Worcester-based Paid Inc., an online auctioning and e-commerce operation run by Greg Rotman of Rotman’s Furniture fame, has been awarded a new patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The patent covers a novel method of determining real-time shipping costs on online auction sites by simply entering a zip code, the company said. The company has been seeking patent protection for the technology since 2000. The patent becomes effective Janary 29.
The patent covers shipping charge calculation methods across multiple carriers, and accounts for additional characteristics of the item being shipped, such as weight, special packaging, handling, and insurance costs.
Rotman said his company will pursue licensing agreements with a broad swath of e-commerce companies for the new technology.
