Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems: for forming relationships between player characters, to allow for karma points, death, and reincarnation of player characters, for inheritance between player characters, to allow a game that progresses in eras, that allow reverse outcomes of game parameters, to create in-game objects from digital images of real life objects, to provide inventory management of in-game items and attributes, to facilitate favors between player characters, and to allow for genetic crossbreeding of parents to form children.

Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for enforcing contracts within video game environments. Methods and systems of the invention include virtual and real world penalties and remedies for entities that breach contracts or other obligations undertaken in the virtual world.

Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for obtaining funding for developing game environments. Methods and systems include a variety of funding sources including taxes, fees, licenses, bond issuance, loans, investors, commercial paper, convertible debt, bills, notes, debt issuance, promissory notes, venture capital, the issuance of private shares, transforming the game environment into a public company through an initial public offering, or through a follow on offering such as the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, or treasury stock. In one embodiment the disclosure provides methods and systems for allowing members of a Venture Capital entity to vote on whether or not to fund a given venture.

Abstract: A system and method to allow players of a video game to perform financial transactions in a virtual environment. According to some embodiments, real world financial instruments such as a credit card or other financial instrument may guarantee some or all of the virtual financial operations.

Abstract: A mechanism for dispute mediation and resolution in a virtual environment is provided. The mechanism may involve the breach of a virtual contract and the determination of suitable penalties against the breaching parties. In some embodiments, the mechanism may include a judge or jury comprising members of the virtual community.

Abstract: A virtual environment including a plurality of virtual professionals capable or providing goods and services to players in the virtual environment is described. The goods and services may be relevant to the real world, the virtual world, or both. Single-use avatars whose availability is limited and which are configured to protect the anonymity of the player controlling the single-use avatar may be used when anonymity is desired. Queues may be used to schedule appointments with virtual professionals.

Abstract: A virtual environment in which players are able to receive alerts intended to indicate the occurrence of a given event within the virtual environment. The alerts may be delivered to the player while he is playing the game via an in-game messaging service or other similar device. Alternatively the alerts may be delivered to the player via a real world communication device such as a cell phone, pager, text messaging device, or the like.

Abstract: Improved methods for drafting, preparing, and submitting a patent application are described. The system incorporates a web-based tool in which applications are drafted. The web-based tool allows for real time analysis of the application as it is being drafted. Automated suggestions, prior art searching, researcher and attorney recommendations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A virtual environment in which players are charged and able to charge taxes for various taxable activities. The tax may be levied by a governmental authority or other entity or by one or more characters in the metaverse. The tax may be imposed at the time of a taxable activity, at periodic intervals, or upon the occurrence of an event. The tax may be imposed for a specific purpose, e.g. to create a fund to use as insurance against possible harms, threats, or misdeeds, to protect the tax payers from impending or realized threats, or for any or no reason.

Abstract: Virtual environments in which multiple characters are allowed to form relationships wherein the relationships may provide various benefits as well as obligations are described. Systems and methods for forming, monitoring, and terminating the relationships are also described.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to allow inheritance between player characters. The method provides a player character with an ability to designate one or more character attributes acquired in a virtual environment to one or more other player characters. The inheritance method and system includes multiple options for gameplay, e.g. will creation, debt satisfaction, taxation, distribution.

Abstract: A virtual environment in which players are able to receive alerts intended to indicate the occurrence of a given event within the virtual environment. The alerts may be delivered to the player while he is playing the game via an in-game messaging service or other similar device. Alternatively the alerts may be delivered to the player via a real world communication device such as a cell phone, pager, text messaging device, or the like.

Abstract: A virtual environment in which characters are able to engage in a variety of financial transactions is provided. Characters who are unable to fulfill their financial obligations may enter into bankruptcy. Bankruptcy contracts may identify various conditions which must be fulfilled by the character in order to get out of bankruptcy. While in bankruptcy, the player's avatar or avatar's may be altered to indicate to the player and/or others that the character represented by the avatar is in bankruptcy.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various novel concepts to a video game environment. Video game environments that include a method for controlling the quantity of raw materials in and between games, where player characters invent items by creating blueprints that are registered to a virtual patent office and used by other player characters, that include methods for digital rights management, that include a method for providing inter and intra game exchanges between games, and that provide for the Initial Public Offering of game environments on an Inter Game Environment exchange are described.

Abstract: A system that allows advertisers to select keywords in invention disclosure documents such as patents, patent applications, defensive publications and the like, to which advertisements are to be hyperlinked. The number, content, and types of documents in which the hyperlinks appear may be narrowed down based on parameters set by the advertiser.

Abstract: A system that allows advertisers to select keywords in invention disclosure documents such as patents, patent applications, defensive publications and the like, to which advertisements are to be hyperlinked. The number, content, and types of documents in which the hyperlinks appear may be narrowed down based on parameters set by the advertiser.

Abstract: Improved methods for drafting, preparing, and submitting a patent application are described. The system provides for automated prior art searches. The system also provides a mechanism by which end users can submit comments on the prior art and these comments are used to determine the relevance of the prior art in future prior art searches.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various novel concepts to a video game environment. The disclosed invention enables a game environment that progresses in discrete time frames such as eras or ages. Under certain controlled situations, play may return to previous eras via temporary time travel to alter or change the outcome of a previous era in an effort to ultimately improve the outcome of the current game environment.

Abstract: A document priority queuing system is described wherein a document that is received for processing is assigned a position in a queue and a fee can be paid to change the documents position in the queue. Also provided are mechanisms for ensuring fairness to documents provided by applicants who are unable or unwilling to pay priority processing fees.

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.