If you’re wondering how to patent a game, the first thing you need to know is that
you can’t patent a game idea
, just like you cannot copyright an idea for a book. Some gaming developers, both the computer and board games inventors, have made significant income from their inventions, but it’s not necessarily the norm.
How do I protect my game idea?
Patents
are registered through the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Basically, a patent is designed to protect your idea/invention from being copied. During development, a patent ensures no one can take your idea and use it as their own. Registered copyrights are another form of legal protection.
Can you copyright a game concept?
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.
Are board game concepts copyrighted?
Are board games copyrighted or patented?
Many board games are protected by copyright and patents
. Copyright can protect the text and images used in a board game such as the rules and the board design. Patents protect how the mechanics of the game interact with the components.
Can a concept be copyrighted?
How do I protect my idea?
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.
Can I sell a game idea?
Contact the research and development department of a company
to which you’re interested in pitching the game idea to see if it accepts submissions. This is more likely to happen with smaller game companies than larger ones; however, remember that smaller companies lack the resources of larger companies.
How much money can you make inventing a board game?
So, how much do board game designers make? 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.
Should I trademark or copyright my game?
Ideally,
you should file your trademark registration before the game is released
. That way, your game has maximum protection against clones and other issues that may arise. In fact, you can trademark your game title up to three years before your game is even released.
Is Catan copyrighted?
Settlers of Catan is
probably protected by copyright
. Importantly, that protection does not cover the entirety of the game. Instead, copyright protects the design on the game tiles.
What are the 3 elements of a copyright law?
There are three basic requirements for copyright protection: that which is
to be protected must be a work of authorship; it must be original; and it must be fixed in a tangible medium of expression
.
How do you protect an idea or concept?
Only intellectual protection tools such as
patents, designs or models, trademarks or copyrights
can protect the materialization of an idea. The idea cannot be protected as such, but the means leading to this idea can be protected. Furthermore, the protection tools can be combined.
Can we copyright an idea?
How do I protect my idea?
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.
How do I sell my idea to a gaming company?
- Inquire with the company first. Ask them if they want to hear your idea and offer to sign an NDA (nondisclosure agreement). …
- Get a job at a game company. …
- Get a team together and make the game yourself.
Can you send game ideas to companies?
When you come up with an idea of your own, you need to know what game developers want and how they make games. You may find that some companies accept ideas from
outsiders
, while others work only in-house. … Fine tune your idea and turn it into a fleshed out game scenario.
What do you do if you have a game idea?
- Do your research. …
- Tailor your pitch. …
- Refine your logline. …
- Provide the basics. …
- Make it engaging. …
- Provide examples. …
- Pitch from the perspective of the player.
