Own a patent application for a rock-paper-scissors video game for just $90,000

by JC Fletcher { Jun 29th 2009 at 10:00AM }

A visionary named Ivan Allen has broken ground in two ways: first, he has applied for a patent on an online multiplayer rock-paper-scissors game for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, and second, he has put the application on eBay. He's set up the eBay account "videogamepatentseller," so it seems likely he's planning to do this again.

Now, before you get too excited about spending $90,000 (or more, if there's a bidding war) on the rights to an online rock-paper-scissors game, notice that the auction is for a provisional patent application, and not an awarded patent. If you want to own that patent, you'll still have to file a non-provisional patent application before February of 2010 (one year after the filing of the first application). So, really, you're buying the possibility of getting a patent on the idea, maybe. The perfect Christmas gift!

[Thanks, Luis B.]

Tags: ebay, patent, patent-application, rock-paper-scissors

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Arnie @ Jun 29th 2009 10:12AM

This guy is a waste of oxygen he breathes.

DaveMcRae the Haiku Artist @ Jun 29th 2009 10:20AM

I salute him for his chutzpa.

Glenn @ Jun 29th 2009 7:11PM

Oh sweet haiku man
Your comments are misguided
Can't think of last line :P

Rick Lee @ Jun 29th 2009 10:20AM

this guys an ahole

baby sea tuna @ Jun 29th 2009 10:25AM

Patent-squatting is surely a nut-kickable offense.

ScottG13 @ Jun 29th 2009 10:27AM

Software patents need to die a grizzly death.

Wizzleteets @ Jun 29th 2009 10:27AM

I await The Dark Wayne's bid.

The Dark Wayne @ Jul 1st 2009 12:45PM

wtf?

Gman @ Jun 29th 2009 10:33AM

No Rock, Paper, Scissors game will ever beat the EXTREME DEATHMATCH

http://www.adultswim.com/games/game/?game=rockpaperscissors

WINterfang @ Jun 29th 2009 11:20AM

Yeah I was going to say the same thing.

Paper for the win.

GhostofGrendel @ Jun 29th 2009 10:44AM

This reminds me of some stories I heard a few years ago about lawyers who spent their time filing lawsuit after lawsuit about anything they could dream up just to see what would stick. Some of them actually made millions because large corporations would pay them to drop the suit to avoid bad publicity and court costs. Could this guy just keep filing patent applications for every possible notion he can dream up and hope that he roadblocks ideas of others and forces them buy patent apps from him?

Jampirow @ Jun 29th 2009 10:44AM

That EDGE guy would be so proud.

davivman @ Jun 29th 2009 10:45AM

I'm a patent attorney, and I can tell you that there is no way this guy could ever get a patent granted on this idea. Anybody can file a provisional application. I could doodle cirlces in crayon on a napkin and the patent office would take my application fee and give me a filing date. I can think of a dozen video games that incorporate rock, paper, scissors. Any of those games are prior art and would surely anticipate this "invention". Hopefully there isn't anyone dumb enough to give this guy a penny.

Ryguy226 @ Jun 29th 2009 12:55PM

And as an examiner, I know that if someone even tried to file a non-provisional, it would get rejected up to high heaven.

3dpenguin @ Jun 29th 2009 3:41PM

It sounds to me like this guy knows that and is just trying to commit fraud using eBay, and that's nothing new.

Vcize @ Jun 29th 2009 11:11AM

How much did this guy spend on a provisional patent application?

roysdon @ Jun 29th 2009 11:19AM

Great use of an Alex Kidd screenshot though. I expect no less from JC!

adam @ Jun 29th 2009 11:30AM

I have a rock/paper/scissors game for sega saturn. It was something I bought in Japan and the gist of the game is you play rock/paper/scissors with cute girls in a game similar to strip poker. I am not totally sure how patents work, but this game seems have to beaten this guy to the idea anyway....