PATENT TROLL ALERT: attention affiliate programs
There is a company called BTG that has acquired a patent that they believe is the basis for affiliate programs.
The link to the patent is here:
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-P...&RS=PN/5712979
The cliff notes version is that if you have a link like http://www.sponsorwebsite.com/cgi/af...ram.cgi?id=123
which the receiving end uses the id number to identify you as the affiliate, and to redirect the web browser to whatever page and track the stats....
BTG is currently suing Amazon and some other companies. Barnes and Nobles already settled.
BTG could target the adult internet space, and thats the reason why assistance for prior art to help amazon squash this patent is going to help everyone in the end.
What is needed is some kind of evidence that proves that the affiliate linking codes were around prior to sept 1995.
Most likely there isn't much documentation, so there might need to be more of "expert witness"... having checks made to affiliates would certainly be some tangible proof of an affiliate linking system.
The attorneys for amazon have already chatted with CE.
I just chatted with Dave (sextoy), but he wasn't in operation early enough.
I have seen the name Robin passed around before as being the original guy who did the first affiliate program.
I am looking for contacts and evidence.
I am not seeking any consulting fees from amazon attorneys in this matter. My first thought, was let them take care of their own battles since mainstream didn't step in to help with the Acacia issue.. but then i thought about it a little more, and it's their money going to pay attorneys to defeat this patent that could eventually target the adult biz.. so that in itself is the motiviation to help amazon.
Amazon has alot of very questionable patents themselves, but they haven't come out swinging against other companies, and they are clearly up at bat on this patent infringement case.
Any info would be greatly appreciated. contact me via email (brandon - at - fightthepatent.com), or icq 52741957.
Amazon will be going to court end of January, so they are in the 11th hour. They have been searching for prior art for the last year, and never approached the adult space... which naturally should be the first place to look.
All information is held confidential and i can continue the conversation offline with those that have the silver bullets.
Fight the Patent!
The link to the patent is here:
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-P...&RS=PN/5712979
The cliff notes version is that if you have a link like http://www.sponsorwebsite.com/cgi/af...ram.cgi?id=123
which the receiving end uses the id number to identify you as the affiliate, and to redirect the web browser to whatever page and track the stats....
BTG is currently suing Amazon and some other companies. Barnes and Nobles already settled.
BTG could target the adult internet space, and thats the reason why assistance for prior art to help amazon squash this patent is going to help everyone in the end.
What is needed is some kind of evidence that proves that the affiliate linking codes were around prior to sept 1995.
Most likely there isn't much documentation, so there might need to be more of "expert witness"... having checks made to affiliates would certainly be some tangible proof of an affiliate linking system.
The attorneys for amazon have already chatted with CE.
I just chatted with Dave (sextoy), but he wasn't in operation early enough.
I have seen the name Robin passed around before as being the original guy who did the first affiliate program.
I am looking for contacts and evidence.
I am not seeking any consulting fees from amazon attorneys in this matter. My first thought, was let them take care of their own battles since mainstream didn't step in to help with the Acacia issue.. but then i thought about it a little more, and it's their money going to pay attorneys to defeat this patent that could eventually target the adult biz.. so that in itself is the motiviation to help amazon.
Amazon has alot of very questionable patents themselves, but they haven't come out swinging against other companies, and they are clearly up at bat on this patent infringement case.
Any info would be greatly appreciated. contact me via email (brandon - at - fightthepatent.com), or icq 52741957.
Amazon will be going to court end of January, so they are in the 11th hour. They have been searching for prior art for the last year, and never approached the adult space... which naturally should be the first place to look.
All information is held confidential and i can continue the conversation offline with those that have the silver bullets.
Fight the Patent!
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