Abstract: The distribution of media clips stored on one or more servers is controlled using updateable permissions or rules defined by a content owner. The clip is made available from a server via a website, app or other source, for an end-user to view; the permissions or rules stored in memory are then updated; the permissions or rules are reviewed before the clip is subsequently made available, to ensure that any streaming or other distribution of the clip is in compliance with any updated permissions or rules.

Abstract: A universal or special-purpose auction system and method are disclosed wherein at least one auction allocation policy is implemented which results in adjusting a bid submitted by a trader or a clearing calculation is modified to incorporate a constraint.

Abstract: An entity registers as an affiliate of an e-commerce site and then publishes information that promotes that WWW e-commerce site; an end-user with a mobile wireless device, sees that information and as a consequence sends a request to a remote server that can interact with the e-commerce site under control inputs from an application running on the device. The request includes data that uniquely defines the affiliate. This approach makes is easy to become an affiliate able to drive traffic from a mobile wireless device to a WWW e-commerce site; this is based on the re-use of existing affiliate management systems (previously not thought relevant to the m-commerce environment). Further, the mechanism for creating traffic for a WWW e-commerce site is easy; it just involves an affiliate publishing certain information.

Abstract: Conducting an auction is disclosed. Instructions specifying a market phase for an auction are received. An auction allocation policy is defined based at least in part on the instructions. A first bid is received during the market phase of the auction. The first bid price is automatically adjusted based on the auction allocation policy. A plurality of successful bids is selected after the predetermined termination time.

Abstract: Managing a concurrent bilateral negotiation is disclosed. A first active negotiation between a first party and a second party is facilitated. A second active negotiation between the first party and a third party is facilitated. An indication of an acceptable negotiation associated with the first active negotiation is received. A message is sent to the third party to submit a final multi-attribute offer.

Abstract: A system which enables a mobile telephone to be used to locate goods or services, comprising the following elements: (a) a communications network to allow a mobile telephone operator to receive, from the mobile telephone, criteria defining the goods or services required; (b) a searching system connected to receive the criteria and perform automated searches against those criteria using resources provided by suppliers of the goods or services and to send results over the communications network to the mobile telephone; (c) an electronic commerce and billing engine operating to allow the user of the mobile telephone to order goods or services from the operator and not the supplier.

Abstract: A wireless information devices can access betting related services by: (a) receiving and displaying the best odds on an event as automatically selected from odds offered by two or more bookmakers; (b) displaying an option to initiate placing a bet at the best odds; and (c) sending instructions to place the bet. This approach integrates an automated search function, that can identify the best available odds, with a mechanism to actually place a bet at the best odds. The automated search function avoids the need to display a long list of bookmakers names and related odds. This is the first step in simplifying the user interaction needed to place a bet. The second step is to integrate the display of the best odds with an option to initiate placing a bet. The option, if selected, sends instructions to place the bet.

Abstract: A system which enables a mobile telephone to be used to locate goods or services, comprising the following elements: (a) a communications network to allow a mobile telephone operator to receive, from the mobile telephone, criteria defining the goods or services required; (b) a searching system connected to receive the criteria and perform automated searches against those criteria using resources provided by suppliers of the goods or services and to send results over the communications network to the mobile telephone; (c) an electronic commerce and billing engine operating to allow the user of the mobile telephone to order goods or services from the operator and not the supplier.