Andrew Bailey wrote: > Gametech wrote: >>> Umm the computer gaming industry? You mean like Sony Playstation? As >>> in mod chips infringe our copyright? I take your word for the fact >>> that patenting in gaming design is uncommon. But I suspect copyright >>> is enforced. As an experiment start burning games to CD and floging >>> them on the internet and see how long it is till you get a visit >>> from some lawyers. Trust me if you spent 3 years writing a game and >>> then some punk started making there own copies and flogging them at >>> three quarters of the price openly you might think that copyright >>> was a useful set of laws. >>> >> >> Actually I'm talking about 'Games' not the sub category of them being >> 'Video' There is content in video games that is often copyrighted, >> like the images, and the soundtrack. The 'idea' behind the game >> isn't patentable. Case in point popular games spur many similar >> titles, of which unless they are 'enough different' will flop. >> > > Hence we come to the difference between Copyright and Patents. > All games will be copyrighted and probably trade marked. > And if you were to infringe that most companies will come after you > with a big stick. Patents in the gaming industry I don't know about, > so I will take your word for it. > > On of the more interesting things in the gaming industries with > respect to intellectual property is the Open Gaming License WOTC are > using for 3rd edition D&D. I have heard that it is a great money > spinner for them, and a case in point of how you can have your cake > and eat it too:) Maybe they just want to become the Microsoft of > roleplaying games? > > Andrew. Wotc is one of the few table top game companies that has a patent, they have patented the idea of a 'collectible card game' Which clearly is assinine, children made a game of trading cards long before obsure rules were added to the mix.