Questions tagged [intellectual-property]

Any creative work or invention considered to be the property of its creator. Sometimes referred to as IP.

Intellectual property (IP) is any creative work or invention considered to be the property of its creator. Often, intellectual property rights are recognized and protected under the corresponding fields of law ().

Under intellectual property law, owners are granted certain exclusive rights, such as the ability to publish to various markets, license the manufacture and distribution of inventions, and sue in case of unlawful or deceptive copying.

Common types of intellectual property rights include , trademarks, , industrial design rights, and trade secrets.

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How closely can a game legally resemble another?

Most games build on other games' successes and many are downright clones. Where is the limit of imitation before legal issues come into play? Is it down to literary or graphic work like characters and storyline that cause legal problems, or can…
Fuu
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Can I remake a game I don't own any copyright to?

Can I remake a game I don't own any copyright to? There's a online browser game which I played 5 years ago. Some time ago, this game was shutdown because its developer went bankrupt. I want to re-make this game and provide it to Web again. Can I do…
Firezzard
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Must know legal issues when releasing a game?

Alright, some day in the far future I would love to independently release my own game. My question is, what is the minimum amount of familiarity I need with copyright law, software patents, and other forms of intellectual property in order to…
KlashnikovKid
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When should I talk to a lawyer about intellectual property for an indie team?

Let's say you have a team building a decent game and all is well technically and people-wise. You feel pretty sure you'll get to a product that can be sold. How does an indie studio (with good practices in this domain) typically manage the IP, esp.…
alphadogg
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Intellectual rights to game concepts

For a client I might be making a small puzzle game about getting a item out of a puzzle. The concept will strongly resemble this game : http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/355972089/Car_Park_Game_Brain_Teaser_IQ.html But will not be about cars or…
Nils Munch
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When do I copyright a game?

I don't know how to copyright a video game idea. I don't know if I should make a game document and get that copyrighted first or make the game then copyright it. The main gist is.. I am lost.
Clifford
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Safe to advertise without a trademark?

Alright, I'm currently thinking about registering my game with Steam's new Greenlight program. Only problem is I don't have a trademarked title yet and I read the government's registration process can take a little while. (and $$ I don't have at the…
KlashnikovKid
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How can we sell rights to our computer game

We have an indie team that created a game on PC using Unity. We created the game for a long time and everything was exciting. We just don't even have money for advertising. We had to borrow $100 for steam direct to release the game into early…
BCEBOLOD
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A game community equivalent to IMDb Pro?

Is there one resource that tracks and lists games in development, similar to what IMDb Pro does for films in development? MobyGames is good for post-mortem, who did what, but what about a resource that gives you intel on what games are in production?
ericuus
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Legal and IP considerations with publishers and playable prototypes

I'm almost ready to send a playable prototype of a game to a publisher. I've never worked with publishers. What legal or intellectual property issues should I consider at this stage (if any)? In this specific case the publisher is well known...…
MrDatabase
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Can I take pictures of things I own and use them in a game as art assets or is that an IP violation?

For example what if I take a picture of a Tonka truck, can I use that as an art asset? What if the toy is more generic?
Digital Powers
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Is a game based on a specific cellular automation a copyright infringement?

If one creates a game which is based on some cellular automation algorithm like Conway's Game of Life or Langton's Ants would that be a copyright infringement? Are such famous algorithms protected by intellectual property rights, or as long as they…
Wabbitseason
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Why is concept art not signed by the author?

I am a starting concept artist who would like to enter the gaming industry. I noticed that some AAA titles show their concept art with no artists signature (only a reference to game the game, such as for Star Wars The Old Republic: 2013 ALL RIGHTS…
Gerald
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What are the legal implications of creators streaming their development?

Is there any question of losing ownership of their work if people stream themselves coding? I can understand that streaming modeling, animations, and game design would be fine because even if you see someone do it it will take time to do, but what…
RandyA
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Using D&D maps as a reference for my indie game

I've been considering using existing D&D battle maps for a commercial indie game I'm developing. I will use them as reference: I will create the same layout with my own assets. I want to ensure that this practice is respectful to the original…
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