Has anyone out there ever patented, or copyrighted a game that they invented?

Question

I invented a pretty unique game, and wish to put it out on the market. Does anyone know the best way for me to do that?

Answer 1

Three ways to do it Mohar depending on how much you want to spend, you can take a copyright on either the name or the board design and also design right in the gameplay and copyright  in the board images you create. One of the cheap ways to do this is to sit down and write everything you can about the game , when you thought of it and how you came to think about it, put it in a brown envelope and post it to yourself, (update this every six months if it changes over time) then take the envelope and put it either in your bank (they will take a small charge for this) or give it to your lawyer to look after it. The next simple thing you can do is try to take out a URL (ie a .com or .net if you can) say the game is called “everlander” if the URl is taken take “evrrlanderthegame” this will also produce a document for you that will show when you created it. If you think you have a potential hit on your hands consider going to the USPT (united States Patent and trademark web site) and lodging either your design or your trademarks. You can do this as “an intent to use” but it will cost you money and you will need to renew this every year until you file the trademark as “used in interstate commerce”. (you will need to show you have made the game and are selling it!).  a patent is unlikely to be granted for a game because it is basically a method for showing something that is “not obvious to those skilled in the art”. (HOT TIP) Once you have your game concept finalised consider taking out your trade mark in the UK first, you don’t need to show use in interstate commerce and you will get a priority date for the USA when you goto file. Finally learn from others mistakes look up the history of Cluedo… the toy companies made a lot of money out of it, sadly the inventor got nothing,… find out why! Look up the history of UNO. This is a masterclass lesson in how to get your game marketed and sold. Large companies tend not to take game submissions from individuals. An established  product champion  or toy expert is your best first point of call. (HOT TIP) good agents don’t charge you fees up front! and finally find the balance between protecting your idea and getting it to market. Get a good protype made up, learn about what an NON Disclosure agreement is (free on the net if you look!) and get streetsmart about knowing when to use it!