Computer services and methods for collecting payments from and providing content to web users

US7542943B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · US

Inventors

• Alan Caplan · Seattle, US
• Jonathan Leblang · Menlo Park, US
• Shaun Schooley · Moraga, US
• FuMing Young · Los Altos, US
• Joel R. Spiegel · Seattle, US
• Jeffrey P. Bezos · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 13, 2001
• Grant date: Jun 2, 2009
• Expiry date: Jun 20, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q40/03
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A network-based payment service provides functionality for site operators to add payment links or objects to their sites. When a user selects such a link or object, the payment service may charge a fee to an account of the user, and may redirect a browser of the user to content associated with the link. In some use cases, the payment service may also cause all or a portion of the fee to be divided between multiple entities or site operators; for example, a portion may be paid to an entity responsible for hosting or publishing the payment link or object, and another portion may be paid to an entity that hosts or provides the associated content.