System and method for managing sponsorships

US7162429B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Marcus Delgado · Duluth, US
• Sandra J. Evans · Atlanta, US
• Harrison Lantz · Powder Springs, US
• Amy L. Sherwood · Marietta, US
• David L. Furth · Atlanta, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 19, 2001
• Grant date: Jan 9, 2007
• Expiry date: Jun 1, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q50/188
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method for managing sponsorships by a sponsor, in which the party requesting the sponsorship requests to use content owned and protected by the sponsor, such as trademarks, logos, and copyrighted material. An embodiment of the method involves receiving, at a computer network site, a request for sponsorship from a requestor and responding to the request by sending either an approval or a rejection. If an approval is sent, the method further involves providing the requester with access to content of the sponsor through the site. As part of providing this access, the method can involve requiring the requester to accept an agreement posted on the site. The method can also include monitoring the requestor's actual use of the content.