Patent ID: 7711851

Claim:
A method for leasing of domain names in an electronic marketplace, comprising: (a) receiving domain names from lessors at an electronic marketplace; (b) presenting the domain names for lease of redirected traffic utilizing the electronic marketplace, wherein a potential lessee can specify criteria for selecting the domain names on which the potential lessee wishes to bid; (c) receiving a bid from each of a plurality of bidding lessees at the electronic marketplace, the electronic marketplace including information on lessors, lessees, bid terms, payment transfers from lessees to lessors; (d) comparing bid amounts for a domain name matching the criteria to determine at least one winning bid; (e) automatically redirecting traffic associated with the domain name to an internet site associated with the winning bid; and (f) utilizing the electronic marketplace to automatically place a sponsored link on a lessor's domain at times when no successful bids from lessees have been received for redirected traffic from the domain.