CONFIGURATION FOR AUTHENTICATING A VIRTUAL ITEM

A process generates a certificate of authenticity for a virtual item. Further, the process sends, with the processor, the certificate of authenticity to a decentralized network of computing devices such that two or more of the computing devices store the certificate of authenticity. The two or more of the computing devices receive, from a user device that provides a virtual reality experience in which a virtual item is purchased, a request for authentication of the certificate of authenticity. In addition, the two or more computing devices authenticate the certificate of authenticity based on one or more consistency criteria for the certificate of authenticity being met by the two or more computing devices.

BACKGROUND1. Field

This disclosure generally relates to the field of authentication. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a configuration for authenticating a virtual item.2. General Background

The authenticity of real-world collectors' items (e.g., paintings, sculptures, etc.) is typically established by documenting the ownership history of the item in question. Various forms of proof may be used to establish such ownership history, but are somewhat questionable in a real-world environment and are often far more difficult to obtain in a virtual environment. Further, in a virtual environment where electronic duplication is significantly faster than a real-world environment, authenticating an artist's work is even more difficult.SUMMARY

In one aspect, a computer program product comprises a non-transitory computer readable storage device having a computer readable program stored thereon. The computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to generate, with a processor, a certificate of authenticity for a virtual item. Further, the computer readable program when executed on the computer causes the computer to send, with the processor, the certificate of authenticity to a decentralized network of computing devices such that two or more of the computing devices store the certificate of authenticity, receive, from a user device that provides a virtual reality experience in which a virtual item is purchased, a request for authentic