Metaverse Patents
Although the word ‘Metaverse’ has been in use for several years, however, common people came to know about this term only after Facebook announced its decision to rebrand itself to ‘Meta’ as one of the companies helping metaverse. Metaverse is positioning of several tech elements such as videos, virtual reality and augmented reality where users ‘reside’ inmost a digital universe. It is a virtual environment that exists on top of, beyond, or in addition to the real world. Its users can stay connected with each other through events like virtual trips, conferences, and even rock concerts by interacting with each other. Metaverse patent attorneys draft virtual reality and mixed reality patent claims as seen in metaverse patent examples that have been filed globally as international filings covering metaverse.
Metaverse implies integrating online shopping, 5G, virtual meetings, social networks, artificial intelligence (AI), cryptos, NFTs, and more. Although this concept seems fresh, it feels like the metaverse items are already everywhere. As the world takes an active interest in the metaverse, few tech companies have already started exploring the potential that it offers. Few companies on metaverse are listed below.
Epic Games
Based in the United States (US), Epic Games was established in 1991 and is a prominent software developer and video game company. It is the developer of famous adventure games such as Unreal, Fortnite, and Unreal Engie 4. After announcing its entry in the metaverse, the company is looking forward to building a metaverse platform by offering metaverse items. Through such a platform, people would be able to interact with each other, with brands, and even reside in such a virtual environment. Recently, the company announced the release of ‘Digital Humans’ – a metahuman creator tool. This tool will enable users to create animated and photorealistic humans to play games. As one of the metaverse key companies, it intends to offer an experience to its users which will be more than digital – where people may bond over conversations and even have a virtual dining experience.
In terms of metaverse patents, Epic Games has filed several patents, including those patents that claim social networking features. As an example, US patent 9474966 discloses the concept of gameplay changes to a video game based upon a social networking poll or question. As stated therein, this patent claims a concept of using the social networking poll to control and organize gaming client feedback and providing gameplay changes based on the gaming client feedback
Microsoft
When Microsoft found out how the global pandemic forced people to learn online communication and work online, the company announced its intention to be one of the companies on metaverse. Owing to the pandemic, employees are losing out on kitchen & corridor catch-ups and unexpected interactions that may help them in networking. To assist employees to deal with such disconnections, Microsoft announced ‘Mesh for Microsoft Teams’ that will be available soon. Employees would be able to access Mesh for Teams via VR headsets and mixed reality glasses. They may interact in virtual locations and perform jobs with persistent 3D material. Employees may be able to hold meetups with colour-coded tasks, interactive whiteboards, and even present product prototypes on virtual tables.
Microsoft is one of leading patent filers that includes patents covering virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. As an example, US patent 20220157026 relates to methods and systems for authoring and presenting 3D presentations. As per this patent, an augmented or virtual reality device for each author, presenter and audience member includes 3D presentation software.
Block
A digital payment company owned by Jack Dorsey & earlier known as ‘Square’, Block announced its movement to Metaverse so that it can include block parties, dealers with obstacles, music among other things. Block makes a reference to the building blocks of the metaverse, which has helped one of the companies helping metaverse to gain popularity as it works towards its plan. The company has sold virtual lands for millions of dollars on several platforms as metaverse items. In these virtual worlds, blockchain is responsible for exchanges in such virtual worlds and bitcoin is the preferred currency. Since Block already has an investment in cryptos, therefore the company is at advantage. Users entering this virtual platform can exchange or buy non-fungible tokens (NFTs) which are assets based on blockchain and represent real-world assets like art, real estate, etc.
Meta (Facebook)
Facebook announced its metaverse association in October 2021 by changing its corporate name to ‘Meta.’ The company is experimenting with a metaverse technology by launching metaverse items where users can build communities, interact with each other and socialize from the comfort of their homes. It also plans to change routine living by building virtual offices, 3D workrooms that can be accessed via augmented reality. Currently, the company is also working on Horizon workrooms where users may get to meet each other in virtual workrooms.
As one of the companies on metaverse it also intends to come up with extended realities and is working on VR headset prototypes. With its entry into the metaverse as a leader in this technology sector, Meta aims to provide a collection of virtual and augmented reality elements that will be the future of social networking as per the company. It has also been working on its virtual reality headset model extensively.
Nike
An American MNC that is into footwear and apparel, Nike has a global presence since 1964. Recently, the footwear giant announced its entry into the metaverse environment in collaboration with Roblox. One of the metaverse key companies, Nike has launched its virtual world on Roblox called ‘Nikeland.’ It is a free space where users can explore games. Players who register for Nikeland shall be allowed to run marathons and try the latest sports shoes virtually. It will also come with a few digital avatars. They will also get a chance to wear ‘digital Nike digs.’ Users who win competitions in Nikeland shall be rewarded with ‘blue bands.’ With entry in the metaverse, Nike aims to provide real-life experience in the virtual environment. To enhance the virtual ‘Nikeland experience’ the company has also launched exclusive virtual products. It plans to offer immersive gaming and shopping experience through Nikeland so that users can’t get over their metaverse experience.
Metaverse Patent Basics
In addition to the crucial points stated here relating to metaverse patents the future business models based on metaverse innovation may regularly need assistance for metaverse Patent Searching. The results of a patent search report for metaverse patents and metaverse projects can assist in determining if Patent Drafting for metaverse is the next step for metaverse International Patent Filing along with metaverse USPTO Patent Filing. In case of blockchain based business models adapted from metaverse, utility token Legal Opinion Letters may also be needed for metaverse projects, along with a set of applicable metaverse contractsand metaverse agreements.
References
- https://technext.ng/2021/12/17/global-top-5-companies-that-moved-towards-metaverse-in-2021-and-how-they-did-it/
- https://brandessenceresearch.com/blog/metaverse-market
- https://www.analyticssteps.com/blogs/8-top-companies-leading-metaverse-technology
Our team of advanced patent attorneys assists clients with patent searches, drafting patent applications, and patent (intellectual property) agreements, including licensing and non-disclosure agreements.
Advocate Rahul Dev is a Patent Attorney & International Business Lawyer practicing Technology, Intellectual Property & Corporate Laws. He is reachable at rd (at) patentbusinesslawyer (dot) com & @rdpatentlawyer on Twitter.
Quoted in and contributed to 50+ national & international publications (Bloomberg, FirstPost, SwissInfo, Outlook Money, Yahoo News, Times of India, Economic Times, Business Standard, Quartz, Global Legal Post, International Bar Association, LawAsia, BioSpectrum Asia, Digital News Asia, e27, Leaders Speak, Entrepreneur India, VCCircle, AutoTech).
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