System for the 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 system comprising:
 a server configured to provide a virtual environment wherein users can interact with each other and the environment through avatars;   a blueprint creation module in electronic communication with the server, the blueprint creation module being configured to enable a user to create a blueprint of a virtual object that will reside within the virtual environment;   a blueprint registration module configured to:
 receive blueprints created by the blueprint creation module; and 
 maintain a blueprint database comprising the blueprints received by the blueprint registration module. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a blueprint examination module configured to:
 receive blueprints created by the blueprint creation module; and   determine if the blueprint is registrable.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the blueprint examination module is further configured to determine the uniqueness of the blueprint by comparing the blueprint to other blueprints in the database maintained by the blueprint registration module. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a user interface configured to allow users to view the blueprints maintained in the blueprint database. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  further comprising a access limitation mechanism configured to determine which, if any, blueprints in the blueprint database a given user may access. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a fee module. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the fee module is configured to collect fees from users in return for access to one or more blueprints in the blueprint database. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the fee module is further configured to determine an owner of a blueprint and provide at least a portion of the fee to the owner. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the fee module is further configured to collect fees from a user in return for the right to make the virtual object associated with a given blueprint. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the fee module is further configured to determine an owner of a blueprint and provide at least a portion of the fee to the owner. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the fee module is further configured to collect fees from a user in return for the right to use the virtual object associated with a given blueprint. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the fee module is further configured to determine an owner of a blueprint and provide at least a portion of the fee to the owner. 
     
     
         13 . A system comprising:
 a server configured to provide a virtual environment wherein users can interact with each other and the environment through avatars;   a blueprint registration module in electronic communication with the server; the blueprint registration module being configured to:
 receive a blueprint from a first user interacting with the virtual environment; and 
 provide compensation to the first user when a second user uses the blueprint. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein using the blueprint comprises accessing the blueprint. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein using the blueprint comprises creating an object based on a design described by the blueprint. 
     
     
         16 . A system comprising:
 a server configured to provide a virtual environment wherein users can interact with each other and the environment through avatars;   a design database containing items that may be used to aid in the creation of a blueprint;   a user-interface configured to allow a user to view and use items in the design database to create a blueprint; and   a blueprint registration module configured to determine the uniqueness of an object designed by the user using the design database.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the items in the design database are represented by pictures of items that can be combined or altered in order to create an object that can reside in the virtual environment. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the items in the design database are programs configured to render an object in the virtual environment. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the user-interface is further configured to receive specifications from the user as to how one or more items in the design database are to be combined or altered in order to form a new object. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the blueprint registration module is further configured to ensure that the user receives compensation if a second user wishes to use the object designed by the user.