed using said method are not limited to auction bids and acceptances. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for electronically forming or modifying agreements comprising:
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a wide area network (WAN);
a host computer system accessible via a web site; and
a network having a plurality each of buyers and sellers accessible by communication via said web site;
wherein said host computer system provides, via said web site, contract templates relating to predefined contractual types to network buyers and sellers interested in negotiating contracts governing contractual relations therebetween;
wherein said host computer system provides direct, electronic negotiation and mutual manifestation of assent between network buyers and sellers interested in negotiating contracts via said web site, including on-line modifications and counter-proposals; and
wherein the terms of contracts formed using said method are not limited to auction bids and acceptances. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification