How do I protect my board game idea?

Trademarking a game name is the primary way to protect it. The best way to trademark a game name is to apply for a federally registered trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The USPTO registers trademarks, including game trademarks. Most game developers start by applying to trademark a game name.

What to do if you have an idea for a board game?

How do I protect my board game from being copied?

Trademark. A trademark can protect the name and other aspects of a board game. Trademarks serve to identify the source of a particular product or service and to distinguish the products of one seller from those of others in the marketplace.

Should I patent my board game idea?

Utility Patent – if you board game has some software/technology/function built-in, you may consider a utility patent filing. A Utility Patent will enable you to exclude others from making, selling, or using your patented technology for a period of 20 years. Average Price for a Utility Patent filing $5000-$6500.

Can you copyright a board game idea?

Yes, you can copyright the artistic aspects of a game such as a game board, game packaging, and playing cards. Names of games and gameplay are not eligible for copyright protection. Game names are protected by trademarks.

How to protect a board game idea! *Board Game design*

How much money can you make inventing a board game?

On average, board game designers make between $56,000-$113,000 a year. A board game designer with less than 1 year's experience makes between $42,000-$87,000. With 7-14 year's experience, a board game designer can expect to earn between $51,000-$113,000.

How much does it cost to patent a game?

For an individual, however, the costs will vary considerably depending on the complexity of the game, the number of claims, and the complexity of the invention. A simple invention can cost as little as $3,000, while a more complex invention can cost as much as $7000.

Where can I sell a board game idea?

Kickstarter and Gamefound are stronger than ever and they are there because of board games; and board games are going stronger because of them. Crowdfunding has become a standard in board game industry and you can find thousands of projects which are live and up on crowdfunding sites.

Is it possible to sell game ideas?

If you have been working on a game idea with a lot of potential, you may want to consider creating a pitch to sell your project. Pitching gives you an opportunity to sell the vision of your game to potential investors, team members, studios, and game journalists.

Can you get a patent on a board game?

A patent covers an “invention,” a broad category covering both physical objects and more abstract methods. Patents definitely cover processes, and since board games are at an innermost level processes for entertainment, they are eminently patentable, so long as they meet the general requirements for patentability.

How can I patent my idea for free?

The Patent Pro Bono Program attempts to match inventors with registered patent agents or patent attorneys. These practitioners volunteer their time without charging the inventor. However, the inventor still must pay all fees that are required by the USPTO; these cannot be paid by the practitioner.

What is the cheapest way to get a patent?

A provisional patent application is a cheaper option. However, a provisional patent application does not grant legal protection for the applicant's invention. Within 12 months of filing, the applicant must either convert the provisional application or file a non-provisional.

How much does it cost to copyright an idea?

How to Register for a Copyright. If you have a tangible creative expression, you can register it for a $15 fee through the U.S. Copyright Office. Remember, you do not need to register your copyright to receive protection for your creative expression.

How do I make my own board game or sell it?

Can you make a living making board games?

A successful board game business can make tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. If a game sells for $30 per copy, selling just 1,000 games would generate a revenue of $30,000. In some cases, businesses are much more successful than this. One board game raised over $12 million on Kickstarter.

Who is the richest board game?

Aim: To be the richest to travel around the world. When one of the players run out of money, the game is over. The winner will be the one with the most money and property. Players choose a coloured plane to represent themselves, and start out with a specific sum of money.

How do I file a poor man's patent?

The theory behind the “poor man's patent” is that, by describing your invention in writing and mailing that documentation to yourself in a sealed envelope via certified mail (or other proof-of-delivery mail), the sealed envelope and its contents could be used against others to establish the date that the invention was ...

What is the fastest way to patent an idea?

The easiest and most potent way to expedite examination is to use the USPTO's Prioritized Patent Examination Program (also known as "Track One"). Under the program, an applicant pays an extra fee (ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, depending on the applicant company's size).

Does a poor man's patent hold up in court?

With a “poor man's patent,” while it may be evidence of being the first to have a particular idea, it carries virtually no legal weight on its own.

What happens if you don't patent your idea?

If you hold a patent, you can charge a license fee when others use your product. But if you don't hold an issued patent, then you essentially have no legal ownership of your invention. While you could theoretically license and sell your invention based on your knowhow or expertise, that's a much harder sell.

Can you patent an idea alone?

The simple answer is no—you cannot patent an idea for an invention. The invention itself has to be produced or a patent application containing the invention must be filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Can I sell my idea as an invention?

If you happen to find a manufacturer that is interested in your invention, there are usually two options. You can sell your invention idea, or you can outright sell the invention itself for one large lump sum as compensation for your idea. The second option is to enter a licensing agreement.

Is it illegal to copy a board game?

There should not a problem as long as you don't copy any specific names, things or text since you cannot trademark or copyright gameplay & rules.

How do I sell my idea to a company?