Creation and Registration of Ideas and Concepts in a Virtual Environment

Abstract

The present disclosure provides various novel concepts to a video game environment. The disclosure describes video game environments that include a method and system for protecting intellectual property designed by players in a virtual environment for use in the virtual environment.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing a first video game environment;   importing an image of an object to be created in a virtual environment;   creating a blueprint from the image of the object;   obtaining a determination of registerability for the blueprint; and   if the blueprint is registerable, registering the blueprint in a virtual patent office.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing access to a database of blueprints for registered objects to player characters interacting in the first game environment. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining a determination of registrability comprises comparing the blueprint to other registered blueprints in the virtual environment. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the comparison is performed by an Examiner. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the comparison is performed by a panel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the comparison is made by an algorithm. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the creator of the image used to make the blueprint may defend the blueprint. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining a determination of registerability comprises comparing the blueprint to real world intellectual property. 
     
     
         9 . A method of creating objects in a virtual environment using a blueprint comprising:
 providing a first video game environment;   importing an image of an object to be created in a virtual environment;   creating a blueprint from the image of the object;   determining if the blueprint may be registered;   creating the object depicted by the blueprint.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein if the blueprint cannot be registered an object may not be made from it. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein objects made from a blueprint include the registration information. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein if the blueprint cannot be registered, any object made using the blueprint cannot be sold on an exchange. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein objects made from unregistered blueprints may be sold on a black market. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 providing a first video game environment;   importing an image of an object to be created in a virtual environment from a first player character;   creating a blueprint from the image of the object;   making the rights to the blueprint available to other player characters.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising receiving a request to purchase a blueprint from a second player character;
 receiving payment for the blueprint from the second player character; and   authorizing the second player character to build the object in the blueprint.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising receiving a request to license a blueprint from a second player character;
 negotiating licensing terms;   receiving payment for the license from the second player character;   and authorizing the second player character to build the object in the blueprint.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the licensing terms include milestone payments. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the rights to the blueprint are made available on an exchange. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the exchange may be between different virtual environments. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the different virtual environments may be in different games.