Sandra J Shepard

US Patent:

20030225702, Dec 4, 2003

Filed:

May 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/161564

Inventors:

Jorge Martin - New York NY, US
Michael Melcher - New York NY, US
Sandra Shepard - Petaluma CA, US

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/059000

Abstract:

A system and method for acquisition, registration, and authentication of works of art and the like is provided. The system and method of the present invention changes the basis for proving legitimate possession of artwork from a bearer system based on trust of provenance provided by an art dealer (if any) to a registration system based on a license. It provides a contractual basis among the parties for assuring authenticity and exclusivity (rarity). The present invention accomplishes two important objectives: 1) it ensures that an artist produces only a designated number of copies of any single artwork, thereby establishing exclusivity, and 2) it tracks the possession of these copies, so that the authenticity and legitimacy of any particular copy can be clearly and quickly established according to agreed-upon procedures.

US Patent:

20040069921, Apr 15, 2004

Filed:

Aug 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/641475

Inventors:

Sandra Shepard - Berkeley CA, US
Raffi Minasian - Walnut Creek CA, US

International Classification:

A47B097/04

US Classification:

248/444000

Abstract:

A holder for decorative sheet material comprising two separate pieces, one piece for attaching to an upper edge portion of a sheet material and for hanging from a wall, the other piece for attaching to a lower edge portion of the sheet material. Each piece of the holder comprises a top plate and a base plate hingedly connected together, and means such as a post, adhesive tape or spring-loaded clip for connecting the sheet material to the base plate. In particular embodiments, spring-loaded clips both hingedly connect the top and base plates, and act as a means to connect the sheet material to the base plate.