DETERMINED RIGHTS AND FORWARD OBLIGATIONS FOR FUTURE ITEMS
The present invention relates to predicting, measuring, and/or guaranteeing demand for a contingent or hypothetical future item and, based upon that demand, determining whether or not to actually produce the future item. In particular, the present invention measures such demand via contingent event certificates and associated marketplaces.
1 - 185 . (canceled)
186 . A method comprising:
offering a forward right for a future item, the forward right including a right to require a provider provide the item;
obligating holders of the forward right to purchase the future item upon its availability; and
based on the accumulation of a threshold extent of forward rights, obligating providers to provide the future item.
187 . The method of claim 186 , further comprising producing at least an obligated amount of a future item based on the response to the offer.
188 . The method of claim 186 , wherein the future item is a consumer product.
189 . The method of claim 186 , wherein the future item is a service offering.
190 . The method of claim 186 , wherein the future item is user-generated content.
191 . The method of claim 186 , wherein billing for the future item is automatic upon the future item's availability.
192 . The method of claim 186 , wherein the forward right is obtained at no cost.
193 . The method of claim 186 , wherein the forward right is earned.
194 . The method of claim 186 , wherein the forward right is purchased.
195 . The method of claim 186 , wherein the offer is presented to a social network.
196 . A system comprising:
an offer of a forward right for a future item, the forward right including a right to require a provider provide the item;
an obligation of forward rights holders to purchase the future item upon its availability; and
an obligation of providers to provide the future item based on the accumulation of a threshold extent of forward rights.
197 . The system of claim 196 , further comprising a production of at least an obligated amount of a future item based on the response to the offer.
198 . The system of claim 196 , wherein the future item is a consumer product.
199 . The system of claim 196 , wherein the future item is a service offering.
200 . The system of claim 196 , wherein the future item is user-generated content.
201 . The system of claim 196 , wherein billing for the future item is automatic upon the future item's availability.
202 . The system of claim 196 , wherein the forward right is obtained at no cost.
203 . The system of claim 196 , wherein the forward right is earned.
204 . The system of claim 196 , wherein the forward right is purchased.
205 . The system of claim 196 , wherein the offer is presented on a social network interface.