Game Development Community

Copyright and Patents...

by Tom Muchouski · in General Discussion · 10/15/2002 (2:38 am) · 2 replies

Ok... we have three guys in our small (yet powerful) company, but we need to patent our game idea for sales to start. Any idea how much this costs (Australian) and how to go about it?

Plus, what's the difference between patent and copyright?
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Torque Owner Edward Smith
Silencersoft
#1
10/15/2002 (3:28 am)
patent? I don't think you can patent an idea... patents are usually for medical stuff and inventions. Please corrent me if I'm wrong. And Copy Right is just so people can't get your work and sell it as theres. I'm sorry I'm not sure about prices. And some thing tells me its free to put copy right on stuff because its your work... but mmm... ah not sure sorry.

Australian I see, I am also. <--- just thought I would say.

Torque 3D Owner Gareth Davies
#2
10/15/2002 (3:50 am)
Patents need a physical elements to them, however there's been so many dumbass patents granted that theres no doubt ways round that if you get a good lawyer (or whatever patent people are called). Software techniques and algorithms can be patented though...

Generally though any dodgey patents aren't enforceable, but most people avoid them because of the massive amounts of money it costs to prove either way.

Probably worth investigating further for wherever you live, here we have 'inventor' firms that take ideas and patent them for you for a cut of the profits. These provide a 'free' evaluation service to work out if it's patentable / profitable.