Abstract: The invention contemplates an apparatus for communication among users through a network of central computers and user workstations. An individual marketplace system consists of one or more central computers and a plurality of user workstations, wherein an individual marketplace involves a particular industry or other topic of interest. Users of the system are consumers, suppliers, and organizations or servicers who are linked to the network through their respective workstations. Each marketplace system is operated by a sponsor and their agents who determine whether the marketplace system is open or closed with regard to who may use their respective marketplace system. Message switching/distribution centers facilitate communications within an individual marketplace system, but users of one marketplace system may communicate with other marketplace systems. The communications of users comprise messages, transactions, etc. between users, with such communications consisting of data.

Abstract: A method for use by buyers and sellers in the execution of trades. The price of each executed trade within the system is logged. Next, a trend line is derived from the logged trades. The trading fee for a particular trade is determined based on the difference between the trade's price and the trend line as well as the size of the trade. This fee is imposed upon the buyer if the price of the trade is below the trend line, or imposed upon the seller if the price of the trade is above the trend line. The market markers in each item are evaluated according to how narrow their spreads were at the time of each transaction, and receive periodic bonuses based on these evaluations. A “crisis fee” is imposed on trades in the system when particularly measured qualities exceed normal bounds.