How do I protect my game?

The best way of doing this is to register for federal trademark protection with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). By following the USPTO's online guide to trademark registration, you will see that you can register the name of products (such as a game).

How do you legally protect a game?

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.

Do I need to copyright my game?

As soon as you publish a work in a fixed, tangible form, you are the copyright owner. You do not technically have to do anything, you are automatically granted copyright ownership (you might want to register your work anyway, and we'll get into why in a bit).

How do I trademark my game?

Trademarks. While board games do not qualify for trademarks from the USPTO in and of themselves, you can trademark the name, logo, or slogan that you use to identify and sell your game. For example, “MONOPOLY” is a registered trademark from Hasbro, covering a line of board games.

How much does it cost to copyright a game?

The game is automatically copyrighted (at no cost to you) the instant you've created it. You should register your business when you start making money or otherwise have to do anything official (like pay taxes).

How to STORE and PROTECT Your Video Games Collection! (Easy Access, UV and Dust Protected)

What are 5 things you can copyright in a game?

The computer code or other fixed medium is considered copyrightable, and the game's presentation can be copyrighted as a literary work or dramatic work, while elements like character design, art and sound and music can also be copyrighted.

How long do copyrights last on games?

As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years.

How do I protect my game from being copied?

The best way of doing this is to register for federal trademark protection with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). By following the USPTO's online guide to trademark registration, you will see that you can register the name of products (such as a game).

Can I sell my game idea to a company?

Inquire with the company first. Ask them if they want to hear your idea and offer to sign an NDA (nondisclosure agreement). If you're not interested in money or lawsuits, tell them in writing they can have your idea no strings attached if they want to use it. Don't just send the idea in unsolicited.

Can you put a patent on a 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.

Should you publish your own game?

If an indie developer or small studio is planning for a small or light release, then self-publishing may be the way to go. However, larger games could see more success through a dedicated publishing deal.

What cannot be copyrighted?

Copyright does not protect ideas, concepts, systems, or methods of doing something. You may express your ideas in writing or drawings and claim copyright in your description, but be aware that copyright will not protect the idea itself as revealed in your written or artistic work.

Do you need a license to publish a game?

Do you need a license to publish a game? You'll probably need a local business license (~$100 altogether up here in Roseville, CA; business license, fictitious name check, and home business fee). You may also need a Seller's Permit.

Can you get sued for leaking a game?

Taking Legal Action

Many developers will file lawsuits against leakers as a way to prevent leaks from happening and demonstrate that there are punishments for leaking confidential information.

How long does a trademark last?

Unlike patents and copyrights, trademarks do not expire after a set period of time. Trademarks will persist so long as the owner continues to use the trademark. Once the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), grants a registered trademark, the owner must continue to use the trademark in ordinary commerce.

Who owns the rights to a video game?

The developer usually owns the rights to the video game but, in some situations, the publisher may own some or all of the rights to the game. The developer can be a single person or a team of people working together, and may be a legal entity such as a limited liability company or corporation.

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

Can I sell my online game?

Where can I sell games online? You can sell games online from your own store built with a platform like Shopify, on third-party marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, on niche websites like Swappa and Decluttr, and on social media, and via wholesale.

Is it illegal to resell a game?

There's still nothing illegal about selling used video games, but in some states the steps you have to take to sell your old copies of Playstation, Xbox and Wii titles may make you feel like you've broken the law.

Does copyright protect games?

The Copyright Office factsheet on games explains exactly this: Copyright does not protect the idea for game, its name or title, or the method or methods for playing it. Nor does copyright protect any idea, system, method, device, or trademark material involved in developing, merchandising, or playing a game.

Do video games lose copyright?

Common questions about video game copyright

Similar to other kinds of copyrights, the duration of a video game copyright is the life of the author plus 70 years after his death. If the copyrighted material is created by more than one author, the copyright lasts for 70 years after the last surviving author's death.

Do I need to copyright my mobile game?

Once you confirm your ownership of all elements in a mobile game, register your copyright. Without copyright registration, you'll not have a legal basis to pursue damages for infringement should a former worker, independent contractor or competitor copy or develop your game or parts of it without your permission.

What are the 4 types of copyright?

Will Mickey Mouse be public domain?

On January 1, 2024, the Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse will become public domain. However, don't expect to see any horror movies based on him. Anyone coming close to the trademark or the copyright of the more modern version will be shut down instantly.

What happens when copyright runs out?

Once that period of time expires, or if the creator failed to comply with any legal formalities required at the time of creation or thereafter, the work enters the public domain - meaning it belongs to everyone, without restriction.