“In a move that could shake up e-commerce, Internet retailer
Amazon.com has patented a technology that lets other Web sites send
it customers in exchange for a commission.
“These “affiliate programs” are commonly used by many sites,
including Amazon competitors, to enhance sales. Amazon’s possession
of a patent on the technology could allow the company to prohibit
others from using it, or Amazon could charge them a fee if
they want to use it.”
“”If they choose to enforce this, it may radically impact
aspects of emerging technology for Web shopping,” Rob Labatt, an
analyst at the research firm Gartner Group, said Friday. “The
$64,000 question is whether they’ll enforce it.”
“Amazon wouldn’t say today what plans it has for the new
patent.”