

all 4 comments

[–]mdelally 6 points7 points  (0 children)


You can only trademark or register a brand. You could essentially trademark the name of the game, but that would not protect the gameplay. Ultimately, I would consult a copyright/patent lawyer because stuff like this tends to have a lot of gray areas. As far as 'ownership' goes, U.S. Copyright pretty much starts the second you have something made. If a copyright comes under dispute its a whole different ball game - but if you're indeed the original author then there is no need to worry as you'll be able to prove it in an infringement case.

Edit: This section from the Copyright Act should illuminate some things:

Section 102


(1) literary works;

(2) musical works, including any accompanying words;

(3) dramatic works, including any accompanying music;

(4) pantomimes and choreographic works;

(5) pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works;

(6) motion pictures and other audiovisual works;

(7) sound recordings; and

(8) architectural works.


[–]Jeremy_Winn 4 points5 points  (0 children)


Just publish it online, and it's basically as copyrighted as it can be... Which is to say, not at all, but you can always point to your publication as proof.

[–]Saros421 2 points3 points  (0 children)


Create unique cards that mirror the 13 cards of 4 suits setup, copyright the game with "your" cards, publish the rules online as to how to play it with a normal deck of cards

[–]sunday_silence 1 point2 points  (0 children)


a trademark will not protect how the game is played, it will only protect the name of the game, or some other attribute (e.g. a color scheme) that indicates the "source" of a good. The source usually means a company that makes a product or provides a service.

A copyright is supposed to only protect the "artistic" elements of something, so it would not protect the rules to your game either. It would protect the artwork, e.g. a beautiful rendition of the queen of speeds Again, artistic stuff like drawings, paintings, poetry, music, stage plays..

A patent could help you. You would be well advised to do some basic research at the US patent office and see if such concept has been patented, with online data bases a lot of basic research can be done on your own, hiring someone to search may or may not be better use of your money. if on low budget I would do it myself.

As another person said: if you just want the credit and do not care about money (making money is very difficult even for a great design) then just publish the rules online. One place would be on Board Game Geek (BGG) as that place is huge, well visited and should be running for many years.

Adding a print and play version (where people can download game components for free) would help get more interest. Another way would be to enter it in one of many game competitions that go on. BGG is having a card game competition that I think ends in Aug. you could submit it there and at least it would get noticed.

Many of the other posts here are quite appropriate as well.