Method and apparatus for word of mouth selling via a communications network
First Claim
1. A method of word of mouth selling comprising:
- maintaining a database associating content information with one or more agents; and
providing said content information associated with an agent in response to a request for said information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A selling method and system that allows individuals or groups to interactively select associate products and services with their online presence in exchange for the online service, as part of an online service, or for some reward, monetary or otherwise. Individuals or groups select products and services from a pool of partner e-commerce retailers or import them from their purchasing histories based on personal preference and may use them as a means of expression for their online audience as part of an online service. This provides e-commerce retailers with self-selected targeted marketing and referral selling to affinity groups, the online version of word of mouth selling. E-commerce retailers share revenue and pay for referrals that occur via this word of mouth selling framework. Online services that have any form of user identity within the context of a larger audience may utilize this form of user based referral selling as a revenue generating tool.
186 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method of word of mouth selling comprising:
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maintaining a database associating content information with one or more agents; and
providing said content information associated with an agent in response to a request for said information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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15. A method of word of mouth selling comprising:
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viewing product or service information associated with an agent from a word of mouth selling system provider; and
selecting one of said product or service for purchase or viewing from a selling service provider. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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23. A system of word of mouth selling comprising:
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means of maintaining a database associating content information with one or more agents; and
means for providing said content information associated with an agent in response to a request for said information. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A system of online referral based selling comprising:
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a user display module adapted to displaying information identifying individuals or groups of individuals and/or their associated content;
a processing module adapted to sending a request to a server system in response to commands from a user, the request indicating a desire for content relating to the individuals or groups of individuals and indicating an identifier of the individuals or groups of individuals whose content is being requested from the server system; and
an information receipt and display module adapted to displaying information received from the server system including products or services associated with the individuals or groups of individuals. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. An associated product or service server system comprising:
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receiving module that receives a request from a user for content regarding at least one product or service associated with at least one individual or group of individuals, the request indicating a desire for content relating to the individuals or groups of individuals and indicating an identifier of the individuals or groups of individuals whose content is being requested;
retrieving module that retrieves additional information regarding the associated product or service purchased or desired by the user;
transmitting module that transmits the content and additional information to the user, wherein the associated products or services have been authorized by the individuals or groups of individuals. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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Specification