HOLLYWOOD, June 25 (UPI) -- Netflix stock soared more than 6 percent after the company said it has received a broadly worded patent for its online subscription film-rental service.
It apparently would cover systems in use by competitors such as Wal-Mart and Blockbuster.
It covers subscription plans based on allowing a maximum number of items to be out at any given time as well as those based on permitting a maximum number of exchanges during the rental period, Daily Variety reported.
Although the patent primarily describes a system for Internet ordering and delivery through the mail, it claims to cover all methods for placing orders through a subscription program and all modes of delivery, including in-store subscription services.
The broad language of the patent would appear to apply to the online DVD rental service recently initiated by Wal-Mart Stores, as well as the in-store game rental program initiated by Blockbuster.
