Patent ID: 6470318
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: G06Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A computer-implemented method for brokering trademarks, comprising the steps of:receiving trademarks from potential sellers; obtaining identification descriptions associated with each of said trademarks; populating a trademark brokerage database with said trademarks and said identification descriptions, where said trademarks in said trademark brokerage database being available for acquisition by potential buyers; providing access to said trademark brokerage database for said potential buyers of said trademarks; receiving from said potential buyers trademark queries related to said identification descriptions; generating trademark query results based upon which trademarks satisfy said received queries; presenting said query results to said potential buyers, wherein at least one of said potential buyers acquires one of said trademarks that is in said trademark brokerage database based upon said query results; querying a remote database for additional trademarks to sell based upon trademark maintenance data or trademark affidavit data, said additional trademarks not being available at a first point in time in the trademark brokerage database for acquisition by said potential buyers; receiving from said remote database said new trademarks whose maintenance fees or affidavits are due within a predetermined period; determining at least one owner of said new trademarks who has indicated that the owner's respective trademark is to be placed in said trademark brokerage database as being available for acquisition by a potential buyer; populating said trademark brokerage database with said new trademark of said determined owner; said new trademark in said trademark brokerage database being available for acquisition by potential buyers; receiving from said potential buyers trademark queries related to said new trademark in said trademark brokerage database; generating trademark query results based upon said new trademark satisfying said received trademark query; and presenting said trademark query results to said potential buyers, wherein at least one of said potential buyers acquires said new trademark in said trademark brokerage database based upon said trademark query results.