System and method to control sending of unsolicited communications relating to a plurality of listings in a network-based commerce facility
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method to control sending of unsolicited communications over a network is provided. Typically, the network is the Internet and the system defines a SPAM prevention tool for users of an on-line service, such as an on-line bidding service. Users may contact an intended recipient with a contact form, which is forwarded to the recipient'"'"'s e-mail address by an on-line service provider. A link accessible from a Web site allows recipients of unsolicited e-mail to complain to the on-line service provider. Sanctions are implemented against the sender of unsolicited e-mail based on the frequency of complaints. When the complaint level against a sender reaches a certain threshold, the sender is unable to use the contact form for a predetermined time period.
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Citations
107 Claims
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1-77. -77. (canceled)
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78. A method to control sending of communications relating to a plurality of listings in a network-based system, the method including:
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presenting at least one listing via the network-based system;
monitoring a request from a sending user to communicate with a recipient user associated with the at least one listing;
generating, at the network-based system, a contact form to receive a message to be communicated to the recipient user without the sending user viewing contact information of the recipient user, and communicating the contact form to the sending user; and
communicating, from the network-based system, an electronic communication including the message to the recipient user over the network. - View Dependent Claims (79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 101)
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93. A network-based system comprising:
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a listing server to present at least one listing via the network-based system;
a page server to monitor a request from a sending user and to communicate with a recipient user associated with the at least one listing and to generate a contact form, the contact form to receive a message from the sending user, the message to be communicated over the network to the recipient user without the sending user viewing contact information of the recipient user; and
a communications server to communicate an electronic communication including the message over the network. - View Dependent Claims (94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100)
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102. A network-based system to control sending of communications over a network, the system including:
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means for presenting to a sending user at least one listing via the network-based system;
means for monitoring a request from the sending user to communicate with a recipient user associated with at least one of the plurality of listings;
means for generating a contact form to receive a message to be communicated to the recipient user without the sending user viewing contact information of the recipient user;
means for communicating the contact form to the sending user; and
means for communicating at a network-based system, an electronic communication including the message to the recipient user over the network.
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103. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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receiving a request to communicate a message to a user of an on-line service;
presenting a contact form for receiving the message, wherein the contact form does not include contact information associated with the user; and
transmitting an electronic communication to the user, wherein the electronic communication includes the message. - View Dependent Claims (104, 105, 106, 107)
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Specification