Abstract: This patent discloses a system to host a multi-stage competition for an online advertisement opportunity in a network of networks. The online advertisement opportunity may be received in a second network from a first network as a result of a process where a first bid from a first software agent representing a guaranteed contract may be compared with a second bid from a second software agent representing one of a nonguaranteed contract and a guaranteed contract. A third bid for the online advertisement opportunity may be received in the second network from a third software agent representing a guaranteed contract. In addition, a fourth bid for that same online advertisement opportunity may be received in the second network from a fourth software agent representing one of a nonguaranteed contract and a guaranteed contract.

Abstract: This patent discloses a system to host a competition for an online advertisement opportunity. Notice of the online advertisement opportunity may be sent to software agents, one of which may represent a guaranteed contract. On receipt of the notice, the software agents may prepare and submit bids. An ad server may receive bids, including a first bid from a first software agent representing a guaranteed contract and a second bid from a second software agent representing a nonguaranteed contract. The ad server may screen out bids and arbitrate the remaining bids to determine a highest bidder for the online advertisement opportunity.