Patent ID: 6349288
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
A system for implementing access over a computer network to pay-per-view (ppv) information on the network, the ppv information provided by a vendor and accessed by a consumer, the consumer having an account with a first broker holding resources for paying for access to the ppv information, and the vendor having an account with a second broker for receiving payment for access to the ppv information, the system comprising:a price tag server, for providing to the consumer a description of the ppv information and also a means for executing a purchase of access to the ppv information, the means of executing the purchase including a link to a receipt server; the receipt server, for providing to the consumer a receipt including a link to the ppv information and also a link to a refund server for requesting a refund; and the refund server, for providing the consumer with a means for explaining why a refund should be granted, for receiving the explanation from the consumer, for communicating the request to the vendor, for receiving from the vendor a decision on the request, and for communicating that decision to the consumer, and also for adjusting the vendor account if the vendor grants the refund; wherein the price tag server, the receipt server, and the refund server are each operated by the second broker, who is other than the vendor, wherein at least the refund server accommodates more than one vendor, and further wherein the refund server monitors refund-granting by each vendor making use of the system.