System and Method for Maintaining Distributor Loyalty
First Claim
1. A method for use by a first entity to benefit a second entity in the operation of an e-commerce enabled web site, the method comprising the steps of:
- allowing a user of the e-commerce enabled web site to select at least one of a product and a service for purchase;
determining a second entity based on information about the user; and
providing a benefit to the second entity.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method, and computer software product for use by a manufacturer to offset a loss of one or more of the manufacturer'"'"'s distributors caused by a displacing a distributor'"'"'s sale when the manufacturer operates an e-commerce enabled web site that sells products directly to consumers. The distributor is compensated in response to be identified by the consumer as where the consumer would have bought the product if the product was not directly available from the manufacturer. The user'"'"'s participation in selecting a distributor can be optional or mandatory. If optional, the user may be compensated for participating. The list of distributors presented to the user is based on equitable selection method so that one distributor is not favored over the others. The distributor may also be compensated without a selection by the consumer by being selected based on the consumer'"'"'s geographic region or the selected product'"'"'s availability at a local distributor.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for use by a first entity to benefit a second entity in the operation of an e-commerce enabled web site, the method comprising the steps of:
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allowing a user of the e-commerce enabled web site to select at least one of a product and a service for purchase;
determining a second entity based on information about the user; and
providing a benefit to the second entity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification