Patented: shipping your next package to you before you even order it
Online retailer Amazon gained a US patent for “anticipatory shipping” of packaged products even before the online customer has hit the “buy’ button. One of the described methods includes packaging one or more items as a package for eventual shipment to a delivery address, selecting a destination geographical area to which to ship the package, shipping the package without completely specifying the delivery address at the time of shipment and while the package is in transit, completely specifying the delivery address.
The method may further include completely specifying the delivery address for the package while the package is in transit.
Click here for the patent.
You can learn more about patents in an upcoming NVC Topical meeting NVC Topical meeting Legal protection of packaging - trademarks, designs and patents (March 21st, 2014).
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