Patent ID: 6980972

Claim:
A method of controlling a network transaction between a user receiver and a content provider occurring over a network operated by a network operator, the content provider offering enhanced content programming relating to the network transaction, the method comprising the steps of: initiating a request for the enhanced content programming, said request initiated by the user receiver and directed at the content provider via the network, wherein the enhanced content programming includes enhanced television signal permitting user interactivity; intercepting the request for enhanced content programming, said intercepting step performed by a third party; appending information to the request for enhanced content programming, said appending step performed by the third party; transmitting the appended request for enhanced content programming to the content provider, said transmitting step performed by the third party; directing the enhanced content programming responsive to said appended request at the user receiver via the network, said directing step performed by the content provider; intercepting the enhanced content programming, said intercepting step performed by the third party and determining whether the enhanced content programming includes markers inserted by the content provider in response to information appended by the third party to the request; determining if the enhanced content programming complies with a set of third party parameters by examining the markers; permitting the enhanced content programming to be received by the user receiver if the enhanced content programming complies with said set of third party parameters; and preventing the enhanced content programming from being received by the user receiver if the enhanced content programming does not comply with said set of third party parameters.