Abstract: Users of a computer network (e.g., the Internet) can be encouraged to access dynamic pricing information (e.g., bid/ask pricing information for goods/services available in commerce) on the computer network (e.g., collected and maintained by a dynamic pricing system) by distributing to one or more users of the computer network (e.g., by e-mail) a modular computer program (e.g., a Java applet) that displays (e.g., in ticker format) dynamic pricing information collected from the computer network, and presenting to the one or more users of the modular computer program an interactive visual indication (e.g., a hyperlink or glyph) of a user-attractive resource available on the computer network (e.g., a contest, reward program, coupons, etc.). Access to the user-attractive resource can be provided to a user upon sensing that the user selected the interactive visual indication.

Abstract: An interactive linkage between a search engine and dynamic pricing content available on a computer network can be provided by organizing links to dynamic pricing information (e.g., bid/ask pricing information) on the computer network into a predetermined taxonomy, and providing to the search engine a mapping between search requests and the predetermined taxonomy. The mapping includes reference pointers to dynamic pricing content that can be returned in response to search requests at the search engine. Accordingly, in response to a search request at the search engine, a reference pointer (e.g., an interactive link, a URL, a meta-tag and/or an index into a database) to dynamic pricing information corresponding to the search request can be returned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a computerized market for used and collectible goods by allowing the electronic present of goods from one market to another in a trusted network, allowing the electronic auctioning of goods, enabling an electronic agent to search the markets for locate a good, and enabling an electronic agent to search for the owner of a hard to find good.

Abstract: A computer-implemented two-tiered electronic market system includes a data repository storing information corresponding to an inventory of one or more available items and a first-tier electronic market (e.g., a retail tier) that provides a first participant (e.g., a retail consumer) access to the inventory of one or more items in the data repository. The inventory is offered to the first participant under a first (e.g., retail) pricing scheme. The two-tiered electronic market system also includes a second-tier electronic market (e.g., a wholesale tier) that provides a second participant (e.g., a wholesale dealer), different from the first participant, access to the inventory of one or more items in the data repository. The inventory is offered to the second participant under a second (e.g., wholesale) pricing scheme different from the first pricing scheme.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a computerized market for used and collectible goods by use of a plurality of low cost posting terminals and a market maker computer in a legal framework that establishes a bailee relationship and consignment contract with a purchaser of a good at the market maker computer that allows the purchaser to change the price of the good once the purchaser has purchased the good thereby to allow the purchaser to speculate on the price of collectibles in an electronic market for used goods while assuring the safe and trusted physical possession of a good with a vetted bailee.