Methods and apparatus for disseminating over
the Internet product information produced and maintained
by product manufacturers using existing universal product codes (bar codes) as access keys. A cross-referencing resource preferably implemented by the existing Internet
Domain Name System (DNS) receives Internet request messages containing all or part of a
universal product code value and returns
the Internet address at which data or services relating to the identified product, or to the manufacturer of that product, may be obtained. By using preferred Web data storage formats and protocol which conform to
XML, XLS, XLink, Xpointer,
RDF and
Web service standards specifications, product and company information may be seamlessly identified, retrieved and integrated with information from other sources. A “web register” module can be employed to provide an Internet interface between a shared sales Internet
server and an otherwise conventional
inventory control system, and operates in conjunction with the cross-referencing
server to provide detailed product information to Internet shoppers who may purchase goods from existing stores via
the Internet.