Method and apparatus for providing items to users in a computer network
First Claim
1. A method of delivering advertising to users in a computer network, the method comprising:
- designating a plurality of items as member items of a group;
making the member items available over the computer network;
downloading at least one member item to a computer; and
delivering advertising to the computer even if no member item is being utilized in the computer.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, items are designated as members of a group of items. The group of items are then made available to users. Users who have received any member item are provided additional items. Additional items are provided to a user who has received a member item, so long as the user retains any member item and regardless of whether the user is utilizing any member item. For example, advertising or promotional materials may be provided to a user so long as the user retains any member item which may include free or reduced-cost computer programs. The delivery of advertising or promotional materials may occur even if the user is not using any of the computer programs. In one embodiment, the advertising or promotional materials are delivered over the Internet.
63 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of delivering advertising to users in a computer network, the method comprising:
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designating a plurality of items as member items of a group;
making the member items available over the computer network;
downloading at least one member item to a computer; and
delivering advertising to the computer even if no member item is being utilized in the computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer comprising:
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an item provided in exchange for the right to deliver advertising to the computer;
computer-readable program code for detecting the item in the computer; and
computer-readable program code for delivering a piece of advertising to the computer so long as the item remains in the computer and regardless of whether the item is being used. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of providing items to users comprising:
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designating any member of a group of items as a member item;
making one or more member items available to a user;
providing at least one member item to the user; and
providing additional items to the user so long as the user retains at least one member item and regardless of whether the user is utilizing any member item. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification