US Patent 8388440 Network account linking

Methods and apparatus for managing and linking network accounts to share access privileges among accounts. In one implementation, a method of managing network accounts includes: linking a second account having general access to a first account having member access; and granting at least part of said member access to said second account while said second account is linked to said first account; wherein said first account has a corresponding subscription, said general access provides at least one privilege, and said member access provides two or more privileges that are not provided by said general access.