Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!jarthur!usc!apple!rutgers!mcnc!rti!dg-rtp!ellerbe!poirier
From: poirier@ellerbe.rtp.dg.com (Charles Poirier)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Tetris Clones
Summary: Board game clones?
Message-ID: <1990Jun15.010843.23620@dg-rtp.dg.com>
Date: 15 Jun 90 01:08:43 GMT
References: <9006131950.AA17221@cwns9.INS.CWRU.Edu>
Sender: usenet@dg-rtp.dg.com (Usenet Administration)
Reply-To: poirier@dg-rtp.dg.com (  Poirier local)
Organization: Data General Corporation. RTP, NC.
Lines: 20

In article <9006131950.AA17221@cwns9.INS.CWRU.Edu> ab980@cleveland.Freenet.Edu writes:
>
>While all the fighting is going on about Tetris clones, this raises the
>question of whether it is legal to convert Arcade games ...

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?

	Cheers,
	Charles Poirier   poirier@dg-rtp.dg.com