This Facebook patent lists Mark Zuckerberg as an inventor and is directed towards auction based polling. Mr. Zuckerberg was awarded U.S. Patent 8249943 entitled “Auction based polling” on August 21, 2012. The utility patent has been cited 18 times by other U.S. patents in the field of it methods for management and in other fields.

A system and method for auction based polling is provided. Parameters related to a poll are received from a first user. Parameters related to a poll are received from a first user. A query is associated with the poll. A priority of the poll is determined based on the parameters. The poll is distributed to one or more second users according to the priority. Results to the poll are gathered. The results are reported to the first user. Link: U.S. Patent 8249943

Facebook filed this utility patent on May 28, 2008 giving it a processing time of 1546 days (compared to an average processing time of 1470 in the field). They have a total number of 2008 patents. The first named inventor is Mark E. Zuckerberg of Palo Alto, CA. The patent was allowed by primary examiner Naeem Haq and examiner .

Select Patents researches top it methods for management patents and electrical engineering patents which have been allowed and granted worldwide.  Click here for more information about filing a design patent. If you would like legal advice regarding a patent or would like to file a patent go to https://selectpatents.wpengine.com/contact/

Select Patents provides a variety of services. We want you to develop an effective and efficient patent protection strategy. These services include:

• Patentability Searches – Determine the patentability of your inventions.
• Freedom to Operate Searches & Opinions – Identify patents may give you potential infringement issues (including in the it methods for management field).
• Non-Infringement Opinions – Determine if your product infringes a competitor’s patent.
• Patent Invalidity Searches & Opinions – Find prior art to invalidate a competitor’s patent.
•  U.S. Provisional Patent Applications – Receive cost-effective “patent pending” status for your invention.
• U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Applications (Utility) – Apply for patent protection on the structural and functional aspects of your invention.
• U.S. Design Patent Applications – Apply for patent protection on the ornamental appearance of your invention.