[Ecommerce] AP: Amazon patents affiliate programs technology

[James Love]

http://technews.netscape.com/news/0-1007-200-1558650.html?tag=st.ne.1002.thed.1007-200-1558650


Amazon patents affiliate programs technology 
    By The Associated Press
    Special to CNET News.com
    February 25, 2000, 5:00 p.m. PT 

    SEATTLE--In a move that could shake up e-commerce, Internet retailer
Amazon.com has patented a technology that lets other Web sites send it
customers in exchange for a commission. 

    These "affiliate programs" are commonly used by many sites,
including Amazon competitors, to enhance sales. Amazon's possession of a
patent on the technology could allow the company to prohibit others from
using it, or Amazon could charge them a fee if they want to use it. 

    "If they choose to enforce this, it may radically impact aspects of
emerging technology for Web shopping," Rob Labatt, an analyst at the
research firm Gartner Group, said Friday. "The $64,000 question is
whether they'll enforce it." 

    Amazon wouldn't say today what plans it has for the new patent. 

  [snip]

-- 
James Love, Consumer Project on Technology
v. 1.202.387.8030, fax 1.202.234.5176
love@cptech.org, http://www.cptech.org