Patent ID: 7315832
Filing Date: 2008-01-01
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of selling items over a computer network, said method comprising: during a preliminary bidding that does not result in sale of an item, providing information about a plurality of items over said computer network and accepting a plurality of increasing preliminary bids for each of said plurality of items, wherein said preliminary bidding for each item continues for a specific set period of time that is included in said information; closing the preliminary bidding for each of said items upon expiration of said period of time corresponding to that item; providing results of said preliminary bidding over said computer network such that bidders can select items from among said plurality of items to bid on during a subsequent sale of said plurality of items; offering each of said items for sale over said computer network, wherein a starting bid for each said item is determined by a highest bid received on that item during said preliminary bidding; receiving increasing bids for each item until a high bid is determined, wherein that item is sold to a bidder providing said high bid.