Mediation of Disputes in a Virtual Environment

• US 20090170604A1
• Filed: 05/30/2007
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
• Original Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
• Inventors: Mueller, Michael Raymond, Van Luchene, Andrew S
• Application Number:
  US11/755,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20090170604A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/75 Enforcing rules, e.g. detecting foul play or generating lists of cheating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5586 for enforcing rights or rules, e.g. to prevent foul play
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/575 for trading virtual items

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.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a virtual environment wherein players are able to interact with each other and the virtual environment via avatars;

providing a dispute resolution module configured to resolve disputes between avatars in the virtual environment, the dispute resolution program being configured to;

identify a virtual contract established between two or more parties in the virtual environment;

identify the terms of the virtual contract;

determine if one or more of the terms has been breached by a party to the contract; and

determine a penalty to be imposed against the breaching party.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining if one or more of the terms has been breached by a party to the contract is performed automatically.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein determining if one or more of the terms has been breached by a party to the contract is performed in response to a request from an entity interacting with the virtual environment.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

determining the parties to the virtual contract; and

alerting the parties that the contract has been breached.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising creating a queue of disputes to be resolved.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a bribe from an entity interacting with the virtual environment; and

altering the penalty.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising assessing the penalty.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the penalty is a financial penalty imposed against a virtual world financial account.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the penalty is a financial penalty imposed against a real world financial account.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein determining if one or more terms of a virtual contract has been breached comprises:

identifying an entity who will review evidence regarding the virtual contract and performance by the parties related thereto; and

receiving a decision as to whether or not the contract was breached from the entity.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the entity is a jury comprising one or more avatars interacting with the virtual environment.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein identifying an entity who will review evidence regarding the virtual contract and performance by the parties related thereto comprises:

determining avatars in the virtual environment to be part of the jury.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein determining avatars in the virtual environment to be part of the jury comprises selecting avatars at random.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein determining avatars in the virtual environment to be part of the jury comprises selecting avatars based on one or more qualifications.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein at least one of the qualifications is the receipt of a payment from one or more parties to the virtual contract.

16. A method comprising:

providing a virtual environment wherein players are able to interact with each other and the virtual environment via avatars;

providing a dispute resolution module configured to resolve disputes between avatars in the virtual environment, the dispute resolution program being configured to;

identify one or more virtual contracts established between two or more parties in the virtual environment;

identify the terms of the virtual contract;

monitor the activity of the parties to the virtual contract; and

determine if a term of the virtual contract is likely to be breached by at least one of the parties.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising alerting one or more parties to the virtual contract that the virtual contract is likely to be breached.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

determining that a term of the virtual contract has been breached.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising determining a penalty to be imposed against the breaching party.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the penalty is termination of the virtual contract.