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Expedia Books its First Patent

Posted by timothy on from the trust-fund-baby dept.

theodp writes "Courtesy of a Microsoft patent reassignment, MS spin-off Expedia was awarded its first patent Tuesday for Matching an offer with a quote, which essentially consists of pairing a customer with the supplier quoting the lowest rate. Prior to this invention, Microsoft explained, 'An effective electronic exchange system for satisfying an offer by a purchaser with a quote from a supplier has eluded those skilled in the art.'"

2 of 27 comments (clear)

  1. Hasn't this one already been done? by Dr.Dubious+DDQ · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Isn't this the same dubious patent concept that Priceline.com was using to sue people as part of their business model?

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  2. Left one part out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The "system" allows merchants to provide several low quotes. For example, a hotel could offer every rate between $100 and $1,000 per night in $5 increments. If you're dumb and specify $150 to $200 per night as a range, and $190 is the second lowest bid, then the hotel will charge you $185, instead of the $150, which was your lowest starting point, despite there being a definitely lower price ($100) that the hotel was willing to accept.

    It's all about getting as many Benjamins out of my pocket as they can.