Electronic Trading System and Method for Marketing Products and Services

Abstract

A consumer is provided with a first asset in return for a promise to earn an agreed to number of points over an agreed to redemption period. The consumer subsequently earns the points by purchasing one or more second assets. At least one of the second assets is different than the first asset. Each purchase has an associated with point value, at least one of the point values being different than at least one other point value. A trading system includes a first set of websites where a consumer can select and obtain a first asset in return for a promise to earn points by making future purchases of one or more second assets. The consumer can fulfill its obligation to earn the stated number of points by purchasing one or more second assets at a second set of websites. Each of the second assets has an associated point value.

1 - 116 . (canceled) 
     
     
         117 . A computer-implemented process for marketing products and/or services, said process comprising:
 storing information into an electronic database via one or more communication interfaces to assist in providing products and/or services, said information corresponding to:   i. providing a consumer with a one or more first assets from a first set of one or more suppliers in return for an agreement comprising a promise to make one or more future transactions regarding one or more second assets with a second set of one or more suppliers, said first set of suppliers and said second set of suppliers having at least one supplier not in common, and   ii. a fulfillment period associated with said agreement;   establishing an account associated with said consumer related to said agreement;   determining, via a processor, whether the consumer has satisfied the promise within the fulfillment period; and   determining any next steps required if the obligation has not been fulfilled.   
     
     
         118 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said one or more future transactions comprises a purchase of one or more second assets, said second assets comprising assets in a different category of assets than said assets of said first assets. 
     
     
         119 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said first assets consists of a single asset. 
     
     
         120 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said first set of suppliers consists of a single supplier. 
     
     
         121 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said first set of suppliers consists of a single first supplier and said second set of suppliers consists of a single second supplier different from said single first supplier. 
     
     
         122 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein:
 said future transaction comprises a purchase of one or more second assets, wherein at least one second asset is purchased from a supplier that is part of said first set of suppliers; and   at least one other of said second assets is purchased from a supplier that is not part of said first set of suppliers.   
     
     
         123 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein at least one supplier of said first set of suppliers assets is a supplier of software. 
     
     
         124 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein each asset of said one or more first assets is a product and the future transaction comprises a sale of a service. 
     
     
         125 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein each asset of said one or more first assets is a product and the one or more future transactions comprises a sale of both a product and a service. 
     
     
         126 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein each asset of said one or more first assets is a service and the future transaction comprises a purchase of a product. 
     
     
         127 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein each asset of said first assets is a first service and the one or more future transactions comprises a sale of a second service which is different in kind than said first service. 
     
     
         128 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said consumer obtains at least one of said first assets by selecting it from a plurality of offered assets 
     
     
         129 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said consumer selects at least one asset of said first assets from a plurality of different offered assets, at least two of said offered assets being offered by different suppliers. 
     
     
         130 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein at least some of said offered assets are offered at a website over a global communication network. 
     
     
         131 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein the user may enter into said one or more future transaction over a global communication network. 
     
     
         132 . The process according to  claim 117 , wherein said one or more future transactions are listed on a website. 
     
     
         133 . A computer-implemented process for marketing products and/or services, said process comprising:
 storing information into an electronic database via one or more communication interfaces to assist in providing products and/or services, said information corresponding to:   i. providing a consumer with a first set of one or more assets from a first set of one or more suppliers in return for an obligation comprising a promise to make one or more future transactions associated with one or more second assets from a second set of one or more suppliers, said first set of assets and said second assets being different in category and type, and   ii. a fulfillment period associated with said agreement;   establishing an account associated with said consumer related to said agreement;   determining, via a processor, whether the consumer has satisfied the promise within the fulfillment period; and   determining any next steps required if the obligation has not been fulfilled.   
     
     
         134 . The process according to  claim 133 , wherein said one or more future transactions comprises a purchase of said one or more second assets. 
     
     
         135 . The process according to  claim 133 , wherein said one or more future transactions comprises a sale of said one or more second assets. 
     
     
         136 . The process according to  claim 133 , wherein the first set of one or more suppliers and the second one or more suppliers are the same. 
     
     
         137 . The process according to  claim 133 , wherein the first set of one or more suppliers consists of a single supplier and the second one or more suppliers is a single supplier, the first supplier and the second supplier being the same. 
     
     
         138 . The process according to  claim 133 , wherein at least one supplier of said first set of suppliers assets is a supplier of software. 
     
     
         139 . The process according to  claim 133 , wherein each asset of said first set of assets is a product and the future transaction comprises a purchase of a service. 
     
     
         140 . The process according to  claim 133 , wherein each asset of said first set of assets is a product and the one or more future transactions comprises a sale of both a product and a service. 
     
     
         141 . The process according to  claim 133 , wherein each asset of said first set of assets is a service and the one or more future transactions comprises a purchase of a product. 
     
     
         142 . The process according to  claim 133 , wherein the first set of assets provided to the consumer is an up-front payment or deposit. 
     
     
         143 . The process according to  claim 133 , wherein the first set of assets is provided to the consumer at a discount. 
     
     
         144 . The process according to  claim 133 , wherein the first set of assets is 
     
     
         145 . The process according to  claim 133 , wherein said first set of assets are requested at a website. 
     
     
         146 . The process according to  claim 133 , wherein the one or more future transactions are made using a website. 
     
     
         147 . A computer-implemented process for marketing products and/or services, said process comprising:
 storing information into an electronic database via one or more communication interfaces to assist in providing products and/or services, said information corresponding to:   i. providing a consumer with a first asset from a selectable set of first assets in return for an obligation comprising a promise to make future purchases associated with a selectable set of second assets, said first set of assets and said second assets being different in category and type, and   ii. a term for said agreement;   establishing an account associated with said consumer related to said agreement;   determining, via a processor, whether the consumer has satisfied the promise within the fulfillment period; and   determining any next steps required if the obligation has not been fulfilled.   
     
     
         148 . The process according to  claim 147 , wherein the first asset is a product and the second assets are services. 
     
     
         149 . The process according to  claim 147 , wherein the first asset is provided without charge. 
     
     
         150 . The process according to  claim 147 , wherein the first asset is provided at a discount. 
     
     
         151 . The process according to  claim 147 , wherein the consumer is charged a penalty or fee if the obligation is not fulfilled. 
     
     
         152 . The process according to  claim 147 , wherein the future purchases comprises payment for services associated with the first asset over a period of time.