Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!pollux.usc.edu!papa
From: papa@pollux.usc.edu (Marco Papa)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Tetris Clones
Message-ID: <25309@usc.edu>
Date: 15 Jun 90 05:14:51 GMT
References: <9006131950.AA17221@cwns9.INS.CWRU.Edu> <1990Jun15.010843.23620@dg-rtp.dg.com>
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In article <1990Jun15.010843.23620@dg-rtp.dg.com> poirier@dg-rtp.dg.com (  Poirier local) writes:
>For that matter -- what about adapting an existing *board* game to a computer
>format?  Assume no trademark violation, a redrawn though logically
>identical board, and rewritten though logically identical rules.  And
>assume no patent has been issued.  Fair game, or what?  There can't, at least,
>be any claim of "audio-visual work" copyright violation in such a case.
>Anyone know of a good example / precedent?
>
<>I realize folks have gotten in trouble before for unauthorized computerization
>of board games, but the only examples I can think of were egregious trademark
>violations as well as copyright violations (of artwork).  Could one carefully
>avoid these pitfalls and legally duplicate the full functionality of the
>game (plus extra stuff like automated opponents and player aids)?  Marco?

Hey, gee I'm no lawyer :-)  Anyway, copying the "functionality" of a game is
fair game :-)  If you start with the above assumptions that you want to avoid 
trademark violation (by changing the name to something COMPLETELY different),
that you want to avoid "visual copyright" infringment, by redrawing the 
board SUBSTANTIALLY different, while mantaining a similar set of rules (which
are ideas and not copyrightable and unlikely patented), you should be OK.

I'm glad to see that as a result of the discussion, quite a number of people
have finally decided that it might be better to use one's originality a little
bit more.  Remember that if you do that it will really be YOUR game, then.

-- Marco
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"Xerox sues somebody for copying?" -- David Letterman
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