8 replies to this topic

[99g9man]

Hi!

Recently, just for a training I made a html5 air traffic control game ( there is an airport, there are some planes, you click on them and draw a path to the runway).

All code, graphics and levels are made by myself, but I'm wondering if I could sell this game, because gameplay is based on popular games of this type. From what I found on the internet I could sell it, but I would like to ask you what do you think.

Thank you for any advice.

PS I'm from the European Union.

[Ashaman73]

because gameplay is based on popular games of this type.

What is based on ? A 1:1 clone ? To some degree most games are clones of other games, but are seldom 1:1 copies with just other art. At least in the latter case I would contact a lawyer.

[99g9man]

No, it is not a 1:1 clone, but some elements are similar - like planes are sorted by color ( plane with a purple color must land on a purlple runway etc. ), planes became red if they are about to collide and things like that. As i think, it is hard to make a very different game with this kind of a gameplay.

[Hodgman]

Ideas are covered by patents, not copyright.

So, assuming the gameplay of flight-control isn't patented (which I assume it isn't, going by the number of clones out there), then you're ok... as long as you've not copied their art, sounds, UI, etc, which are protected by copyright.

[Tom Sloper]

I could sell it, but I would like to ask you what do you think.

What we think is not as important as what your lawyer thinks.
If you're going into business, you need a lawyer's advice.

[99g9man]

I did some additional research and it appears that there are several games of this type at android market (both: free and not free) and even a PS3 game, so I think that patents are not a problem.

[Stormynature]

I did some additional research and it appears that there are several games of this type at android market (both: free and not free) and even a PS3 game, so I think that patents are not a problem.

What you must understand is this basic set of points.

• The research you do (while possibly educational and informative to yourself) is highly unlikely to cover all relevant legal areas associated with your post.

• The advice you receive through this forum (while possibly educational and informative to yourself) is highly unlikely to cover all legal areas associated with your post.

• The advice you receive from (an appropriately skilled) lawyer is highly likely to cover to cover all legal areas associated with your post.

Of all three avenues mentioned above, the only one that really does enable you a legal fallback in the event of bad advice given is that given by a lawyer.

[99g9man]

I did some additional research and it appears that there are several games of this type at android market (both: free and not free) and even a PS3 game, so I think that patents are not a problem.

What you must understand is this basic set of points.

• The research you do (while possibly educational and informative to yourself) is highly unlikely to cover all relevant legal areas associated with your post.

• The advice you receive through this forum (while possibly educational and informative to yourself) is highly unlikely to cover all legal areas associated with your post.

• The advice you receive from (an appropriately skilled) lawyer is highly likely to cover to cover all legal areas associated with your post.

Of all three avenues mentioned above, the only one that really does enable you a legal fallback in the event of bad advice given is that given by a lawyer.

Yes, now I understand that visiting a lawyer is the best way to make sure that selling this particular game is legal.

Anyway, all posts were "educational and informative to myself", so thank you all for responses!

[Tom Sloper]

Yes, now I understand that visiting a lawyer is the best way to make sure that selling this particular game is legal.

http://www.obscure.co.uk/directory/directory-legal/