Build, License, and Litigate - A Game of Patent Strategy

Abstract

A patent strategy game includes a plurality of industrial sector spaces defined by one or more technology sector spaces comprising one or two industrial sector spaces. A plurality of product markers are placed on technology spaces during play of the game. Intellectual property markers obtained on predetermined conditions are placed on the technology spaces to create intellectual property rights on the technology spaces. A resolution mechanism is provided for resolving intellectual property right disputes between players arising from a movement of product markers into a technology space having intellectual property rights of another player. The player at the end of the game whose market value from all product markers and intellectual property markers on the game board is the greatest is the winner of the game.

We claim: 
     
         1 . Aboard game for play by two or more players comprising:
 a plurality of industrial sector spaces defined by one or more technology sector spaces comprising one or more technology spaces defining a world economy;   a plurality of market gateways, each market gateway providing a link between at least two industrial sector spaces;   a plurality of product markers for placement on one or more of the one or more technology spaces during play of the board game;   a plurality of intellectual property markers, each intellectual property marker representing a form of intellectual property; and   a resolution mechanism;   wherein each player is provided with a predetermined number of product markers at the start of the game for placement on one or more of the one or more technology spaces on the board game to define a starting market position for the each of the two or more players;   wherein each player is provided with a predetermined number of additional product markers at the start of a turn for placement on either one or more of the one or more existing technology spaces on the board game on which there are one or more product pieces of a player to grow an existing market position existing on the one or more technology spaces at the start of the turn or to place on one or more new technology spaces to define a new market position;   wherein the placement of the predetermined number of additional product markers at the start of a turn on the one or more new technology spaces during a turn is limited to one or more new technology spaces that directly or by a market gateway adjoin the one or more existing technology spaces at the start of the turn;   wherein each player obtains intellectual property markers during the game on predetermined conditions for placement on the one or more existing technology spaces for creating intellectual property rights on the one or more technology spaces;   wherein resolution of a dispute regarding an intellectual property right between the players arising from a movement of product markers of one player into a technology space of another player having intellectual property rights in that technology space includes a resolution mechanism; and   wherein the player at the end of the game whose market value from all product markers and intellectual property markers on the game board is the greatest is the winner of the game.   
     
     
         2 . The board ga  claim 1  wherein the intellectual property is a patent. 
     
     
         3 . The board game of  claim 2  wherein the dispute resolution is by a number generator. 
     
     
         4 . The board game of  claim 3  wherein the number generator is a dice. 
     
     
         5 . The board game of  claim 3  wherein the dispute is a patent infringement and the patent holder prevails in the dispute with a generated number that is greater than the number of the other player. 
     
     
         6 . The board game of  claim 3  wherein the dispute is a patent validity and a player prevails against the patent holder in the dispute with a generated number that is at least two greater than the number of the other player. 
     
     
         7 . The board game of  claim 5  wherein the dispute is triggered before actual movement of product markers of one player into the technology space of the patent holder. 
     
     
         8 . The board game of  claim 5  wherein the dispute is triggered after actual movement of product markers of one player into the technology space of the patent holder. 
     
     
         9 . The board game of  claim 8  wherein the dispute is triggered at the election of the patent holder. 
     
     
         10 . The board game of  claim 5  wherein the dispute is triggered by an assertion of a patent in a technology space against product markers held by another player in the industrial sector of the asserted patent. 
     
     
         11 . The board game of  claim 10  wherein the patent holder prevails in the dispute with a generated number that is two greater than the number of the other player. 
     
     
         12 . The board game of  claim 1  wherein the dispute resolution is by agreement between parties having an interest in the intellectual property right. 
     
     
         13 . The board game of  claim 12  wherein the agreement involves a license. 
     
     
         14 . The board game of  claim 12  wherein the agreement involves a cross-license. 
     
     
         15 . The board game of  claim 1  further comprising an IP asset tracking mechanism for tracking the intellectual property of a player. 
     
     
         16 . The board game of  claim 1  wherein the market value from patent markers is a first value if the player holds one or more patents on some but not all of the technology space of a technology sector of an industrial sector; a second value if the player holds one or more patents on all the technology spaces of one but not all technology sectors of the industrial sector; and a third value if the player holds one or more patent on all technology space of all technology sectors of the industrial sector. 
     
     
         17 . A method for a game of patents comprising the steps of:
 defining one or more technology sector spaces comprising one or more technology spaces defining a world economy;   defining a plurality of market gateways, each market gateway providing a link between at least two industrial sector spaces;   placing one or more product markers on one or more of the one or more technology spaces on which there are no product pieces of a player during play of the board game to create an existing market position;   placing one or more product markers on one or more of the one or more technology spaces that directly or by a market gateway adjoin the one or more existing technology spaces at the start of the turn to create a new market;   securing one or more intellectual property on a technology space on which a player has a predetermined number of product markers;   creating a dispute by movement of one or more product markers into a technology space on a which patent is held by another player;   resolving the dispute with the patent holder by predetermined rules.   wherein each player obtains intellectual property markers during the game on predetermined conditions for placement on the one or more existing technology spaces for creating intellectual property rights on the one or more technology spaces;   wherein resolution of a dispute regarding an intellectual property right between the players arising from a movement of product markers of one player into a technology space of another player having intellectual property rights in that technology space includes a resolution mechanism; and   wherein the player at the end of the game whose market value from all product markers and intellectual property markers on the game board is the greatest is the winner of the game.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the dispute is patent infringement and further comprising the step of:
 generating a number by the patent holder using a number generator that is greater than the number of the other player. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the dispute is patent invalidity and further comprising the step of:
 generating a number by a player using a number generator that is two greater than the number of the patent holder prevails against the patent holder in the dispute. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of:
 resolving the dispute by the patent holder grant of a license.