Importance

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Abstract

This is a method and system whereby parties who know each other only by pseudonyms, such as by Internet e-mail addresses, may send and receive gifts while maintaining anonymity behind their pseudonyms. Steps of the method include receiving a request from a first pseudonymous party to take an order for a gift to be sent to a second party; obtaining from the first party an identification of the intended gift, and the pseudonym of the second party; and, looking up a non-pseudonymous name and address associated with the second in a database. Alternatively, the second party may be contacted and asked to confidentially reveal his or her name and mailing address for gift delivery purposes. While the second party's information is kept confidential from the first party, the second party has various choices including accepting the gift, accepting it upon certain conditions, or refusing it. The system of the invention includes components for permitting the first party to enter the second party's pseudonym; for determining the second party's true name and mailing address from his or her pseudonym; and, for sending the gift to the second party's true name and mailing address.

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First Claim