legal side?
i have a question about when people make games.
lets say me or some other game dev noob decide to make a game. we have no experience but we're motivated to make a game. we do our research, make a dev team and we make a game.
is there legal things we should be worried about like licenses, taxs, rules regulation, do and donts things like that?
heres some example to be more clear
platform games like on the xbox360,ps3,psp or ds
online games like mmorpg games or simple miniclip games
and table games like monopoly or chess hasbro type games
what are legal things new people should be worried about if any?
You have very broad questions, and the law has lots of little details that the overly-wide focus of your queries are not going to allow us to focus on.
You should, basically, talk to a lawyer.
Moving to the Law forum.
You should, basically, talk to a lawyer.
Moving to the Law forum.
Using third party tools; Unreal, Unity, SpeedTree, AI Implant etc... The list goes on, may have costs associated that _may_ or _may not_ be free for the independent developers but cost money when it comes for commercial projects. As well as content; if you go to some audio site to download a music pack, read their fine print it should state whether it is available for commercial use either via licensing or other means.
If you are looking to make money off your project, then you will need to look into all these. Even if it is an independent, hobby-style for-fun project you will need to read on what you use. Some things have licenses that keep the free, others are free for personal/hobby projects while others aren't. it comes down to what you are using and their policy.
So, do your research on the development tools and content you use, from additional libraries to music and art content.
If you are looking to make money off your project, then you will need to look into all these. Even if it is an independent, hobby-style for-fun project you will need to read on what you use. Some things have licenses that keep the free, others are free for personal/hobby projects while others aren't. it comes down to what you are using and their policy.
So, do your research on the development tools and content you use, from additional libraries to music and art content.
If you are just starting out then I suggest you begin reading:
http://www.amazon.com/Business-Legal-Primer-Game-Development/dp/1584504927/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265742733&sr=8-1
It will be difficult for one forum post to cover all the legal issues that come up in game development. There are upstream issues (corporate formation, IP ownership, licensing) and downstream issues (distribution, infringement, taxes, etc.) to consider at every step of development. This book is a good start for the fundamentals that most start-up developers should be concerned about.
If you are in the US, they I'd recommend checking out the resources available at the local SBA for common business issues. Some programs offer funding and/or mentorship in guiding entrepreneurs just getting started.
Good luck with the new company!
http://www.amazon.com/Business-Legal-Primer-Game-Development/dp/1584504927/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265742733&sr=8-1
It will be difficult for one forum post to cover all the legal issues that come up in game development. There are upstream issues (corporate formation, IP ownership, licensing) and downstream issues (distribution, infringement, taxes, etc.) to consider at every step of development. This book is a good start for the fundamentals that most start-up developers should be concerned about.
If you are in the US, they I'd recommend checking out the resources available at the local SBA for common business issues. Some programs offer funding and/or mentorship in guiding entrepreneurs just getting started.
Good luck with the new company!
i never said i was going to make a company but that sounds like a good idea lol thanks for mentioning it
you said it would be difficult to cover everything so lets keep it simple for now
board games real simple and anyone can make one they can range from something simple like rolling sice and moving your piece on the board or they can be extremly complex
there might be some legal stuff if i want to make a board game and sell it. so lets start with this. what are some basic legal things, i would have to worry about. if i was going to make a board game and sell it.aside from cost and distribution.
you said it would be difficult to cover everything so lets keep it simple for now
board games real simple and anyone can make one they can range from something simple like rolling sice and moving your piece on the board or they can be extremly complex
there might be some legal stuff if i want to make a board game and sell it. so lets start with this. what are some basic legal things, i would have to worry about. if i was going to make a board game and sell it.aside from cost and distribution.
Quote:Original post by lookkool3
i never said i was going to make a company but that sounds like a good idea lol thanks for mentioning it
you said it would be difficult to cover everything so lets keep it simple for now
board games real simple and anyone can make one they can range from something simple like rolling sice and moving your piece on the board or they can be extremly complex
there might be some legal stuff if i want to make a board game and sell it. so lets start with this. what are some basic legal things, i would have to worry about. if i was going to make a board game and sell it.aside from cost and distribution.
A Very Bare Bones Breakdown:
1. Formation of your business entity (Co. or LLC);
2. Operating Agreement for your business entity;
3. Employment agreements or independent contractor agreements subject to NDA and non-compete during the term of game development;
4. Taxation of your business entity;
5. Patenting the mechanics or other non-obvious and novel processes of your game;
6. Manufacturing contract;
7. Distribution/Retail contract;
8. Registration of copyright for all sculptural and graphical elements of your game, and all literary components (rule book);
9. Registration of trademark in your game's brand
To name a few.
Quote:Original post by lookkool3
i never said i was going to make a company but that sounds like a good idea lol
...if i was going to make a board game and sell it.aside from cost and distribution.
You're going into business, then. That means you need to make a company.
The point of my post was that you are not asking a specific question so the probability of getting a useful answer approaches 0. I gave you a reference to study the fundamental legal issues, but there are numerous legal issues that may come up that can't be predicted(even in a simple board game) and I think that you should do some homework before requesting information ad nauseum Go to google. Type in board game copyright. Blamo! Informations galore. This forum is only useful in pointing you towards the answers, not giving you every conceivable resource to answer every question. Mona's list of issues is covered in the link I provided and you can even take those issues and run searches on this forum to get you started.
This topic is closed to new replies.
Advertisement
Popular Topics
Advertisement