Patent ID: 7769666

Claim:
A method implemented by a programmed computer for transfer of employee stock options, the method comprising: providing, using the programmed computer, a plurality of option value prices; facilitating, using the programmed computer, transfer of ownership of an employee stock option from an employee holding the employee stock option to an issuer of the employee stock option without exercising the employee stock option; determining, using the programmed computer, a stock trading price corresponding to a particular one of the plurality of option value prices; providing, using the programmed computer, a value to the employee corresponding to the particular one of the plurality of option value prices in exchange for the transfer of ownership of the employee stock option from the employee; amending, using the programmed computer, the employee stock option without exercising the employee stock option; transferring, using the programmed computer, the amended stock option to the third party without exercising the amended stock option; and receiving, using the programmed computer, a value from the third party corresponding to the amended stock option in exchange for transferring the amended stock option to the third party.