How do you license or trademark your game?

News & General Discussion
1

How do I protect myself against people directly ripping off my game name or game implementations? I simply don’t want people to see my game and make an exact replica etc… I understand a lot of games are similar in many ways, but I’m under the impression that if you get too close to how another game is, you can be in some legal trouble.

It seems like there’s a grey area in there too, where maybe someone elses game will be similar to mine, but not quite.

Anyways, how does one seriously pursue a trademark/license for their game?

Actually, it sounds like I just need to “Copyright” it actually… can anyone confirm/deny?

2

Well as it stands in the UK right now, if you have the time stamped master copy of it and if you can prove all iterative works are yours you are for the most part “covered”.

Quote:

"

  • Film
    video footage, films, broadcasts and cable programmes.
  • The Copyright (Computer Programs) Regulations 1992 extended the rules covering literary works to include computer programs.
  • When rights occur
    Copyright is an automatic right and arises whenever an individual or company creates a work. To qualify, a work should be regarded as original, and exhibit a degree of labour, skill or judgement."

Found an overview website from the US as well:

"How do I obtain a copyright for my work? Do I need to register it formally? What can or can’t be protected by copyright?
While copyright law has changed throughout the years, the current laws dictate that simply by putting your work into a tangible medium, you have the copyright to that work. There is no need to register the work formally. If you think up a poem and write it on a napkin in a bar, you have the copyright to that poem. Congratulations! "

You can also apply to register, there are ways to register your work as well if you believe you need further protection. If in doubt contact a lawyer / solicitor.

3

Ya mine would be in the U.S. Thanks ShadowK. I think I’ll be registering it formally for Copyright protection in the U.S., but only when it gets closer to completion and I have a “completed work”.