An exchange system for intangible goods comprises a first user system, a
second user system, a registry system, a clearinghouse system and a hash
module coupled for communication with each other. The first and second
user systems includes a content module for acting as a repository for
intangible goods, a pricing module for setting the price of intangible
goods, a transaction generator module for creating transactions between
seller and buyer, and a transaction log module for recording any
transaction in which the user system participates. These systems are used
to consummate transactions with other users for exchanging intangible
goods. As part of each transaction, the user and the transaction must be
entered or registered in the registry system. The registry system
comprises an account module and a transaction log module for maintaining
the anonymity of the sellers and buyers. The hash module is used by the
other modules to generate unique hash codes that are used to access
transactions and to validate users. The clearinghouse system includes an
account module, an audit module, and a transaction log module for
clearing and posting transactions once they have been verified between
two users.