[Nel] Game Rules

Mon, 02 Jul 2001 11:42:42 -0400

x5101920@fedro.ugr.es wrote:
+> 
+> Mensaje citado por: John Cosby <jcosby@gscyclone.com>:
+> 
+> > I've been observing for a bit, and feel a need to jump in here.
+> >
+> > In many jurisdictions (America and England that I know of), the rules of
+> > a
+> > game cannot be copyrighted.  Specific presentation, game boards, pieces,
+> > etc. may by trademarked and copyrighted, but the rules that define
+> > gameplay
+> > cannot.
+> 
+> I am not a lawer... But you say "the rules of a game cannot be copyrighted."
+> Let's suppose that my computer is a game, k?
+> So my programs are the rule to play/use the game... so following that logic,
+> they can't be copyright, so all that EULA as just shit :)
+> 
+> I have heard that what you can copyright is the style of play, for example you
+> can copy right D&D, you can copyright the Critical Hit table, but you can't copy
+> right the method of throwing a dice to resolve action. :)
+> 
+> Anyway, with all that shit about patents, i think that you will be able to
+> patent it to. :-(
+
+You can patent a game rule set:
+
+http://164.195.100.11/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1='5,641,166'.WKU.&OS=PN/5,641,166&RS=PN/5,641,166
+http://164.195.100.11/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=2&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ft00&s1='board+game'&OS="board+game"&RS="board+game"
+
+You can also copyright the precise look of a critical hit table, and the
+wording of the hits, and the arrangement of them, but not the
+information therein. If the arrangement is the only logical one or
+otherwise doesn't involve creativity, then it is not copyrightable (see
+ALEXANDRIA DRAFTING CO V. FRANKLIN MAPS at
+http://www.paed.uscourts.gov/documents/opinions/97D0773P.HTM).
+
+In short, creative stuff (even slightly creative) is copyrightable. 
+Processes, etc. are patentable.  So, the code to implement critical hits
+is copyrightable, but if someone reverse engineers and reimplements it,
+the author has no recourse.
+
+
+Disclaimer: IANAL.  But I know more about copyright, patent, and
+trademark law than both of my parents put together.  And they are
+lawyers :)
+
+-- 
+-[Dave Turner                              Stalk me:  (215)-545-2859]
+---------------------------------------------------------------------
+Every day I dream that I'll log on to the channel or walk down the
+street or get a phone call and you'll be there.  We miss you, Pug.
+
+