Inventory item expiration and renewal in a virtual universe

1. A method for dynamically managing non-static items in an inventory in a virtual universe, comprising:

providing, using at least one computer device, at least one non-static item in the inventory of an avatar with metadata specifying that the non-static item must be renewed and the frequency of renewal, wherein the avatar is a graphical representation of a humanoid in the virtual universe, and wherein the non-static item is a virtual possession of the avatar;

obtaining instructions using the at least one computer hardware device regarding a renewal of the non-static item, wherein the non-static item is registered with a source of the non-static item and the non-static item contacts the source to obtain the instructions, wherein the source is a supplier/manufacturer within the virtual universe, wherein the virtual universe is an interactive simulated environment accessed by multiple users through an online interface;

sending a message regarding the renewal of the non-static item from the source to the non-static item; and

renewing the non-static item based on the instructions using at least one computer device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein obtaining instructions further comprises:

the source of the non-static item querying the non-static item to audit a usage of the non-static item.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

determining that the non-static item is being used in at least one of a prohibited area or a manner outside a term of use for the non-static item; and

providing the determination to the source of the non-static item.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

recommending additional items to the avatar in response to the audit.

5. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

charging the avatar for non-static item use in response to the audit.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein renewing the non-static item further comprises:

the avatar teleporting to a predetermined location in the virtual universe; and

renewing the non-static item at the predetermined location.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the predetermined location comprises at least one of: a purchase location in the virtual universe; a landmark of the source of the non-static item in the virtual universe; or a region or island in the virtual universe.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein renewing the non-static item further comprises:

paying a renewal fee.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a reminder regarding the renewal of the non-static item.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the reminder further comprises at least one of changing a graphical characteristic of the non-static item or sending a teleport invitation from the source of the non-static item to the avatar.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing non-static item renewal, update, and usage data for the non-static item.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the non-static item renewal, update, and usage data comprises at least one of: how often the non-static item has been used or removed from the inventory; all locations in which the non-static item has been used; any modifications made to the non-static item; or other items in the inventory that the non-static item has been used with.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the renewing includes:

notifying the avatar of a purchase requirement in response to an expiration of a trial period of a “try before you buy” offer.

14. A system comprising:

at least one computing device configured to dynamically manage non-static items in an inventory in a virtual universe by performing a method, comprising:

providing at least one non-static item in the inventory of an avatar with metadata specifying that the non-static item must be renewed and the frequency of renewal, wherein the avatar is a graphical representation of a humanoid in the virtual universe, and wherein the non-static item is a virtual possession of the avatar;

obtaining instructions using the at least one computer hardware device regarding a renewal of the non-static item, wherein the non-static item is registered with a source of the non-static item and the non-static item contacts the source to obtain the instructions, wherein the source is a supplier/manufacturer within the virtual universe, wherein the virtual universe is an interactive simulated environment accessed by multiple users through an online interface;

sending a message regarding the renewal of the non-static item from the source to the non-static item; and

renewing the non-static item based on the instructions.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the obtaining instructions further comprises:

querying the non-static item to audit a usage of the non-static item.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the renewing the non-static item further comprises:

teleporting the avatar to a predetermined location in the virtual universe; and

renewing the non-static item at the predetermined location;

wherein the predetermined location comprises at least one of: a purchase location in the virtual universe; a landmark of the source of the non-static item in the virtual universe; or a region or island in the virtual universe.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the renewing the non-static item further comprises:

paying a renewal fee.

18. The system of claim 14 , the method further comprising:

providing a reminder regarding the renewal of the non-static item.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the reminder further comprises at least one: of changing a graphical characteristic of the non-static item; or sending a teleport invitation from the source of the non-static item to the avatar.

20. The system of claim 14 , the method further comprising:

providing non-static item renewal, update, and usage data for the non-static item.

21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the non-static item renewal, update, and usage data comprises at least one of: how often the non-static item has been used or removed from the inventory; all locations in which the non-static item has been used; any modifications made to the non-static item; or other items in the inventory that the non-static item has been used with.

22. A program product stored on a computer readable storage medium, which when executed, dynamically manages non-static items in an inventory in a virtual universe, the computer readable storage medium comprising program code for:

providing at least one non-static item in the inventory of an avatar with metadata specifying that the non-static item must be renewed and the frequency of renewal, wherein the avatar is a graphical representation of a humanoid in the virtual universe, and wherein the non-static item is a virtual possession of the avatar;

obtaining instructions using the at least one computer hardware device regarding a renewal of the non-static item, wherein the non-static item is registered with a source of the non-static item and the non-static item contacts the source to obtain the instructions, wherein the source is a supplier/manufacturer within the virtual universe, wherein the virtual universe is an interactive simulated environment accessed by multiple users through an online interface;

sending a message regarding the renewal of the non-static item from the source to the non-static item; and

renewing the non-static item based on the instructions.

23. A method for deploying an application for dynamically managing non-static items in an inventory in a virtual universe, comprising:

providing a computer infrastructure including at least one computer device configured for:

providing at least one non-static item in the inventory of an avatar with metadata specifying that the non-static item must be renewed and the frequency of renewal, wherein the avatar is a graphical representation of a humanoid in the virtual universe, and wherein the non-static item is a virtual possession of the avatar;

obtaining instructions using the at least one computer hardware device regarding a renewal of the non-static item, wherein the non-static item is registered with a source of the non-static item and the non-static item contacts the source to obtain the instructions, wherein the source is a supplier/manufacturer within the virtual universe, wherein the virtual universe is an interactive simulated environment accessed by multiple users through an online interface;

sending a message regarding the renewal of the non-static item from the source to the non-static item; and

renewing the non-static item based on the instructions.