Patent ID: 7162429
Filing Date: 2007-01-09
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for managing sponsorships comprising the steps of: electronically receiving, at a computer network site, a request for sponsorship from a requester, wherein the request for sponsorship from the requestor includes a request that an entity provide sponsorship as a sponsor according to the request for sponsorship from the requestor; responding to the request for sponsorship from the requester by determining whether to approve the request for sponsorship from the requester; responsive to the request for sponsorship from the requestor being approved, sending a request to the requestor to accept an agreement, wherein the agreement is an agreement between the sponsor and the requestor regarding terms and conditions for use of controlled sponsor content that is otherwise not available to the requestor; responsive to receiving acceptance by the requestor of the agreement between the sponsor and the requester regarding terms and conditions for use of the controlled sponsor content that is otherwise not available to requester, providing the requestor with access to the controlled sponsor content through the site and transmitting the controlled sponsor content to the requestor; sending a communication to the requestor asking for a sample use of the controlled sponsor content for monitoring actual use by the requestor of the controlled sponsor content; receiving the sample use of the controlled sponsor content from the requester; determining whether the sample use of the controlled sponsor content complies with the agreement between the sponsor and the requestor regarding the terms and conditions for use of the controlled sponsor content; and responsive to the sample use of the controlled sponsor content not complying with the agreement between the sponsor and the requester regarding the terms and conditions for use of the controlled sponsor content, sending a communication to the requestor citing improper use of the controlled sponsor content and terminating access for the requestor to the controlled sponsor content through the site.