Netflix gets patent on online movie rentals
 

U.S. Patent 6,584,450
Method and apparatus for renting items
Filed: April 28, 2000

What is claimed is:

1. A method for renting items to customers,
the method comprising the computer-implemented
steps of:

receiving one or more item selection criteria
that indicates one or more items that a customer
desires to rent;

providing to the customer up to a specified
number of the one or more items indicated by the
one or more item selection criteria; and

in response to receiving any of the items
provided to the customer, providing to the
customer one or more other items indicated by
the one or more item selection criteria, wherein
a total current number of items provided to the
customer does not exceed the specified number.

Hmmm, not good news for FM.

That's amazing they got their patent cleared so fast.

Can Netflix Patent Stymie Rivals?

Netflix says it has received a patent that covers its online subscription-based DVD rental service and could be the basis for action against rivals in the growing market.

http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,59388,00.html