Patent ID: 6865559
Filing Date: 2005-03-08
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for processing a transaction in electronic commerce using data processing systems, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: receiving a transaction message at a data processing system of an escrow service, wherein the transaction message comprises a description of goods to be transferred during a transaction between a seller of the goods and a buyer of the goods; accepting payment for the goods from the buyer at the escrow service; in response to accepting payment for the goods from the buyer, sending by the escrow service to the seller a notification message of acceptance of payment for the goods; holding the payment in escrow by the escrow service; sending by the escrow service to an inspection service a description message that describes the goods to be transferred during the transaction; receiving at the escrow service from the inspection service a first certification message for the transaction after accepting payment for the goods from the buyer and before receipt of the goods by the buyer, wherein the first certification message indicates that a physical state of the goods is acceptably similar to the description of the goods during an inspection of the goods by the inspection service.