Build, License, and Litigate - A Game of Patent Strategy

Aboard game for play by two or more players comprising:

• a plurality of industrial sector spaces defined by one or more technology sector spaces comprising one or more technology spaces defining a world economy;
• a plurality of market gateways, each market gateway providing a link between at least two industrial sector spaces;
• a plurality of product markers for placement on one or more of the one or more technology spaces during play of the board game;
• a plurality of intellectual property markers, each intellectual property marker representing a form of intellectual property;
• and
• a resolution mechanism;
• wherein each player is provided with a predetermined number of product markers at the start of the game for placement on one or more of the one or more technology spaces on the board game to define a starting market position for the each of the two or more players;
• wherein each player is provided with a predetermined number of additional product markers at the start of a turn for placement on either one or more of the one or more existing technology spaces on the board game on which there are one or more product pieces of a player to grow an existing market position existing on the one or more technology spaces at the start of the turn or to place on one or more new technology spaces to define a new market position;
• wherein the placement of the predetermined number of additional product markers at the start of a turn on the one or more new technology spaces during a turn is limited to one or more new technology spaces that directly or by a market gateway adjoin the one or more existing technology spaces at the start of the turn;
• wherein each player obtains intellectual property markers during the game on predetermined conditions for placement on the one or more existing technology spaces for creating intellectual property rights on the one or more technology spaces;
• wherein resolution of a dispute regarding an intellectual property right between the players arising from a movement of product markers of one player into a technology space of another player having intellectual property rights in that technology space includes a resolution mechanism;
• and
• wherein the player at the end of the game whose market value from all product markers and intellectual property markers on the game board is the greatest is the winner of the game.