Abstract:
A centralized marketplace for efficient and streamlined third party listings, including advertisements, to be placed within networks of marketplaces. An automated backend coordinates the submission of listing transactions, including the collection of fees, timings of display of listings, etc., as well as providing a platform to organize networks. Network organization may occur with user intervention or automatically by the automated backend by specifying a predetermined set of criteria. Each marketplace or marketplace network may facilitate the placement of listings in affiliated marketplaces and similarly receive listings from affiliates for a fee or free.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/915,395, filed on May 1, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The patterns by which people receive information have been transformed since the use of the internet became widespread and throughout its evolution. Whereas once people consulted larger, general information sources, the trend today is to consult smaller, specialized information sources. Thus, the traffic to larger, general information sources is reduced today in favor of smaller, specialized information sources. Naturally, the owners of the smaller, specialized marketplaces seek to capitalize on listings revenues, but often lack the personnel and other resources to efficiently display listings in their marketplaces. 
         [0003]    During the 1990&#39;s, the internet was dominated by large marketplaces. A marketplace is an online or offline venue that facilitates commerce and may range from large websites to small websites to offline print sources to individuals. Over the history of the internet, a gradual shift from large, varied content marketplaces to smaller, more specialized marketplaces has occurred. This shift, naturally, has led to a revitalization of ways in which content owners, such as advertisers, generate revenue. Many larger marketplaces are loosing traffic to the more specialized marketplaces, which has caused content owners to reevaluate how and where advertising money is spent. 
         [0004]    At the same time, however, the more specialized marketplaces tend to be smaller operations. Often, these marketplaces are created, maintained, and run by individuals or small groups of individuals. Although the marketplaces generate increasing levels of traffic, the overall traffic is relatively small compared to the traffic of the larger marketplaces. Thus, small marketplaces often struggle to attract larger advertising revenues that reflect their increased traffic because these smaller marketplaces do not have the personnel and resources to create and implement extensive advertising schemes. Thus, small marketplaces, although attracting traffic that has traditionally gone to larger marketplaces, are often unable to capture advertising revenues that should follow the increased traffic to their marketplaces. 
         [0005]    Moreover, small marketplaces tend to be specialized and exist with other small marketplaces specializing in the same or similar subject matter. The competing marketplaces often exist in niches that appeal to various groups of traffic, and often include subsets of the same users. These small marketplaces form niche communities, and the owners of the marketplaces tend to be aware of, and in some cases collaborate with, the other similar marketplaces in the niche communities. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A centralized marketplace for efficient and streamlined third party listings, including advertisements, to be placed within networks of marketplaces. An automated backend coordinates the submission of listing transactions, including the collection of fees, timings of display of listings, etc., as well as providing a platform to organize networks. Network organization may occur with user intervention or automatically by the automated backend by specifying a predetermined set of criteria. Each marketplace or marketplace network may facilitate the placement of listings in affiliated marketplaces and similarly receive listings from affiliates for a fee or free. 
         [0007]    According to a feature of the present disclosure, there is disclosed a method comprising a first entity allowing a grouping of a plurality of second entities to receive a listing, the first entity receiving from a third entity content to generate a listing to be provided to the grouping, and the first entity providing the listing to the grouping. 
         [0008]    Also disclosed according to a feature of the present disclosure is a method comprising a first entity collecting data from a plurality of second entities, the data comprising at least a fee to be paid to the second entity for receiving a listing from a third entity, the first entity allowing the third entity to generate a grouping based at least in part on the data, the first entity receiving from the third entity content to generate a listing to be provided to the grouping, the first entity providing the listing to the grouping, the first entity billing the third entity for allowing the third entity to generate the grouping, generating the listing, and providing the listing to the grouping, and providing for each second entity the fee to be paid the second entity for receiving the listing from the third entity. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a method of using a centralized listing backend; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an embodiment of an affiliate system that may be used in conjunction with the centralized listing backend of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a marketplace network that allows a content owner to simultaneously distribute a submitted listing throughout the marketplace network; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A  is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method of distributing listings using a centralized listing backend; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 4B  is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method of distributing listings over a marketplace network using a centralized listing backend; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a method of submitting listings to a marketplace individual. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical, functional, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0017]    According to the present disclosure, the terms “listing” and “advertisement” may be used interchangeably. Similarly, the term “content owner” may be used interchangeably with the term “advertiser.” Finally, the term “first entity” may be used interchangeably with the term “centralized listing backend.” 
         [0018]    In accordance with one embodiment, a centralized listing backend can utilize economics of scale to provide the resources for small marketplaces to earn revenue from listings, defined as content generated by parties independent of a particular marketplace with less expense and investment of energy. A marketplace is an online or offline venue that facilitates commerce and may range from large websites to small websites to offline print sources to individuals. Moreover, by using a centralized backend for listings, content owners, or people, groups of people, or organizations that submit content to a marketplace, may place listings at a single small marketplace and propagate the listing to other marketplaces. In addition, in one embodiment, smaller unique communities can be used as a platform to disseminate certain listings to a larger audience, which helps content providers more effectively place listings based on trends in the marketplace traffic. 
         [0019]    Although one embodiment of the present disclosure is suited for smaller marketplaces, it is equally suited to be used with larger marketplaces to increase the visibility of their listings, in both online and traditional marketplaces, such as magazine and newspaper classifieds. Thus, the present disclosure provides a system and methods to centralize placement of listings. Content owners may therefore follow changes in marketplace traffic patterns, even where the traffic is diverted to small marketplaces where alone, the level of traffic may not justify placement of marketplace content, which are listings submitted by the content owner. 
         [0020]    Turning to an embodiment in  FIG. 1 , marketplaces  130  may be both online or offline, as would be known to artisans. Online marketplaces may be online classified systems, of varying sizes, general or specific content websites, weblogs, commercial websites, and any other online resource where content owners are permitted to submit listings. Offline marketplaces, according to one embodiment, may be traditional print media, such as classified advertisements, newspapers, and magazines. Marketplaces may also comprise radio and television advertising, according to embodiments, as well as individuals, such as a person&#39;s cell phone or computer system. 
         [0021]    According to an embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a marketplace owner creates marketplace  130 . According to one embodiment, marketplace  130  may be a website dedicated to publishing listings  132 , or it may be a website dedicated to another purpose where advertising serves a role in conjunction with the other functions and features of given marketplace  130 . For example, marketplace  130  may solely comprise a collection of classified listings  132  of boats. Similarly, marketplace  130  may comprise content related to boats including articles, discussion forums, and boating getaways, where advertising of boats is provided to the traffic visiting for the other features of marketplace  130 . 
         [0022]    Marketplace owners  110  define their marketplace  130 . According to one embodiment, marketplace owners determine the type or classification of content permitted on their marketplace  130 . The content and other materials found on marketplace  130 , including the subject matter are therefore defined by the marketplace owner and the contributors to marketplace  130 . In one embodiment, a centralized listing backend  140  provides the engine for submission and display of listings  132  and may be used to coordinate the subject matter of listings  132  with the subject matter of marketplace  130  to provide consistency of subject matter. 
         [0023]    According to one embodiment, marketplace owner defines the behavior of centralized listing backend  140  as it applies to their marketplace  130 . According to one embodiment, marketplace owners may define the types or categories of goods or services that may be offered on marketplace  130  via listings  132 . Thus, the marketplace owner can restrict the goods and services advertised to match the subject matter of marketplace  130 , thereby increasing the value of advertising “real estate” on marketplace  130  by providing more productive marketplace content, which makes marketplace  130  more desirable to content owners  110  wishing to place listings  132  offering goods and services related to the subject matter of each marketplace  130 . 
         [0024]    Moreover, marketplace owners may define the layout and scheme of listings  132  posted to their marketplace  130 . According to one embodiment, marketplace owners may supply cascading stylesheets (CSS) or customized HTML, images, and colors to define to look and feel of listings  132 , as known to artisans. Listings  132  are hosted by centralized listing backend  140 , which applies a marketplace owner&#39;s look and feel of listing  132  according to one embodiment. Thus, marketplace owners may duplicate the look and feel of marketplace  130  irrespective of where listing  132  is hosted. Marketplace owners may define fonts, colors, layouts, background images, and so forth of the listing. 
         [0025]    According to one embodiment, marketplace owners may define portions of each marketplace  130  webpage for display of listings  132  instead or in addition to a dedicated page (see  FIG. 1 ). Using a JavaScript or Flash widget, for example, listings  132  may be displayed in predefined areas of marketplace  130 , e.g., a banner or box of predetermined size, by retrieving from centralized listing backend  140  listings  132 . Listings  132  retrieved will be defined by CSS or other similar methods of formatting the look and feel of the smaller listing real estate on marketplace  130 . 
         [0026]    According to similar embodiments, marketplace owners may host listings  132  by receiving syndication feeds of relevant listings  132 . For example, listings  132  may be published and syndicated using an XML feed, such as a really simple syndication (RSS) feed, atom feed, or equivalents, and display listing  132  in marketplaces hosted by the marketplace owner. According to these embodiments, marketplace owners control all aspects of the look and feel of the marketplace. In one embodiment, these principles extend to offline marketplaces. 
         [0027]    Marketplace owners may also define in centralized listing backend  140  administrative features of marketplace  130 , according to one embodiment. Marketplace owners may define fees to be paid by content owners  110  submitting listings  132 . These fees may be flat fees, cost per click fees, or cost per action fees, according to one embodiment. Artisans will recognize the various fee collection fees that may be used in conjunction with internet advertising and that may be implemented in conjunction with the present disclosure. Similarly, marketplace owners define the type of content, such as text, graphical marketplace content, classifieds, and so forth to be submitted, the length of time each listing  132  will persist in marketplace  130 , the number of listings  132  that are permitted on marketplace  130  at any given time, the ways in which listings  132  expire from marketplace  130 , and so forth. According to one embodiment, the marketplace owner may also define whether marketplace  130  hosts an affiliate program and accepts listings  132  for other marketplaces  130  or marketplace networks. Additionally, according to one embodiment, marketplace owner may select additional features such as textual decorations that are permitted for listings  132 , as well as premium content and placement of listings  132 . The feature set available to marketplace owners may vary with the implementation of centralized listing backend  140 . 
         [0028]    Marketplace  130  is administered by centralized listing backend  140 . A content owner  110  visits marketplace  130  to post listing  132 . Using a javascript widget or flash widget, provided by centralized listing backend  140 , for example, content owner  110  submits listing  132 . The widget allows content owner  110  to submit listing  132  to centralized listing backend  140  directly from marketplace  130 . According to one embodiment, however, content owners  110  may visit centralized listing front-end  156  to submit listings  132 , as well. From centralized listing front-end  156 , content owner  110  may select one or more marketplaces  130  to submit listing  132 . 
         [0029]    Referring still to  FIG. 1 , centralized listing backend  140  may publish listings  132  to ancillary marketplaces  152 , as well as make listings generally available to search engines  154 . According to one embodiment, listing  132  is posted to centralized listing backend  140 . Centralized listing backend  140  may then make listings generally available to be searched via centralized listing front-end  156  or via search engines  154 , which serve as ancillary marketplaces together with other marketplaces to which the listing is propagated to. According to one embodiment, search engines  154  may be general search engines or specialized search engines. Moreover, search engines  154  may be search engines dedicated to a given subject matter, according to one embodiment. Integration with search engines  154  and ancillary marketplaces and publishers  152  may be accomplished by providing XML feeds to the relevant marketplaces. XML feeds may comprise syndication feeds, such as RSS or Atom feeds, or may be proprietary, depending on the implementation of the feeds. 
         [0030]    According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , listings  132  are hosted by centralized backend server  140 . When consumer  120  investigates listing  132  link from marketplace  130 , consumer  120  is directed to a listing  132  webpage hosted by centralized listing backend  140 . Because marketplace owners will generally configure listing  132  to mirror the look and feel of marketplace  130 , most users will be unaware when viewing listing  132  that they are no longer viewing content on marketplace  130 , but rather content provided by centralized listing backend  140 . 
         [0031]    Similarly, consumers investigating links to listings  132  from ancillary marketplaces and publishers  152 , search engines  154 , or centralized listing front end  156  will be directed to listing  132 . Listing  132  will be made up with data inputted by content owner  110  during submission of listing  132 . All links in listing  132  webpages will direct consumer  120  to marketplace  130 , according to one embodiment. For example, a user may search centralized listing backend and select listing  132  from a set of results. Selecting listing  132  will take the user to listing  132  page hosted on centralized listing backend  140  which duplicates the look and feel of marketplace  130  where listing  132  was originally submitted. Conversely, where listing  132  is selected on different marketplace  130  where listing  132  was not originally submitted, listing  132  page displayed will mimic the look and feel of different marketplace  130 , but with an annotation indicating that the item was published on marketplace  130  where it was originally published. The look and feel of each particular listing  132  varies case by case according to the various circumstances of the display of each listing  132 . 
         [0032]    Some marketplaces  130 , according to one embodiment, will display listing  132  as a portion of the content of marketplace  130 , as previously described. According to one embodiment, marketplaces  130  may be embedded with javascript widgets, for example, which pull listing  132  from centralized listing backend  140  and display listing  132  as an embedded portion of the overall content of marketplace  130 . According to the exemplary embodiment, listing  132  may comprise a banner or other dedicated marketplace  130  real estate that displays listing  132  content hosted by centralized listing backend  140 . 
         [0033]    According to one embodiment and as previously described, listings  132  may be hosted as part of the content of marketplace  130  by the marketplace owner. Marketplace owners may implement their own marketplace listings using XML feeds as previously described and as known by artisans. 
         [0034]    As previously described, small, subject specific marketplaces tend to be familiar with other marketplaces offering similar content subject matter. Content owners that target the traffic of small, subject specific marketplaces stand to benefit from propagating a listing to a group of similarly situated marketplaces rather than visiting each to submit listing  132 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , content owners  110 ,  112  may propagate listings  132  (see  FIG. 1 ) to multiple marketplaces  130 ,  134  by visiting single marketplace  134  or a small subset of marketplaces  130 ,  134  where the content owners  110 ,  112  wish to submit listings  132 . Centralized listing backend  140  provides a platform for propagation of listing  132  from marketplace  134  to marketplace  130 , as shown in an exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3 . According to one embodiment, marketplace owners receive a portion of revenues when listing  132  is propagated to their marketplace  130  from another marketplace  134 . 
         [0036]    According to an embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , content owner  110  may submit listing  132  to a single marketplace  130 . Marketplace owner, as part of the process of creating marketplace  130 , will decide the payment structure for content owner&#39;s submission of listing  132 . The payment structure, as previously described, may be any payment structure known to artisans for advertising goods and services online or offline, to which the principles of the present disclosure apply. For example, marketplace owner may charge content owner  110  based on a flat fee, cost per clicks (CPC), or cost per action (CPA), or real estate occupied by listing  132 , according to one embodiment. 
         [0037]    For example, marketplace owner decides that marketplace content placed by content owners  110  on marketplace  130  will cost $200 for a week. Marketplace  130  is dedicated to sailboats, and contains articles relating to sailing, product reviews, America&#39;s Cup information, and other features of interest to sailors. Content owner  110  is a sailboat parts manufacturer and wishes to sell sailboat accessories. Content owner  110  chooses to place listing  132  to sell sailboat accessories on marketplace  130 . Content owner  110  visits marketplace  130  to submit listing  132 . Content owner  110  is directed to a form or other submission method, as would be known and understood by artisans. 
         [0038]    Submission of listing  132  is made and ultimately submitted to centralized listing backend  140 . Centralized listing backend  140  receives listing  132  and charges content owner  110  for placement of listing  132  and receives revenue  200 , according to one embodiment. Centralized listing backend  140 , according to one embodiment, retains a portion of revenue  200 . Indeed, the services of centralized listing backend  140  may rely solely on retaining a portion of revenues  200  for listings  132  posted to marketplaces  130  according to one embodiment. 
         [0039]    Marketplace owner, according to the embodiment, receives revenue  200  collected by centralized listing backend  140  less any portion of revenue retained by centralized listing backend  140 . Thus, marketplace owner may use centralized listing backend  140  to increase revenues by inducing placements of listings  132  without the need to maintain a marketplace backend to handle listings  132 , including submission of the listings, display of the listings, timing of displays, expiry of listings, etc., and payment of revenue for each listing  132  submitted. 
         [0040]    Referring still to embodiments shown in  FIG. 3 , content owners  112  may also submit to a plurality of marketplaces  130 ,  134  in a single step by submitting listing  132  to single marketplace  134  and propagating listing  132  to other marketplaces, for example to marketplace  130 . For the purposes of the discussion below, marketplace  130  will be understood to represent at least one marketplace where listing  132  is propagated. 
         [0041]    According to one embodiment, content owner  112  may wish to submit listing  132  to a number of related marketplaces  130 ,  134 . Centralized listing backend  140  provides a framework to submit listing  132  to single marketplace  134  and propagate listing  132  to a plurality of marketplaces, for example marketplace  130 . Propagation can occur to a virtually unlimited number of marketplaces, provided the marketplaces are connected to centralized listing backend  140 . 
         [0042]    Centralized listing backend  140  handles propagation of listings  132 , according to one embodiment. Because centralized listing backend  140  hosts listing  132  (see e.g.,  FIG. 1 ), each marketplace  130 ,  134  where listing  132  is submitted or propagated by centralized listing backend  140  need only be configured with a javascript widget to have listings  132  displayed, according to one embodiment. Where marketplace  130 ,  134  directly hosts listings  132 , listings  132  submitted via other marketplaces may be received via XML feed, as previously described. 
         [0043]    According to one embodiment, revenues  202  are generated for the marketplace  134  where submission of listing  132  occurs as previously described. According to one embodiment and as shown in  FIG. 3  via dashed lines, which shows the how payment occurs when the listing is originally submitted to marketplace  134  and propagated to marketplace  130 . Naturally, for content owner  112  to place listing  132  with both marketplace  134  and marketplace  130 , content owner  112  must pay the fee to place listing  132  with each marketplace  130 ,  134 . Because marketplace owners set their own revenue structures, content owners may be obligated to pay different fees or participate in different fee arrangements from marketplace to marketplace. A marketplace may charge a flat fee of $200 to place the listing for a week and another marketplace may charge $0.05 per click on listing  132 , for example. Centralized listing backend  140  will collect fees from content owners  110 ,  112  based on the parameters defined by the marketplace owner for each marketplace  130 ,  134  where listing  132  is published. 
         [0044]    Additionally, according to one embodiment, marketplace owners may create an affiliate-type program to provide incentives to other marketplace owners to propagate listings  132  placed on their marketplaces  134  to marketplaces  130 , so that marketplace  130  may also earn listing  132  submission fees. As referred to earlier, small, specialized content marketplaces tend to be aware of similar marketplaces. Moreover, content owners  112  are less inclined to place listings at single, small marketplaces with limited traffic, but more inclined to place listings with a number of similar marketplaces to increase the number of viewers of their listings  132 . Thus, marketplace owners are in position to point content owners  112  to other marketplaces  130  to increase the traffic potentially viewing their listings  132 , thereby bring content owners  112  to their marketplace  134  by providing the incentive of connecting content owner  112  with similar marketplaces. Thus, content owners  112  may submit listing  132  at single marketplace  134  and choose to propagate listing  132  to similar marketplaces  130 , without visiting each one or even being aware of the existence of the other marketplaces  130  before visiting marketplace  134 . 
         [0045]    According to one embodiment, content owner  112  submits listing  132  via marketplace  134 . Each marketplace owner may decide whether to participate in the affiliate-type program and the affiliates that will be offered to content owners  112  for listing  132  propagation during submission to marketplace  112 , according to one embodiment. Marketplace owners, according to further embodiments, decide the affiliate fee they will pay for listings propagated to their marketplace  130  as part of participation in the affiliate type program. 
         [0046]    According to one embodiment, during the listing submission process, content owner  112  may be presented with an option to propagate listing  132  to marketplaces  130  other than marketplace  134  on which content owner  112  is directly submitting listing  132 . According to further embodiments, owner of marketplace  134  will have discretion as to which affiliate marketplaces  130  are presented to content owner  112 . Consequently, if owner of marketplace  134  does not want to propagate listings  132  submitted via marketplace  134  to marketplaces  130  that do not pay an affiliate fee or that marketplace owner does not want to drive content owners  112  to, the marketplace owner may omit them from the marketplaces to which content owner  112  may elect to propagate listing  132 . Furthermore, owner of marketplace  134  may choose not to affiliate with any other marketplace; consequently, content owner  112  will be unable to propagate listing  132  to other marketplaces  130  from marketplace  134 . Centralized listing backend  140  handles propagation and interaction with content owner  112  regarding propagation choices, according to one embodiment. 
         [0047]    As exemplified in  FIG. 3 , content owner  112  submits listing  132  to marketplace  134 . During the submission process, content owner  112  is offered a choice of affiliates with which to propagate listing  132 . According to one embodiment, centralized listing backend  140  coordinates which marketplaces, for example marketplace  130 , are offered to content owner  112 . The offered choice of affiliates may detail various information about each affiliate including the price to list with the affiliate and other useful information, such as a summary of the subject matter offered at marketplace  130 . In one embodiment, additional information is offered to a content owner  112  in conjunction with the decision as to which marketplaces to propagate listing  132 . 
         [0048]    Content owner  112  selects affiliates to which content owner  112  wishes to propagate listing  132 . Content owner  112  may select, in addition to submission of listing  132  to marketplace  134 , to have central listing backend  140  propagate listing to affiliated marketplaces  130 . Although content owner  112  submits listing  132  directly only through marketplace  134 , centralized listing backend propagates listing  132  to affiliated marketplaces selected by content owner  112 , such as marketplace  130 . Content owner  112  must then pay revenues to each marketplace  134 ,  130  that content owner  112  either directly submits listing  132  to or chooses to have listing  132  propagated to, represented in  FIG. 3  by the dashed line as revenue  202  and revenue  200 . Marketplace  134  may receive an affiliate fee from affiliated marketplace  130  for referring listing  132  to affiliated marketplace  130 . Revenues are collected by centralized listing backend  140  and distributed to the owner of each marketplace. 
         [0049]    For example, for submitting listing  132  to marketplace  134 , revenue  202  is collected by centralized listing backend  140  and redistributed to the owner of marketplace  134 . The revenue would comprise the listing fee revenue  202  less any portion of revenue  202  retained by centralized listing backend  140 . For propagating listing  132  to affiliated marketplace  130 , the owner of marketplace  134  may receive an affiliate fee. The affiliate fee may be determined by affiliated marketplace  130  or by marketplace  134 , according to various embodiments and is added to revenue  202  that is paid to the owner of marketplace  134 . Additionally, centralized listing backend  140  may retain a portion of revenue  200  to be paid to the owner of marketplace  130 . Thus, revenue  200  paid to affiliated marketplace  130  owner will be gross revenue  200  less the affiliate fee paid to marketplace  134  owner and the portion retained by centralized listing backend  140 . 
         [0050]    For example, a sail manufacturer wishes to submit listing to a general boating marketplace for a flat fee of $200 for one week. However, the sail manufacturer also wishes to increase sales by submitting listings to other marketplaces dedicated to boating, particularly sailboating. During the submission process of the sail manufacturer&#39;s listing, sail manufacturer is presented with an option to propagate the listing to a dedicated sailboat marketplace for an additional $225. The sailboat marketplace offers a $25 affiliate fee for referral of advertisers. The sail manufacturer selects both the general boating marketplace and the sailboat marketplace to submit and display a listing for custom-made sails. 
         [0051]    Thus, because the custom-made sails listing is submitted to the general boating marketplace, the general boating marketplace earns a gross revenue of $200. Similarly, because the sail manufacturer elected to propagate the custom-made sales listing to the sailboating marketplace, the sailboating marketplace makes a gross revenue of $225. However, the centralized listing backend retains $50 of the gross revenue of each transaction. Additionally, the sailboating marketplace pays the general boating marketplace the $25 affiliate fee. 
         [0052]    Consequently, for having the listing displayed for one week at both marketplaces, the general boating marketplace is paid $175 ($200 gross revenue−$50 centralized listing backend fee+$25 affiliate fee paid from the sailboating marketplace). The sailboating marketplace is paid $150 ($225$50 centralized listing backend fee−$25 affiliate fee paid to the general boating marketplace). 
         [0053]    Centralized listing backend  140  automatically calculates the fees owed to each marketplace  130 ,  134 , according to one embodiment. Consequently, affiliate fees are not paid directly from marketplace  130  to marketplace  134 , but rather centralized listing backend  140  calculates and adjusts revenues  200 ,  202  to reflect the amount owed to each marketplace  130 ,  134 . Content owners  110 ,  112  tender payment in one of several ways, as well as revenues  200 ,  202  are dispersed to the marketplaces  130 ,  134  in one of several ways. 
         [0054]    In one embodiment, centralized listing backend  140  screens listings and only permits propagation to marketplaces  130 ,  134  suitable for the listings. Thus, referring again to the boat example, a water ski company would be permitted to submit listing to the general boating marketplace. However, according to one embodiment an option to propagate the listing to the sailboat marketplace would not be presented, as water skis are not used with sail boats. According to other embodiments, if listing  132  is unsuitable for a single marketplace that is offered to content owner  112  among a group of affiliates during the submission process of listing  132 , content owner  112  may be precluded from propagating listing  132  altogether. 
         [0055]    According to still similar embodiments, marketplace owner  130  precludes having listing  132  listed on their marketplace  130 , regardless of the origin. Thus, marketplace owners  110  retain control over the content of their marketplaces  130 , despite the ability of content owners  112  to propagate listing  132  to marketplace owner&#39;s  110  marketplace  130 . Likewise according to other embodiments, marketplace owner  112  similarly precludes listing  132  that is submitted directly to their marketplace  134 . 
       Market Place Networks 
       [0056]    According to one embodiment and as shown in  FIG. 3 , marketplace owners may also aggregate into marketplace networks  136 , which comprise a collection of compatible marketplaces  138 ,  238   a - f . Use of a marketplace networks  136  allows content owners  112  to place listing in all marketplaces  138 ,  238   a - f  in marketplace network  136  without the need to place listing in marketplace  138  and thereafter select other marketplaces to propagate listing. 
         [0057]    According to one embodiment, content owners  110  pay a single price to propagate listing to all marketplaces  138 ,  238   a - f  belonging to marketplace network  136 . Distribution of fees paid to marketplace network  136 , according to one embodiment, are determined based on the terms of the relationship between marketplaces  138 ,  238   a - f  and marketplace network  136 . According to similar embodiments, marketplace network  136  will participate in each marketplace  138 ,  238   a - f  affiliate program. If the terms of a given marketplace&#39;s affiliate program are incompatible with the terms of marketplace network  136 , that particular marketplace will not join marketplace network  136  unless a different agreement is made, according to one embodiment. 
         [0058]    Marketplace network  136  is, according to one embodiment, created on centralized listing backend  140 . Each marketplace network  136  comprises a defined set of business terms, according to one embodiment. Business terms of the marketplace network may be the same or similar to the type of business terms defined on a marketplace within the marketplace network, or may comprise different terms. 
         [0059]    To form marketplace network  136 , according to one embodiment, marketplace network  136  owner may register with centralized listing backend  140 . Marketplace network  136  owner creates marketplace network  136  and invites marketplaces  138  to join marketplace network  136 . Marketplaces invited to join marketplace network may include a particular marketplace owned by marketplace network owner among other marketplaces or may comprise only marketplaces not owned by marketplace network owner. 
         [0060]    According to one embodiment, when a marketplace owner receives an invitation to join marketplace network  136 , the invitation includes a proposal for the business terms between that marketplace owner and marketplace network owner. These terms define the relationship between marketplace network owner and marketplace owner, for example, how monies collected when listing is submitted are dispersed between marketplace  138 ,  238   a - f  and marketplace network  136 . According to one embodiment, affiliate fee terms may be used as part of the terms or marketplace network owner and marketplace owner may negotiate different terms. According to one embodiment, marketplaces  138 ,  238   a - f  may be configured to automatically join invitations from marketplace network  136  when a threshold level of one or more terms are met by marketplace network&#39;s  136  invitation. 
         [0061]    Similarly, according to one embodiment, marketplace network owners may invite marketplaces to join marketplace network  136 . As part of this process, terms are presented and both marketplace and marketplace network  136  will have an opportunity to accept the terms of the relationship. If either party does not accept the terms or modifies the terms as presented, both parties must agree to the same terms for the relationship to form. According to one embodiment, marketplace owners belonging to marketplace network  136  may invite other marketplaces to join marketplace network  136 ; according to one embodiment, a finders fee may be paid for inviting additional marketplaces to join. 
         [0062]    The relationship between each marketplace  138 ,  238   a - f  and the respective marketplace network  136  to which it belongs may be terminated at any time by either party or as defined by the terms. Listings that were submitted while the relationship between marketplace  138 ,  238   a - f  and marketplace network  136  existed will be honored as if the relationship continued to exist, according to one embodiment, if the relationship dissolved after the listing was submitted. 
         [0063]    When listing is posted to marketplace network  136 , the listing is automatically propagated to each marketplace  138 ,  238   a - f  belonging to marketplace network  136 , according to one embodiment. Similarly, when the listing is placed with marketplace  138  as previously described, content owner  112  may select to propagate listing  132  to affiliated marketplaces  130 ,  134  (See  FIG. 3 ) or to marketplace network  136 . According to one embodiment, marketplace network  136  may be listed in a list of affiliated marketplace  130 ,  134  ( FIG. 2 ) to propagate listings. 
         [0064]    According to one embodiment, marketplace networks  136  are defined by statistics or metadata. For example, given marketplace network  136  may be defined by metadata including the number of marketplaces  138 ,  238   a - f  that belong to given marketplace network  136 , the number of visitors accessing marketplaces  138 ,  238   a - f  that are part of given marketplace network  136 , the number of unique users attracted in a time period to marketplaces  138 ,  238   a - f  that are part of a given marketplace network  136 , the number of views and unique viewers of particular listings, etc. Similarly, according to one embodiment, if marketplaces  138 ,  238   a - f  are defined by particular metadata (i.e., geographic information, age range targeted by marketplace network  136 , income of people attracted to particular marketplaces  138 ,  238   a - f  etc.), that metadata may be used to further define marketplace network  136 . According to one embodiment, these data are collected as each marketplace  138 ,  238   a - f  joins marketplace network  136  or on an ongoing basis. 
         [0065]    According to one embodiment, situations may arise where marketplace network  136  will be attractive to so many marketplaces that marketplace network  136  owner cannot practically evaluate and invite all suitable marketplaces to join marketplace network  136 . Centralized listing backend  140 , according to one embodiment, provides an automated mechanism to add marketplaces to marketplace network  136 . According to the embodiment, marketplace network  136  owner defines the type of marketplaces that are suitable for marketplace network  136 . Additionally, further parameters may be defined such as cost, geography, individual demographics, etc. Centralized listing backend  140  then identifies marketplaces that are eligible to join marketplace network  136  based on the metadata or other similar evaluation criteria of each marketplace  138  and the selected marketplaces to join marketplace network  136 . 
         [0066]    Similarly, according to one embodiment, centralized listing backend  140  provides one or more tools for allowing marketplace network owner to set the criteria marketplaces must meet to join marketplace network  136 . For example, “sliders” may be provided to allow marketplace network owners to easily set the relevant joining criteria. When marketplace network owner adjusts the sliders for each parameter, centralized listing backend  140  generates the appropriate data automatically that define marketplace network  136 . For example, a slider is provided for cost, geography, age, etc. Each slider defines a range for the given parameters. For example, the cost range may start at $0.01 and end at $1,000. If marketplace network  136  is created for marketplaces specializing in used automobiles, a cost slider could be positioned by marketplace network owner at or near $1,000, precluding marketplaces or listings that deal predominantly with car accessories under $1,000 in price. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate embodiments of a method for implementing marketplaces and marketplace networks. As disclosed herein, marketplaces may exist independent of networks or as part of a marketplace network. When a marketplace is not part of a marketplace network, it may still be affiliated with one or more other marketplaces and have listings submitted to affiliated marketplaces propagated to it to earn revenues. 
         [0068]    According to one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4A , listing system  1000  includes a centralized listing backend to provide a listing service for marketplaces  1010 . Marketplaces subscribe to the centralized listing backend to handle placement of listings instead of handling the listings locally, as disclosed herein. Content owners then submit listings to selected marketplaces via the centralized listing backend  1020 . The centralized listing backend receives the listings and, based on criteria determined for each marketplace, formats and provides the listing to the marketplace  1030 . According to one embodiment, users will be unable to differentiate between the marketplace and the listing content shown and hosted on the centralized listing backend. The centralized listing backend also distributes the listing to third party marketplaces  1040 , as selected by the content owner or as default setting of the centralized listing backend (e.g., making the listing available to users who perform searches directly on centralized listing backend). Listings which are selected for viewing on third party marketplaces are then optionally referred back to the originating marketplace, according to one embodiment  1050 . 
         [0069]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , marketplace network listing system  2000  operates similarly. According to an embodiment, centralized listing backend provides a listing service for marketplace networks  2010 . Centralized listing backend provides a platform for organizing marketplace networks. Prior to listings being submitted to a marketplace network, each marketplace network must be created. Marketplace networks comprise a plurality of marketplaces. As such, a marketplace network may be manually formed by a marketplace network owner as described herein  2005 A by inviting a group of marketplaces to join under a predetermined set of terms, according to one embodiment. Alternatively, according to one embodiment, marketplace network may be formed by an automated process  2005 B. The automated process allows the marketplace network creator to specify one or more demographics and centralized listing backend forms the marketplace network based on the specified demographics. 
         [0070]    After a marketplace network is formed  2005 A,  2005 B, listings may be submitted to it  1020 . As previously described, content owner submits a listing to centralized listing backend  1020 . The centralized listing backend generates the listing  1030  and distributes the listing to each marketplace belonging to the marketplace network  1040 . 
       Marketplace Individuals 
       [0071]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , according to a similar embodiment, individuals may also be marketplaces. Marketplace individual  330  may comprise, for example, an email address, an operating system desktop widget  330 A, a cellular phone platform  330 B, a personal digital assistant  330 C, a telephone number, etc. Indeed, marketplace individual  330  may comprise communication mediums wherein an individual is the final recipient of the communication. Various communications mediums that an individual uses may therefore be used as marketplace. Like larger marketplace owners, marketplace individual  330  may set the terms in which listings may be propagated to marketplace individual  330 . For example, marketplace individual  330  may permit telemarketers to call their phone number for a fee, for example $0.50 per call. Similarly, marketplace individuals  330  may define the listings  332  that are permitted and those that are not permitted. 
         [0072]    According to one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 5 , the same parameters may be specified by marketplace individual  330 , where applicable, as previously described. Additionally and according to one embodiment, marketplace individuals  330  may comprise additional or different data as part of the metadata associated with marketplace  330 , which provides information to content owners  310  and allows content owners  310  to make educated choices regarding whether to publish listings  332  on each marketplace individual  330 . According to one embodiment, these data comprise at least demographic data, for example age group, gender, geography, etc., which are useful to content owners  310  for the purposes of targeting a selected audience. According to one embodiment, centralized listing backend  140  provides a platform for distribution of revenues  350  to marketplace individual  330  and for receiving content and payment from content owners  310 , where appropriate. 
         [0073]    Marketplace networks  136  (see  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ) provide an effective platform for reaching these marketplace individuals  330 . For example, content owner  310  may be a marketing firm that creates marketplace network  136  for the purpose of distributing email advertisements to marketplace individuals  330 . The marketing firm decides to target any marketplace individual  330  who will accept email advertisements for $0.05 or less, based on the defined terms and demographic data provided by marketplace individual  330 . According to one embodiment, centralized listing backend  140  would use the automated evaluation and invitation feature to target marketplaces individuals  330  meeting the selected criteria. Similarly, additional data could similarly be evaluated by the marketing firm and automatically used to target more narrow combinations of parameters. For example, the marketing firm may be sending an email advertisement for a new video game that would be attractive to teenaged young men. The marketing firm could use parameters to create marketplace network  136  to target multiple parameters of marketplaces individuals  330 : gender, age group, and those that will accept email advertisements for $0.05 or less. 
         [0074]    The process described above can be stored in a memory of a computer system as a set of instructions to be executed. In addition, the instructions to perform the processes described above could alternatively be stored on other forms of machine-readable media, including magnetic and optical disks. For example the processes described could be stored on machine-readable media, such as magnetic disks or optical disks, which are accessible via a disk drive (or computer-readable medium drive). Further, the instructions can be downloaded into a computing device over a data network in a form of compiled and linked version. 
         [0075]    Alternatively, the logic to perform the processes as discussed above could be implemented in additional computer and/or machine readable media, such as discrete hardware components as large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), firmware such as electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROMs); and electrical, optical, acoustical and other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc. 
         [0076]    While the apparatus and method have been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and effective embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The present disclosure includes any and all embodiments of the following claims.