Hi everyone, how do you copy write a game so no one can do horribl stuff like sell it or copy the idea. Can you just use a contract or some thing.
Reply Quickly. thanks.
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Hi everyone, how do you copy write a game so no one can do horribl stuff like sell it or copy the idea. Can you just use a contract or some thing.
Reply Quickly. thanks.
The moment you make the game, it's yours. Nobody can sell it without your permission, but nobody can guarantee that the idea won't be stolen.
What Ravenius said is true... see
http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl108.html
Ideas can not be copyrighted. Graphics and play can.
Someone could, and get away with it if you can't prove that you made it first.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ravenius
Getting an actual copyright protects you alot more than just saying you made it and slapping a (C) symbol on the disc.
You can also sue and claim damages with an actual copyright.
Also, ideas cannot be copyrighted.
If you have the source and don't spread it around, I can't see how anybody else can sell your game. If they do and you've got the source, it's easy to prove you made it.
The easiest thing to do is simply have proof that you have the original copy of whatever it is. I read something a while back saying that a parcel posted by Royal Mail (assuming it's the same in the US) is an official way of dating something as long as you DON'T open it. So just mail a copy on a CD to yourself and it's proof you have the original copy!
It was established in the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works that copyright is automatic, and pretty much all countries now go by this system. Prior to signing up in 1989 the US stipulated that you had to have a copyright notice, but this is no longer required (but still recommended as it makes it harder for people to claim "innocent infringement"). Of course there is a difference between having copyright and being able to prove it.
Correct. The way it works is that:Quote:
Originally Posted by nivram
1. Copyright covers copying creative works (in some places and in some cases 'fair use' is a valid defence).
2. Trademarks cover using names.
3. Patents cover non-trivial processes.
4. Trade dress covers copying a product look.
5. Protected designation of origin and other geographical indication laws cover using regional names to describe food products (in the EU).
Patents and copyright are monopolies provided by the state for a limited period in order to encourage the creation of creative works, as well as rewarding innovation and encouraging information sharing. The rest are all about company brands and not misleading consumers.
I made it a point to put "THIS GAME IS FREEWARE" in the intro of Bonesaw to make sure it didn't end up on some CD on eBay.
The copyright office website has everything you'll ever need to know and every form you'll ever need to fill out. I copyrighted a board game about a month ago. Just head to their website to find out what you need to do.
http://www.copyright.gov/