Versus Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:VS, CSE:VS) has announced that the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted 20 new claims to cover the company’s games and challenges that produce real-world rewards inside of apps and streaming media.
US Patent No. 11,376,498 associated with the Los Angeles-based company’s Managing In-Content Challenges For Multi-Player Games patent filed in 2019 protects first and second-screen games inside of apps, television broadcasts, and streaming media, with a focus on how to provide different digital and physical prizes to different players based on their performance in the games and eligibility criteria such as age and location.
"Versus is very proud of its growing patent portfolio around in-game rewards. We are creating innovative, unique technologies for both content creators and audiences," Versus Systems founder and CEO Matthew Pierce said in a statement.
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"The streaming media landscape is changing so fast - from Disney to Amazon to Discovery to the evolving college football landscape, fans should expect a better experience than traditional TV commercials,” he added.
Versus said the new IP will allow content creators and distributors to seek new ways to help audiences earn rewards while watching and interacting with their favorite shows, including live sports, game streams, and reality TV.
The engagement and rewards company believes its technology has the potential to dramatically increase the number of participants in sweepstakes, tournaments, and rewards-based competitions.
Versus will use its patented technologies in-venue at NFL, NHL, NBA, NCAA, and other sporting events, and in Over-The-Top (OTT) television and streaming media from the fourth quarter of this year, it said.
“Content, even branded, sponsored, and ad-supported content, should be more personal, more contextual, and more rewarding. Audiences should be able to earn rewards and prizes that they care about while watching their favorite content. These patents help with that. Our whole portfolio does. We want to make things more fun, and we're eager to use this patented technology to do that," added Versus CEO Pierce.
Versus' growing patent portfolio now includes multiple granted US and international patents, with dozens of claims around the management of prizing in games, dynamic regulatory compliance, single and multiplayer prizing, competitive balance, and rewards in streaming media.
In addition to these new claims granted by the USPTO and their other issued patents, the company continues to actively develop and file patent claims for new technologies focused on prizing and rewards inside interactive media, securing intellectual property protection accordingly, both in the US and other Patent Cooperation Treaty countries.
Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com