AuctionHelper, a provider of eBay and online-auction management tools since 1997, announced it has been issued a new patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). According to the press release, the patent, No. 7,296,033, covers the basic technology behind the AuctionLynxx tool offered by AuctionHelper, including the fundamental cross-selling methodology that was "pioneered by AuctionLynxx and subsequently copied by others in the industry." AuctionHelper announced that it is one of a series of patents it expects to receive on its fundamental concepts in online auction management.

"We are very pleased that we have been granted this patent from the PTO," AuctionHelper's Vice-President, Martin Anderson, stated. "AuctionHelper was one of the companies responsible for launching the online auction management industry, and developed many of the management technologies now being used by millions of buyers and sellers every day. This patent confirms that AuctionHelper has played a leading role in developing innovative ideas and solutions for the online auction space."

When asked what competing products might be in violation of its patent, AuctionHelper co-founder Jerry Lynch said, "AuctionHelper intends to vigorously protect its intellectual property rights. We do not think it appropriate to comment any further at the present time."

AuctionHelper launched the AuctionLynxx tool in 2001, long before slideshow applications became popular. AuctionLynxx showcases an eBay sellers's entire inventory within each individual auction, fixed-price or eBay Store listing and can be incorporated into custom template designs or placed on websites and "About Me" pages.

http://www.auctionlynxx.com

See AuctionBytes Interview with AuctionHelper co-founder Jerry Lynch from 2004:
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abu/y204/m06/abu0120/s04