Intellectual Property Protection In The Metaverse

Highlights

• The U.S. Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO) has experienced a significant rise in the number of trademark applications to protect goods and/or services in a virtual sphere, in what is now being referred to as "the metaverse."
• Protectable intellectual property assets in the metaverse vary from copyrighted content to all manner of trademarks, including logos, brands, slogans and trade dress in the form of packaging and design, and possibly even design patent protection for unique configurations.
• Companies should conduct a thorough analysis of the virtual landscape where they hope to market and promote goods and services in order to determine whether they even want to do business in the metaverse.