Abstract: A method and apparatus for promoting the creation and distribution of creative works. The invention provides a novel cooperative auction means collecting funds for payment for inducing a rightholder to donate rights in a piece of intellectual property to the public domain.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and article of manufacture of the present invention provide an enhanced user interface for a computer system that maximizes a reader's ability to rapidly comprehend a text. The invention provides simplified, interactive means for assigning values to parameters associated with the display of text, and for displaying the electronic text in accordance with the parameter values selected. The features of the present invention allow a user to optimize reading speed and comprehension depending on the user's personal characteristics, preferences, and abilities, as well as the characteristics of the text. In addition, the present invention provides an improved user interface for performing operations on sections of a text based on an outline of the text.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for promoting the creation and distribution of creative works. The invention provides a novel cooperative auction means collecting funds for payment for inducing a rightholder to donate rights in a piece of intellectual property to the public domain.

Abstract: The invention concerns uses of an “age-event database” that contains entries describing events that occurred in the lives of individuals at a certain age. Inputting a target individual's age (or a birthdate, from which the age can be calculated), yields output consisting of information from the age-event database. Thus, the database can be used to create greetings, greeting cards, calendars, and other date-related products that inform the user or recipient of accomplishments of famous individuals, or individuals known to the user or recipient, when they were the user or recipient's age.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and article of manufacture of the present invention provide an enhanced user interface for a computer system that maximizes a reader's ability to rapidly comprehend a text. The invention provides simplified, interactive means for assigning values to parameters associated with the display of text, and for displaying the electronic text in accordance with the parameter values selected. The features of the present invention allow a user to optimize reading speed and comprehension depending on the user's personal characteristics, preferences, and abilities, as well as the characteristics of the text. In addition, the present invention provides simplified access to related sections of the text being read, as well as secondary reference sources, in a manner that minimizes interference with reading the primary text.