Electronic Trading Cards (ETC) - ICAP Ocean Tomo Announces Collectible Software With Unique Potential in Gaming and Social Media Markets

CHICAGO, Feb. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Developed by Tyler Peppel and represented by ICAP Ocean Tomo -- this patent has the potential for significant impact in the growing worlds of electronic gaming and social networking. It will be auctioned off at ICAP Ocean Tomo's Spring 2011 Live IP Auction on March 31, 2011 in New York City.

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This patent discloses a system for the application of a trading card metaphor to a computer program and the unique design of several hardware and software systems which support and enhance collecting, trading, and game playing. The invention takes the traditional trading card metaphor and uniquely updates and enhances it for application in consumer digital media.

Key Characteristics

The patent discloses the following:

• Multiple system components – Several components function as a system to support the creation, trading, and collection of electronic trading cards (ETCs) as well as associated game play – an important part of the appeal.
• The system facilitates game and card creation - An end-user or player can use the system to create the ETCs uniquely in a pre-defined format and then store them in a user-defined electronic catalogue. It further enables a user to transact or exchange ETCs with other users over a computer network (e.g., intranet or Internet).
• The system is internet compatible with low-cost delivery - The software enabling the disclosed system can be distributed over a network and need not be stored or distributed via DVDs/CDs or other storage devices.
• The system facilitates electronic commerce - It provides an efficient model for playing and organizing trading card games and reduces logistics and operational efforts required for sales and distribution. Furthermore, it facilitates authorization of various activities, such as the creation and trading of ETCs over the network itself.
• The system facilitates social networking - ETCs can be used to play online games and reduces the overall cost of organizing trading card games.
• The patent in this lot has already been cited - Citations include several large industry players, including Disney, Nintendo, Sony, Electronic Arts, Creative Kingdoms, Nokia, Microsoft, Sega, Konami, and Silverbrook Research.

Market Potential

The disclosed technology offers the following opportunities:

• The global market for trading card games was estimated to be worth $2.1 billion in 2009, while the markets for online gaming and gaming consoles are estimated to reach $20 billion and $66 billion respectively by 2012.(1,2,3)  
• The US social gaming market is expected to be worth $2 billion in 2012, while the global mobile gaming market is estimated to reach $10 billion by 2014.(4,5)
• This lot should be of interest to entities involved in manufacturing consumer digital entertainment, including packaged software games, mobile games, online social games, as well as the manufacturers of gaming consoles and devices.

About ICAP Ocean Tomo LLC

ICAP Ocean Tomo is the intellectual property brokerage division of ICAP and the world's premier patent auction firm.

About ICAP

ICAP is the world's premier interdealer broker and provider of post trade services. The Group matches buyers and sellers in the wholesale markets in interest rates, credit, commodities, foreign exchange, emerging markets, equities and equity derivatives through voice and electronic networks. ICAP plc was added to the FTSE 100 Index on 30 June 2006. For more information go to www.icap.com.

SOURCE ICAP Ocean Tomo