Re: digital version of classic board game

["Richard Schwarting" <aquarichy gmail com>]

Regarding patents, apparently board games can be patented in the US
and Canada (my country) and are done so prolifically.  I was also
curious about the patents on existing digital versions.  I have
encountered the advice before that it's better to not know whether a
patent exists.

Thanks a lot.

On Fri, May 9, 2008 at 10:52 AM, Jason D. Clinton <me jasonclinton com> wrote:
> On Fri, May 9, 2008 at 11:44 AM, Richard Schwarting <aquarichy gmail com>
> wrote:
>>
>> However, first I have some questions about Intellectual Property. I'm
>> hoping not to use any of the original trademarks associated with the
>> board game, not referencing the original rule book (beyond my
>> recollection of it from over 5 years back), and recreating the map,
>> but retaining the same layout.  There are already a few digital
>> versions of the board game, but none of them are very good.  I can't
>> see what IP issues I would hit, unless the recreated board and rules
>> would be an issue.
>
> The only vector that I see that might be a problem would be if the look of
> the board could be considered a trademark. For example, everyone knows a
> Monopoly board when they see it. But, even this would be a stretch has the
> makers of Monopoly have themselves diluted that trademark by making no end
> of Monopoly-named variants that look nothing like the original.
>
> Unless the USPTO has suddently decided to write themselves new authority
> (again), I don't believe that it is possible to patent a set of game rules.
>
>>
>>   Does anyone know anything off the top of their
>> head that I should concern myself with, or be willing to hear a bit
>> more about this particular situation?
>
> I think you're staying away from the worst things.
>
>