WO2001084422A2

WO2001084422A2 - Systems and methods for allocating and distributing ownership interest based on customer purchases

Info

Publication number: WO2001084422A2
Application number: PCT/US2001/013054
Authority: WO
Inventors: David M. Davis
Original assignee: ROCKWOOD PARTNERS
Current assignee: ROCKWOOD PARTNERS
Priority date: 2000-04-28
Filing date: 2001-04-24
Publication date: 2001-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 2002-10-28
Also published as: AU5559201A

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ALLOCATING AND DISTRIBUTING OWNERSHIP INTEREST BASED ON CUSTOMER PURCHASES

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to systems and methods for allocating and distributing ownership interest in a company that supplies goods and services, where the ownership interests are allocated and distributed to customers based on an accumulated value of goods and services that the customers purchase through the business entity.

Background of the Invention

A well-known problem with modern commerce, and especially with Internet based commerce (the so-called "e-commerce"), is a lack of customer loyalty to the companies through which the customers purchase goods and services. For example, the growing number of Web sites through which companies offer goods and services has dramatically increased competition among companies engaging in e-commerce. This has resulted in an environment of fierce competition, where the company offering the lowest price at any given time typically prevails. As customers are better able to shop around each time they seek to purchase certain goods or services, many businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to build ongoing relationships with customers. Consequently, many businesses - both small and large - are fast becoming unable to compete and to sustain themselves for the future.

In the face of such extraordinary competition, many companies have relied on increased advertising, or other such techniques designed to attract customers to their site. Internet based companies have attempted to attract new customers in a number of creative ways. For example, some companies attract new customers by supplying enticing links at a first Web site that enable a potential customer visiting the first Web site to "jump" to the company's Web site by clicking on the link or add. Other companies provide incentives for customers to refer other potential customers. These approaches may be helpful in getting customers to visit the Web site in the first place, but are of little value in getting the customers to remain loyal to the company (i.e., to return to the site to purchase again from the same company).

To remain competitive, companies need to provide an additional incentive for customers to remain loyal. It would be advantageous to such companies, if systems and methods were provided that generate a positive cycle of satisfaction, reward, and, consequently, repeat business from customers that have purchased goods or services through the company. Such a model assumes, of course, that the company provides the customer not only with goods and services at a fair price, but also provides the requisite attention to customer service after the purchase.

It is well known that customers are more likely to purchase goods or services from companies in which they possess an ownership interest. For example, shareholders are more likely to purchase goods and services from a corporation in which they own shares of stock than from the corporation's competitors. To promote customer loyalty, therefore, it would be advantageous to companies that provide such goods or services if systems and methods existed to enable customers to acquire an ownership interest in the company.

Systems and methods for acquiring an equity position in a company through the purchase of qualifying products or services have been disclosed. For example, U.S. patent 5,233,514 ("Ayyoubi") discloses systems and methods for accumulating credits toward the purchase of stock in a company based on the quantity of goods manufactured by the company that a customer has purchased.

According to Ayyoubi, when a consumer purchases a product or service from a participating manufacturer, the consumer removes a Universal Product Code ("UPC") label from the product, or from the receipt or other indicia of purchase. The consumer then sends the UPC label to a processing center, where the label is authenticated. A computer at the processing center maintains a file for each consumer, and for each participating manufacturer and its products. Each UPC label read adds a credit to the consumer's file for that manufacturer. The computer also maintains files of current stock prices for the participating manufacturers. When the consumer has accumulated enough credits to equal or exceed the current stock price for that manufacturer, the system issues a buy order to purchase one or more shares of the manufacturing company's stock.

Significantly, Ayyoubi discloses manual processes that require customers to clip UPC labels and mail them to a central processing location. Many customers are unwilling to participate in such a manual process because, in many cases, the equity interest that the customer is it is likely to receive does not justify the time and energy it would take to cut the labels and submit them to the processor. Additionally, the costs associated with maintaining the computer system and manually authenticating the labels could significantly reduce the value of equity interests that customers could obtain.

Moreover, the systems and methods of Ayyoubi are used to purchase shares in a manufacturing company, that is, the company that manufactures the product or supplies the service that the customer purchases. The processing center is a third party that merely collects UPC labels from, and purchases shares of stock for, the customer. Ayyoubi does not disclose a company allocating shares of its own stock based on purchases made by a customer of goods or services provided by the company. Ayyoubi also does not disclose purchasing stock in the company that provides the processing center, that is, the company the practices the methods that Ayyoubi discloses. In view of its reliance on the use of UPC labels, it is evident that Ayyoubi also does not contemplate that customers may purchase stock in the merchandising company, that is, the company through which the customer can purchase goods or services manufactured or supplied by others. Ayyoubi also does not contemplate how such systems could be adapted for use in a network-based system such as the Internet.

Thus, there is a need for systems and methods that enable a company to provide its customers with an option to acquire an ownership interest in the company based on the value of goods and services that the customer purchases through the company. This need is particularly acute for companies engaging in e- commerce, and thus, it would be particularly desirable for such systems and methods to be network based.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention satisfies these needs in the art by providing apparatus and methods for allocating and distributing ownership interest in the company based on customer purchases, thereby providing a strong incentive for customers to return to the company for further purchase.

A method according to the invention includes allocating to the customer a purchase rebate having a purchase rebate value based on purchases of goods or services by the customer from the company. The company can offer the goods or services for purchase via an Internet site, or in a more conventional fashion.

In accordance with the invention, the customer is provided with one or more distribution options such as an option to acquire an ownership interest in the company, to designate a charity to receive a donation, or to receive a cash distribution. The customer can elect one or more of these options. If the customer elects the option to acquire the ownership interest in the company, an ownership interest in the company is allocated and distributed to the customer.

The inventive method also includes maintaining, at a central processing server, a customer information file that includes customer profile data corresponding to the customer. The central processing server also receives, from a point of sale, purchase data including a purchase value of a purchase made by the customer of goods or services from the company. The customer is provided with an option to acquire an ownership interest in the company based on a purchase rebate that is calculated based on the purchase value.

In an Internet application, the company provides a Web site that the customer can access to purchase goods or services from the company. In such an application, where the central processing server is a Web server, the server receives the purchase data from the point of sale via the Internet. The purchase data can be sent from the point of sale via a network access device such as a personal computer or an Internet appliance. The server can also receive customer profile data from the point of sale, and store the customer profile data in the customer information file.

The server maintains in the customer information file, an accumulated purchase value based on the purchase value, and calculates the purchase rebate value based on the accumulated purchase value.

Similarly, the server receives from the customer an election indicating which of the distribution options the customer elects, and updates the customer information file to reflect the customer's election.

Periodically, a distribution is made to the customer based on the purchase credit rebate value allocated to the customer. The server determines from the customer information file whether the customer has elected to acquire an ownership interest in the company and, if so, the customer is notified that the customer has acquired the ownership interest. The customer's acquired ownership interest can also be reported to a government agency, such as the IRS or SEC, if necessary.

Apparatus according to the invention includes a central processor and a system database coupled to the central processor. The central processor receives purchase data from a point of sale including a purchase value of a purchase made by the customer of goods or services from the company, calculates a purchase rebate having a purchase rebate value based on the purchase value, and provides the customer with an option to acquire an ownership interest in the company based on the purchase rebate value. The system database stores customer profile data corresponding to the customer, transaction data representative of transactions made by the customer with the company, redemption data indicating which of a plurality of redemption options the customer has elected, credit allocation data reflecting purchase credits that have been allocated to the customer, and distribution data reflecting distributions made to the customer based on the purchase credits.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment that is presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific apparatus and methods disclosed.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a flowchart of a customer registration and maintenance method.

Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for allocating purchase credits to a customer based on customer purchases.

Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method for distributing purchase rebates based on allocated purchase credits.

Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method for reporting and auditing allocations and distributions of ownership in a company based on customer purchases.

Figures 7A-7E depict exemplary information tables.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The present invention provides systems and methods for allocating and distributing purchase credits accumulated for purchasing goods or services from a company. The inventive methods enable the customer to receive the value of the credits in an ownership interest in the company, an equivalent charitable deduction, or a cash rebate. The present invention is adapted for implementation, at least in part, on a standalone computer system, or on a network-based system such as on the Internet.

According to the inventive methods, when a customer purchases goods or services from a participating merchant, the customer receives information evidencing the value of the purchase, and the number of credits they are due based on a formulation of sales price, margin, and the merchant's discretion. Because different products may have various levels of cost and profit associated with them, the discretion is afforded the merchant to designate the credit values by any means the merchant sees fit. This will usually be done either on a product-by-product basis, or can be done as a specific percentage of the total price. Whatever the formula, the credits granted by the merchant are of value to the customer as either a direct or indirect reflection of the price actually paid for the goods or services. Thus, the purchase credits have a value based on the purchase value of the goods or services that the customer has purchased.

On a scheduled interval basis, a process is initiated to tally all accumulated credits for each customer, and to redeem the credits in one of the available forms. It is anticipated that this processing will occur about once a quarter, although it can be scheduled at any interval that the merchant desires. In the event that the customer has elected to redeem the purchase credits for an equity interest in the company (e.g., stock), the customer will receive documents evidencing share price conversion, and the number of shares purchased by their redeemed credits. If charitable deductions are selected, the customer will receive a statement that evidences the distribution of their credits to certified and authorized organizations that are eligible to receive the proceeds. In the absence of an equity or charity designation, the customer will receive a check from the merchant in an amount equal to the credits accrued for the period. In all cases, the customer's account balance is reduced accordingly, and thorough and reliable audit records are created and maintained.

As shown in Figure 1 , a system 100 according to the present invention includes a central processing server 102 that includes a system processor 104, and a system database 106. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, central processing server 102 is a Web server maintained by the company that supplies goods or services via a Web site. Server 102 can also be a server on any network, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or an Intranet. Server 102 can also be a standalone computer located, for example, at a small retail store taking advantage of the methods of the present invention.

System processor 104 interfaces with system database 106 to read data from and write data to system database 106. System database 106 can be a single database or, preferably, can include a plurality of databases, such as a customer information database 106A, a redemption information database 106B, a transaction information database 106C, and a credit allocations and distributions tracking information database 106D. The purpose for each of these databases, as well as the types of data that can be stored therein, will be described in detail below.

System processor 104 can also interface with any of a number of external processes. For example, system processor 104 can receive and process customer orders 108 from a point of sale 103. Point of sale 103 can be a remote sales point (i.e., the sales point can be at a physically different location from server 102), or a local sales point (i.e., the sale can take place at the same location at which server 102 is located).

A remote sales point can be where a customer shops via the Internet (e.g., the customer's home or office). The company maintains a central processing server 102 at a first location, and provides a Web site via which a customer can purchase goods or services through the company. The customer accesses the Web site via a personal computer or an Internet appliance (such as a wireless phone, personal digital assistant, digital set-top box, etc.) located at the remote sales point (e.g., the customer's home or office). The remote sales point could also be a retail store where the company maintains a central processing server at a first location and deploys a sales terminal at each of a plurality of remote locations where the customer would actually make the transaction.

A local sales point can exist, for example, where a merchant owns a single store and has a standalone computer system that includes the central processor and a keyboard and terminal or other human/machine interface through which the merchant conducts sales transactions.

System processor 104 can also be used to perform credit card processing 1 10 for customers paying by credit card.

System processor 104 also receives external customer data 112 and external transaction data 114 from point of sale 103. External customer data 112 can include data about a particular customer such as, for example, the customer's name, address, telephone number, preferred customer ID number, or any other such data that enables the company to create and maintain a meaningful customer profile about the customer. External transaction data 114 can include data about a particular transaction such as, for example, identification of goods or services purchased, the date of the transaction, the value of the purchase, the method of payment, or any other such data that enables the company to track customer purchases to allocate purchase credits to the customer based on the value of goods and services that the customer has purchased from the company. As will be described in greater detail below, external customer data 112 can be stored in customer information database

106A, and external transaction data 114 can be stored in transaction information database 106C.

Processor 104 can be programmed to output reports or other documents to provide permanent records for the customer, the company, or any third party, such as a governmental or regulatory entity. For example, processor 104 can be programmed to generate customer/transaction reports 116 to provide the customer with a confirmation recording certain customer or transaction data. Processor 104 can also provide regulatory or tax reports or other documents 118 to governmental or regulatory entities that require such information concerning the customer's acquisition of ownership interest in the company or charitable donations. These "documents" can be hard copy documents printed via a local or remote printer that interfaces with processor 104, or they can be electronic documents that are provided via email, for example, or made available to the appropriate parties via secure access to the company's Web site.

Methods for allocating and distributing ownership interest in a company based on the value of goods or services purchased through the company will now be described. Such methods can be implemented in a system 100 such as described above in connection with Figure 1.

Figure 2 provides a flowchart of a method 200 according to the present invention for allocating and distributing to a customer an ownership interest in a company based on the value of purchases that the customer has made from the company. Method 200 can be implemented in any computer system, standalone or network based, although method 200 is preferably implemented in a Web server for an Internet based system. Thus, for simplicity, the inventive methods will be /84422

10 described in connection with an Internet based system comprising a central processing server that is a Web server through which the company provides a Web site that the customer can access to purchase goods and services from the company.

In a preferred embodiment of the inventive method 200, a customer registers with the company at step 202 by accessing the company's Web site from a remote sales point. Preferably, the Web site provides an option for the customer to register by entering certain requested data. The server then creates (or maintains) a customer profile for the customer based on data that the customer has entered. A customer registration and maintenance method is described in greater detail below in connection with Figure 3.

At step 204, the customer uses the Web site to purchase goods and/or services from the company. The server tracks the customer's purchases and maintains a transaction file for the customer that includes purchase information about all purchases that the customer has made from the company. At this step, purchase credits can be allocated to the customer based on the accumulated value of goods or services that the customer has purchased through the company. A method for allocating purchase credits to a customer based on customer purchases is described in greater detail below in connection with Figure 4.

At step 206, the customer's accumulated purchase credits are redeemed automatically. Preferably, the server schedules this redemption process periodically (e.g., quarterly). According to the inventive method, the customer can elect to redeem purchase credits in the form of an ownership interest in the company. For example, the customer can elect to redeem purchase credits to purchase shares of stock or other such ownership interest in the company in proportion to the value of the purchase credits. The customer can also elect to redeem purchase credits by designating a charitable interest to receive a donation. The amount of the donation would be based on the value of the purchase credits. Similarly, the customer can elect to receive a cash rebate having a value based on the value of the accumulated purchase credits. A method for distributing purchase rebates based on allocated purchase credits is described in greater detail below in connection with Figure 5.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the company permits the customer to acquire an ownership interest in a number of forms. For example, the customer can acquire an ownership interest in the company by redeeming accumulated purchase credits for shares of stock. The number of shares that the customer receives is based on the accumulated value of the purchase credits. The company can also offer ownership interest in the form of stock options, convertible bonds, ordinary bonds, or any other form in which the customer acquires an ownership interest in the company, and thereby, acquires an interest in remaining loyal to the company through repeat purchases.

If the customer elects to redeem the purchase rebate as an ownership interest in the company, certain regulatory processing may be required. For example, if the company's stock is traded publicly, then the customer's stock purchase could be reportable to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), or other governmental and regulatory entity. At step 208, any required regulatory/tax reporting and auditing functions are performed. A method for reporting and auditing allocations and distributions of ownership in a company based on customer purchases is described in greater detail below in connection with Figure 6.

Each of the steps of the inventive method will now be described in greater detail.

Figure 3 is a flowchart of a customer registration and maintenance method of step 202. At step 210, a customer accesses a Web site or other shopping location provided by a company that offers the option to acquire an ownership interest in the company based on purchases of goods and services made by the customer through the company. The customer registers with the company by providing certain requested information that enables the company to create (or maintain) a customer profile.

At step 212, a customer information profile is created (or updated) to include information about the customer that the customer entered at step 210. Customer profile data is stored in a customer information file in customer information database 106A. Figure 7A depicts an exemplary customer information file that can be included in customer information database 106A.

At step 214, redemption option information is created and maintained in a redemption option information file stored in redemption information database 106B, and provided to the customer via the Web site. The redemption option information file typically includes data necessary to provide the user with options to redeem purchase credits as ownership interest, a charitable donation, or a cash rebate. Figure 7B depicts an exemplary redemption option information file that can be included in redemption information database 106B.

The customer can then elect whether to redeem accumulated purchase credits as ownership interest in the company, to make a charitable donation having a value based on the value of the purchase credits, or to receive the purchase credits as a cash rebate. A customer redemption profile is created (or updated) to include redemption information corresponding to the customer, including the election data that the customer entered to indicate which form of redemption the customer has elected. The redemption data is stored in a customer redemption information file in customer redemption information database 106B. Figure 7C depicts an exemplary customer redemption information file that can be included in redemption information database 106B.

At step 216, a copy of the customer's newly created or updated customer profile, or changes made thereto, can be provided to the customer for the customer's permanent records. The copy can be a hard copy report that is printed and handed or mailed to the customer, or it can be a soft copy that is communicated to the customer via electronic mail, or made available via the company's Web site, etc.

After the customer has registered with the company, the central processing server tracks the customer's purchases and allocates purchase credits to the customer based on the accumulated value of the customer's purchases. Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method of step 204 for allocating purchase credits to a customer based on customer purchases. At step 218, the customer accesses the company's Web site or other shopping location to purchase goods or services from the company.

At step 220, the customer is provided with access to the Web pages that display the goods or services that the company provides. The customer is permitted to browse these Web pages, and to shop for goods or services. Information about the goods or services that the company provides can be stored in an external product information database 113. Database 113 can include such data as the product's name, ID, sizes, styles, price, etc.

At step 222, the customer is identified by secure authorization. Preferably, the customer is required to enter a logon ID and a password. The customer information file in customer information database 106A is scanned to determine whether the entered logon ID and password correspond to a registered customer. If the entered logon ID and password correspond to a registered customer then the customer and transaction information files are updated to reflect information about the transaction. Figure 7D depicts an exemplary transaction information file that can be included in transaction information database 106C. If the customer is not registered with the company, the customer is given an option to register as described above, and then the purchases are totaled and the appropriate files are updated to reflect the transaction.

At step 224, customer purchase rebate credits are calculated based on the value of the goods and services purchased. The customer is presented with the calculation results for verification, and provided with an opportunity to confirm that the purchase rebate is calculated correctly for the goods or services purchased.

The customer can be an individual, or a member of a group, such as a corporation. Accordingly, a group ID corresponding to the customer is also stored in the customer information file. For example, the customer can access the company's Web site to make a purchase as an individual. In that case, the purchase credits accrue in his or her individual account. On the other hand, the customer can make a purchase on behalf of an employer, a civic organization, or any other group to which the individual belongs. In the case of an employer, the customer could enter a group ID number corresponding to the employer, and the employer would receive the allocation of purchase credits, rather than the individual. In another scenario, the customer could be purchasing from the company as a fundraiser for the civic organization or other group. In this case, the customer would enter the group ID corresponding to the civic organization or other group, and the civic organization or other group would accumulate the purchase credits, rather than the individual.

At step 226, a copy of the transaction information can be provided to the customer for the customer's permanent records. The copy can be a hard copy report that is printed and handed or mailed to the customer, or it can be a soft copy that is communicated to the customer via electronic mail, or made available via the company's Web site, etc.

The company continues to track customer purchases and to allocate purchase rebate credits to the customer based on the accumulated value of purchases made through the company. Periodically, the company distributes the purchase rebates based on the redemption election data that the customers have provided. Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method of step 206 for distributing purchase rebates based on allocated purchase credits. Preferably, the purchase credits are distributed in the form of ownership in the company, charitable donations, and/or cash rebates.

Credit redemption processing is scheduled to occur periodically at step 228. In a preferred embodiment, distributions are made quarterly, although, as discussed above, distributions can be made or scheduled at any time that suits the needs of the company and its "CUSTOWNERS" (i.e., its customer-owners).

At step 230, the central processing server conducts a search of the customer and transaction information files to determine which customers, if any, are entitled to a distribution during the current distribution period. Under certain circumstances, a threshold number of customer purchase rebate credits can be required to accumulate before a customer is entitled to a distribution. For example, if a customer has elected to redeem the customer's purchase rebate in the form of stock, but has accumulated only a relatively small number of purchase rebate credits, it might not be cost-effective for the company to distribute so small an ownership interest. In such circumstances, the rebate value will continue to accumulate into the next distribution period.

At step 232, the credit allocations and distributions tracking file is updated to reflect the distribution. Figure 7E depicts an exemplary credit allocations and distributions tracking file that can be included in credit allocations and distributions tracking database 106D.

Redemption documents are distributed at step 234. Notifications can be mailed to the customers that elected to redeem some or all of their purchase credits as an ownership interest in the company. These notifications can be mailed either electronically or via regular mail. For those customers that elected to redeem some or all of their purchase credits as charitable donations, the company can send payments to the designated charitable organizations, and send notifications of the payments to the customers that requested them. Also, the company can send cash rebates directly to those customers that have elected to redeem some or all of their purchase credits as a cash rebate. This can be accomplished either by mailing a check, or by electronically transferring the money into an account that the customer has designated for that purpose. On the other hand, the company may offer stock options for the purchase of stock at specified times and rates, to facilitate the redemption of purchase credits by many customers at about the same time in an efficient manner.

As discussed above, under certain circumstances the company will be required to report the distribution to a governmental or regulatory entity, such as the SEC or IRS. Preferably, the company also routinely performs regular audits of these allocations and distributions. Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method of step 208 for reporting and auditing allocations and distributions of ownership in a company based on customer purchases.

At step 236, the regulatory and auditing functions are scheduled. As with distributions, it is preferred that these functions are scheduled periodically, e.g., once per quarter.

At step 238, the scheduled regulatory processing is performed. The required regulatory reports are generated and dispatched to the appropriate governmental or regulatory entities. For example, the company may be required to notify the SEC of all distributions of ownership interest during the last reporting period, and to identify to whom the distributions were made. Similarly, the company may be required to notify the IRS of all distributions, whether the distribution is in the form of ownership interest, charitable contributions, or cash rebates.

At step 240, customer reporting information 123 is distributed to each customer that received a distribution during the reporting period. The customer reporting information provides notification to the customer that the distribution has been reported, and identifies the agencies to which a report has been made. Similarly, the company distributes company reporting information 125 to itself (to keep track of the customers' ownership interests), as well as to any organizations that have received charitable donations.

At step 242 audit and archive processing is performed. Preferably, the company performs an internal audit periodically to ensure that purchase credits are being allocated and distributed properly, and to ensure that all required reports are being made. The audit information 127 is then archived, that is, stored in a database for later retrieval, if necessary.

Thus there have been described systems and methods for allocating and distributing ownership interest in a company based on customer purchases. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention and that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A method of allocating and distributing ownership interest in a company to a customer of the company based on purchases by the customer of goods or services provided by the company, comprising the steps of: allocating to the customer a purchase rebate having a purchase rebate value based on purchases of goods or services by the customer from the company; and providing the customer with an option to acquire an ownership interest in the company based on the purchase rebate value.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: receiving from the customer an election indicating whether the customer elects the option to acquire the ownership interest in the company; and if the customer elects the option to acquire the ownership interest in the company, allocating and distributing the ownership interest to the customer.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: providing the customer with an option to designate a charity to receive a donation having a value based on the value of the purchase rebate.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: providing the customer with an option to receive a cash distribution having a value based on the value of the purchase rebate.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of: providing the customer with an option to receive a cash distribution having a value based on the value of the purchase rebate.

The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: offering the goods or services for purchase via an Internet site.

7. A method of allocating and distributing ownership interest in a company to a customer of the company based on purchases by the customer of goods or services provided by the company, the method comprising the steps of: maintaining, at a central processing server, a customer information file that includes customer profile data corresponding to the customer; receiving at the central processing server from a point of sale, purchase data including a purchase value of a purchase made by the customer of goods or services from the company; calculating a purchase rebate having a purchase rebate value based on the purchase value; and providing the customer with an option to acquire an ownership interest in the company based on the purchase rebate value.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the central processing server is a Web server, the method further comprising the step of: receiving the purchase data at the Web server from the point of sale via the Internet.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of: providing a Web site through the Web server that the customer can access to purchase goods or services from the company.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of: receiving the purchase data from a network access device at the point of sale.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of: receiving the purchase data from a personal computer.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of: receiving the purchase data from an Internet appliance.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: receiving the customer profile data from the point of sale; and storing the customer profile data in the customer information file.

14. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of: maintaining in the customer information file, an accumulated purchase value based on the purchase value, wherein the purchase rebate value is calculated based on the accumulated purchase value.

15. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of: identifying the customer by secured authorization.

16. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: receiving from the customer an election indicating whether the customer elects the option to acquire the ownership interest in the company; and updating said customer information file to reflect the customer's election.

17. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: providing the customer with an option to designate a charitable donation having a donation value based on the purchase rebate value; providing the customer with an option to receive cash based on the purchase rebate value; receiving from the customer an election indicating whether the customer elects the option to acquire the ownership interest in the company, to designate the charitable donation, or to receive the cash; and updating the customer information file to reflect the customer's election.

18. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: determining from the customer information file whether the customer has elected to acquire said ownership interest; and if the customer has elected to acquire said ownership interest, then notifying the customer that the customer has acquired said ownership interest.

19. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of: reporting the customer's acquired ownership interest to a government agency.

20. A method of allocating and distributing ownership interest in a company to a customer of the company based on purchases by the customer of goods or services provided by the company, the method comprising: registering the customer with the company; monitoring purchases of goods or services made by the customer from the company; allocating credits to the customer based on the value of the goods or services that the customer has purchased; and providing the customer with an option to convert the allocated credits into an ownership interest in the company.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of: determining whether the customer has elected to convert the allocated credits into an ownership interest in the company; and if the customer has elected to convert the allocated credits into an ownership interest in the company, reporting the customer's ownership interest in the company to a governmental or regulatory entity.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of registering the customer with the company comprises the steps of: receiving from a customer that has accessed a shopping location provided by the company, customer profile data corresponding to the customer; and maintaining the customer profile data in a customer information file.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of: receiving redemption data indicating whether the customer has elected the option to convert the allocated credits into an ownership interest in the company; and maintaining the redemption data in a redemption information file.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the steps of: providing the customer with maintenance information reflecting data included in the customer information file or the redemption information file.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of monitoring customer purchases comprises the steps of: identifying, by secured authorization, a customer that has accessed a shopping location provided by the company; maintaining an accumulated value of purchases made by the customer at the shopping location; and calculating customer credits based on the accumulated value.

26. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of: providing the customer with a transaction summary that includes information concerning a transaction made by the customer at the shopping location; and soliciting from the customer, confirmation of the accuracy of the transaction summary.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of allocating credits comprises the step of: determining credit allocations by processing data included in customer information and transaction information files corresponding to the customer and transactions made by the customer with the company.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of: determining credit allocations periodically on a scheduled basis.

29. A method of allocating and distributing ownership interest in a company to a customer of the company based on purchases by the customer of goods or services provided by the company, the method comprising the steps of: providing a network site via which the customer can purchase goods or services from the company; maintaining a customer information file that includes customer profile data corresponding to the customer; monitoring purchases made by the customer from the company, said purchases having a purchase value; maintaining in the customer information file, an accumulated purchase value based on the purchase value; and providing the customer with an option to acquire an ownership interest in the company based on the accumulated purchase value.

30. A method of allocating and distributing ownership interest in a company to a customer of the company based on purchases by the customer of goods or services provided by the company, the method comprising the steps of: providing an Internet site via which the customer can purchase goods or services from the company; maintaining an accumulated value of purchases made by the customer via the Internet site of goods or services from the company; and providing the customer with an option to acquire an ownership interest in the company based on the accumulated purchase value.

31. Apparatus for allocating and distributing ownership interest in a company to a customer of the company based on purchases by the customer of goods or services provided by the company, the apparatus comprising: a central processor that receives from a point of sale purchase data including a purchase value of a purchase made by the customer of goods or services from the company, calculates a purchase rebate having a purchase rebate value based on the purchase value, and provides the customer with an option to acquire an ownership interest in the company based on the purchase rebate value; and a system database coupled to the central processor for storing customer profile data corresponding to the customer, transaction data representative of transactions made by the customer with the company, redemption data indicating which of a plurality of redemption options the customer has elected, credit allocation data reflecting purchase credits that have been allocated to the customer, and distribution data reflecting distributions made to the customer based on the purchase credits.

32. Apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the central processor is adapted to receive at least one of the customer profile data and the transaction data from the point of sale.

33. Apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the central processor is a Web server that provides an Internet site via which the customer can purchase goods or services from the company.