Idea protection? valid concern or silly idea

I like pie · 12-04-2005, 11:40 PM

i have this idea for an online game...

i'm not talking some fps or rpg game, i'm talking a simple browser-based multiplayer game along the same genre as planetarion or utopia... definately nothing that one person couldn't handle. i honestly think that what i have in mind is such a fun concept that i could have something great on my hands here if i really pour some energy into it

but i have some concerns regarding my experience in programming. i'm not that great with php, and i'm worried that somebody will come along, see a good concept, and re-create it using better code.

i don't mean to seem greedy, but i'd hate to put time and energy into something only to have somebody else come along, rip the idea and take credit and possibly even make profit off of my game idea. should i really be worried about this? or is trying to protect the concept and game design a bit silly for me to be thinking about, especially as how the game isn't even in beta yet

**John Scott** · 12-04-2005, 11:59 PM

Copyright it. Outline the idea on paper, and mail it to yourself. The postage stamp (time and date) serves as proof that you had the idea first.

**John Scott** · 12-05-2005, 12:00 AM

http://www.v7n.com/copyright-law.php

I like pie · 12-05-2005, 12:03 AM

well, i've heard of the self-mailing thing before, but i guess what i'm really asking is if it's within reason to claim ownership of a game design

i mean, it's not something as general as "a space game" or "a war game set in vietnam" but then again it's not really too specific yet either.

a patent seems way over the top, and i guess the copyright thing won't hurt. thanks for the response

**John Scott** · 12-05-2005, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I like pie

well, i've heard of the self-mailing thing before, but i guess what i'm really asking is if it's within reason to claim ownership of a game design

If it's unique, you can claim copyright.

yummybanas · 01-31-2006, 05:30 AM

If it's a brilliant idea, it's hard to copyright it. Look at that pixel kid. Adding "All rights reserved" didn't do him any good.

In all honesty, does copyright actually work?

Zap · 01-31-2006, 08:02 AM

You can copyright it, maybe even patent it. But the problem is that someone will "clone" a good idea, maybe not "copy" it.

So, someone will like your novel idea and get someone else to make a clone of it. As long as the programming is not identical, they can get away with it. You see this sort of thing on scriptlance all the time.

"I need a clone of EBay" or "I need a clone of Match.com".

As long as the programmer is not ripping off graphics or code, they're covered, legally. But, your average user is not going to know about code or copyright law. All they know is that you have a new competitor and their site is lots of fun too.

Bottom line is... If you have a great idea, someone will imitate it. Try to incorporate something into your idea that ONLY YOU can deliver. It will be much more difficult for copycats to come along and be successful with your idea. Good luck and GO FOR IT.

intruth · 01-31-2006, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Copyright it. Outline the idea on paper, and mail it to yourself. The postage stamp (time and date) serves as proof that you had the idea first.

Once done the above and you have it up and running.. Go here and tell the worlds beat webmasters....Then knowone can claim your invention or idea because those that care about the web will know who posted what 1st...

http://www.a1st.us/webmaster_forums.htm

yummybanas · 01-31-2006, 07:53 PM

So basically ...

1. Add your unique style to the brilliant "idea" (which will be cloned anyway).
2. Tell everyone on the web. You'll have the first comer advantage.

intruth · 01-31-2006, 09:35 PM

The postage stamp (time and date) serves as proof that you had the idea first.

Also posting the idea in forums are time dated and go straight to the people that might be the one's that would copy it... But if the idea is good and you post in webmaster forums {{{{ after you have it up and running }}}} chances are nobody will copy it due to the fact that all the other webmasters will know they are a thief...imo

littleFella · 02-20-2006, 10:37 PM

You can patent the rules of the game, which will prevent anybody (except the Chinese) from implementing the game even if they are much better programmers, and regardless of what programming language they use.

You can copyright a particular implementation of the game, decorative elements (figures, shapes, icons etc) and perhaps some elements of the source code. This is however a bit trickier as source codes may also involve patents on original implementation techniques.

As John Scot mentioned, self mailed envelope with the description of the patent will suffice, but not forever, I believe there is some time limit on "patent pending", and eventually you will need to register the patent. This can be pricey sometimes.

GeorgeB · 02-20-2006, 10:44 PM

I wouldn't sweat it....

Check out this post by ShoeMoney about this very thing.

I mean don't advertise instructions on how to copy your idea but don't sweat it if someone does.

I own a very large forum and a small forum in great niches that earn me a ridiculous amount per click via adsense. I never ever mention them in any forums I visit and very few people that I know even know I have anything to do with them.

Since you wont likely need a webmaster forum to promote your idea there is no need to ever mention specific details here.

So the longer it takes for a webmaster to figure it out the better off you'll be.

theChronic · 03-21-2006, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Once done the above and you have it up and running.. Go here and tell the worlds beat webmasters....Then knowone can claim your invention or idea because those that care about the web will know who posted what 1st...

http://www.a1st.us/webmaster_forums.htm

a little off topic, but how is webmaster world not included on that list?

Wing Chun · 04-23-2006, 04:55 AM

ideas are not copyrightable. they are intangible.

u can copyright an original, tangible, recordable piece of work, but anyone can use ur ideas to rival ur work.

designer007 · 04-26-2006, 05:31 AM

Somebody told me that in the case of pictures, if u made a slight change in the picture , you can use it without any copyright fear. Is it true ...?

MrSlave · 04-26-2006, 08:45 AM

This doesn't address copyrights but rather is my attempt to explain my view of the situation to the original poster. I hope it offers some incite beyond trying to get a copyright and keeping your idea from being cloned.

The world is full of great original ideas and thousands of copies/clones of those great original ideas. You have this great idea and want to keep it yours. That is unlikely unless you keep it locked in a safe buried where noone would find it.

If you make this great idea come about and materialize/digitalize so it is useable, someone will see it and want to make a clone, if it truly is a great idea. Now you have to ask yourself if you have what it takes to keep it great.

I run a business and I was not the original. I wouldn't call mine a clone but it still stemmed from the original. The original improved his business and others came along to create their own clone businesses. I knew that I had to stay on top if I wanted the customers/clients and you should be looking at it the same way. I started my business because it was very easy to improve upon the original. Adding more features for customers, better prices, higher service quality, and making sure to keep ahead of all the rest in pulling customers, I stand at the top. It is not about who first had the idea or who created the most recent clone. It is about appealing to your target audience (usually the customer/client) and making sure that you make your game more enticing to them than the clones are.

One that you may be familiar with is the traditional RPG, Dungeons and Dragons. It stays a pinnacle in the RPG world because it constantly adds and improves to the already great idea. D&D is a seasoned game but it still is known and clones are still created of it. It may not have been the first ever RPG but it was created and didn't stop at creation. Over the years it has grown to many times the content that it originally was, creating indirect spinoffs in different forms, including movies and computer games.

Almost everything that is at least a good idea gets cloned at least a few times. Sometimes the originals last but the #1 spot is almost always up for grabs, landing with the one with the best ideas to improve. Make your game and then make it better. Don't stop making it better until you are ready to give up and stop chasing the #1 spot. It might help some, once a clone comes out, if you look at it optimistically. That clone means that your idea was good and that someone else sees enough value to spend the time/money cloning. Let that first clone light a fire under you and get you pumped to keep your original as the best.

Good luck!

EDIT: I just wanted to add that if you have someone working on it with you or are having someone test it and you are worried about them taking the idea, look into getting a NDA (non-disclosure agreement). Commonly, mainstream games use them in closed Alpha testing. They are also a standard in businesses. Talk to a business attorney if you want to get one made up, or even just take a look at some law sites. There are at least a couple basic NDA's out there online that you could modify to fit your individual situation.

Wing Chun · 05-05-2006, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by designer007

Somebody told me that in the case of pictures, if u made a slight change in the picture , you can use it without any copyright fear. Is it true ...?

law is based on "reasonableness" therefore u could get sued for it one day, and get "unsued" the next when u make an appeal.... then get sued for a similar thing another time...etc ....there's always risk with copyright issues, even if it's only that some1 is lying and claiming that u stole their stuff!

krash · 05-20-2006, 05:20 AM

I did some looking around when I had an idea and had heard about the poor mans copyright. This is just one of the many sites that I found that explains that it does not work and will not hold up in a court of law. It can be faked too easily. Here is the site hope it sheds some light.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_man's_copyright

Krash