Management of virtual universe item returns

A system for managing a non-depleting virtual item return in a virtual universe, comprising:

• a system for initiating a return of the virtual item by a user in the virtual universe;
• a system for granting control of the return of the virtual item to a return agency, the return agency validating a condition of the virtual item and submitting a return request on behalf of the user to a vendor in the virtual universe associated with the virtual item, wherein the validating of the condition includes determining whether the virtual item has been duplicated or altered, and the return request includes an indication of the condition of the virtual item;
• a system for sending instructions to the user to disable the virtual item, upon approval of the return request by the vendor in the virtual universe, wherein approval of the return request is based on the condition of the virtual item meeting vendor defined requirements;
• and
• a system for crediting the user for the return, upon confirmation of the disabling of the virtual item by the user.

A program product stored on a computer readable medium, which when executed, manages a non-depleting virtual item return in a virtual universe, the computer readable medium comprising program code for:

• initiating a return of the virtual item by a user in the virtual universe;
• granting control of the return of the virtual item to a return agency, the return agency validating a condition of the virtual item and submitting a return request on behalf of the user to a vendor in the virtual universe associated with the virtual item, wherein the validating of the condition includes determining whether the virtual item has been duplicated or altered, and the return request includes an indication of the condition of the virtual item;
• sending instructions to the user to disable the virtual item, upon approval of the return request by the vendor in the virtual universe,
• wherein approval of the return request is based on the condition of the virtual item meeting vendor defined requirements;
• and
• crediting the user for the return, upon confirmation of the disabling of the virtual item by the user.

A method for deploying an application for managing a virtual item return in a virtual universe, the method comprising:

• providing a computer infrastructure being operable to:
• initiate a return of the virtual item by a user in the virtual universe;
• grant control of the return of the virtual item to a return agency, the return agency validating a condition of the virtual item and submitting a return request on behalf of the user to a vendor in the virtual universe associated with the virtual item, wherein the validating of the condition includes determining whether the virtual item has been duplicated or altered, and the return request includes an indication of the condition of the virtual item;
• send instructions to the user to disable the virtual item, upon approval of the return request by the vendor in the virtual universe, wherein approval of the return request is based on the condition of the virtual item meeting vendor defined requirements;
• and
• credit the user for the return, upon confirmation of the disabling of the virtual item by the user.