Advertising system for the internet and local area networks

Abstract

The present invention is an information service and advertising providing system for presenting interactive information services together with interactive advertising on a communications network such as the Internet and LANs. The information service may be a game played interactively on the network while advertising is communicated between users and an advertising network node. However, other interactive services, such as are available on the Internet, are also accessible for concurrent use with advertising presentations. Advertising or promotionals may be selectively presented to users by comparing archived user profiles with demographic profiles of desired users. User responses to advertising may be used for evaluating advertising effectiveness such as for test or microtarget marketing. Compensation to users for viewing advertising may also be provided. For instance, users may be provided with subsidized Internet access for receiving advertising while concurrently interacting with an Internet service. Users may also be provided with various games and/or game tournaments via interactive network communications. Thus, users may respond to advertising while being entertained (e.g., via games), or while interacting with another network service. REEXAMINATION RESULTS The questions raised in reexamination proceeding No. 90/011,117, filed Jul. 27, 2010, have been considered, and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.570(e) forreexaminations, or the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 316 as provided in 37 CFR 1.997(e) forreexaminations.