Copyright isn't purchased, it automatically arises with the expression of an idea.
You should include a "Copyright, 2010" image to show that you are asserting your right.

Your copyright does not have to be stated with an image. It can be in text form without being an image file.
When you say you want to copyright the "game," what do you mean exactly?

Quote:Original post by ThinkTank
I am wondering if I have to register a copyright for my iphone application AND register a copyright for my game design doc

What's the point of copyrighting the design doc? All you're copyrighting is the text (the wording) in the design doc. Besides, you already own the copyright in that, by default.
I recommend you do more reading on copyrights -- like the Nolo Press book I listed in my FAQ 8.
You don't HAVE to register a copyright, but it does become important if a legal challenge comes up.
But by all means, download the copyright application form from the gov site, and fill it out, see how that goes. Mainly for the app (in which your copyright notice should be clearly stated), but I guess also for the design doc, if you really want.

[Edited by - Tom Sloper on December 9, 2010 12:36:44 AM]

Excuse me for a bit off-topic question, but reading this discussion a question came to my mind:

Does copyright have to be stated at all or in such a manner? Do I have to include "Copyright" text in any place of the game? Or is it enough if EULA directly states, that users may not copy, modify, etc.?

After reading this whole disscussion one thing comes to my mind is

"If as a developer we are showing our Game Idea in the form of a small playable demo or video, what we can do to ensure that Company doesn't reject us and make a game out of it later on their own ? "

Edit : Do we need to make a Game Design Doc and purchase a Copyright for it ?
Or is there any other way ???

(Dunno if it's related or complete different question. My knowlage is zero when it comes to legal stuff like copyright,etc)

Quote:
If as a developer we are showing our Game Idea in the form of a small playable demo or video, what we can do to ensure that Company doesn't reject us and make a game out of it later on their own ?

It depends on what you mean by "make a game of it". You cannot copyright the abstract game rules, but you you might be able to show that their game is a derived work if it is too close to yours.

Taking Mario as an example, I don't believe you could claim copyright on any platformer games with enemies you can jump on. You could have a case if an infringer has a little plumber as the main character, or if the world was all stars and mushrooms, etc.

Note that a game company might reject you out of hand (that is, without even looking at your project) for precisely the reason you are afraid of! They might have a project in the works similar to yours in some fashion. By examining your work, you might be able to make a legal claim against them later. Legally, it is safer for companies to ignore you completely, they have their own talented game designers who have plenty of ideas. A publisher might be more receptive, as they are not in the business of creating the games.

It is unclear what kind of companies you plan to approach.

Quote:
Does copyright have to be stated at all or in such a manner? Do I have to include "Copyright" text in any place of the game? Or is it enough if EULA directly states, that users may not copy, modify, etc.?

Copyright is implicitly applied to all works, unless you can find something stating otherwise. However, my understanding is that unless you register your copyright, you can only legally send cease & desist to an infringer. If you register, then you can get damages.


Copyright is a bit of a legal minefield for us non lawyers. I am certainly not a lawyer, so don't make any business plans around anything I've said. If you are serious about taking your game to a company, book some time with a lawyer now rather than regret it later.

Have any of you question askers tried reading the FAQ? There's a tiny link atop this thread labeled "View Forum FAQ." It's strongly recommended that the FAQ be read as the first step whenever you have a question in mind.