Can I copyright a game concept?

The Copyright Office factsheet on games explains exactly this: Copyright does not protect the idea for game, its name or title, or the method or methods for playing it. Nor does copyright protect any idea, system, method, device, or trademark material involved in developing, merchandising, or playing a game.

Can I sell my video game idea?

As others here have implied, one does not sell a game idea. No one is interested in buying an idea for a game, because everyone has great game ideas. If you are a well-enough known game designer, then you might be able to sell a complete game design (that is, a game design document with hundreds of pages of detail).

How do you pitch a game idea?

7 Tips for Pitching a Video Game Idea

1. Do your research.
2. Tailor your pitch.
3. Refine your logline.
4. Provide the basics.
5. Make it engaging.
6. Provide examples.
7. Pitch from the perspective of the player.

Do you need to copyright video games?

Instead, video games are considered protected by copyright in their parts. The computer code or other fixed medium is considered copyrightable, and the game’s presentation can be copyrighted as a literary work or dramatic work, while elements like character design, art and sound and music can also be copyrighted.

Can I sell ideas to game companies?

Answer: It’s very very difficult to sell an idea in any industry and especially in the game industry. Unless the idea is something nobody has ever thought of and is obviously a winner it is unlikely you could find somebody interested in creating the product and giving you royalties. Also ideas are often too simple.

Should I make my game paid?

If your game is really great, make it a paid version. However I advice, keeping some features unlocked for the paid version. Also, if you do ads and put the game up for free, make sure the ads do not pester the user too much. The ad-pester must hit a FINE BALANCE to get maximum success with your app.

How do you submit ideas to game companies?

Now, if you do want to get your idea made into a game, there are a few things you can do:

1. Inquire with the company first. Ask them if they want to hear your idea and offer to sign an NDA (nondisclosure agreement).
2. Get a job at a game company.
3. Get a team together and make the game yourself.

Can you make your own copyright?

To register your copyright, you need to go to the eCO Online System, create an account, and then fill out the online form. There’s a basic fee of $35 if you file online. The processing times are generally faster if you apply online, but eFiling still takes between three and four months, according to Copyright.gov.

How do you copyright a video game?

Technically you automatically own the copyright to any original work, including a video game, as soon as it’s published in a fixed, tangible (which includes digital, now) form. The day you make your game available to the public, the day you own the copyright. But, for extra protection, you need to register your work with the US copyright office.

What is the difference between a game design copyright and patent?

Game design copyrights differ from a patent in the fact that they protect the actual expression of your idea. For example, if Tic-Tac-Toe is patented using X’s and O’s, you could still create a game using apples and oranges because the expression of the idea is different.

Is it legal to copy a video game character?

However, your artwork only has copyright protection insofar as no one can just closely duplicate it. For example, if a video game has a princess and she looks like Princess Toadstool, that could be in violation of Nintendo’s copyright (unless the game obtained a license or had a good fair use reason to use the character).

Can You copyright a video game Princess?

If your princess was of your own creation, then you should be fine. Similarly, certain artwork in video games falls under the doctrine of scenes a faire. This references particular artwork and elements of a video game that are necessary to execute a particular idea and are NOT copyrightable.