![]() The idea is that if you see anything called a PlayStation in a store, you know it's either a legitimate Sony product, or it's an illegal fake and Sony has the right (and to some extent the obligation) to pursue legal action to protect that trademark. It's not an artistic work protected by copyright, so to protect the name, Sony registered the trademark. I can't just put out a game console called PlayStation, because that's a trademark of Sony's. According to Wikipedia, it originated when bakers were required to uniquely label their bread products so people would know where they came from. Trademark mostly just protects symbols and names for the sake of verifying authenticity. without changing enough to be considered a distinct work. Copyright does not protect your ideas, but neither does trademark, so somebody could make a similar game, they just couldn't straight up copy your title, fictional world, characters, etc. I don't think there's much that trademark would protect in addition to copyright. Copyright typically lasts well beyond the author's death (or if there's not a single author, such a work by a corporation, at least many years) and heavily restricts derivative works. I am not a lawyer, so there's that, but my understanding is that there's virtually no point to proactively trademarking the name of your game before release, because it should already be protected by copyright. And it will even show what category it is in. Trademarks are more to protect an existing entity than it is to reserve a name.Įdit: there should be a website you can look at, for free, to see if anyone is using it currently. I'm sure you could find a lawyer to pay a reasonable sum to defend it, maybe even might do it for a percentage of a counter lawsuit.Īlso another thing, even if you file a trademark it doesn't mean you're bulletproof, if someone comes along after you and uses the trademark first in a practical way and actually makes it first to market, you might have to fight for it and even have a chance to lose it. With the way IP is being gobbled up nowadays, it's not a bad idea if your ready to take the next step.Īlso I'd like to add, trademarks aren't just for the obscenely wealthy that can go toe to toe with a giant corporation. If you have a couple hundred bucks to drop each year on it, and you have a catchy name/logo you don't want someone snatching up, go for it. There is a finite amount if times you can refile. Then you have to refile an extension every year or so to retain the rights until there is a tangible product. You apply, then you wait for a period in case someone wants to challenge it, then you are approved. I don't know Canadian law, but if it's anything like US law it's pretty simple. Feedback Friday Screenshot Saturday Soundtrack Sunday Marketing Monday WIP Wednesday Daily Discussion Quarterly Showcase Related communities 1 ![]() For questions, get in touch with mods, we're happy to help you. Free assets OK, be sure to specify license. If you need to use screenshots, that's ok so long as is illustrates your issues.ĭo not solicit employment. Use discord, /r/indiegames, /r/playmygame or /r/gamedevscreens.īe specific about your question. Feedback, praise, WIP, screenshots, kickstarters, blogs, memes, "play my game", twitch streams.
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