What exactly am I copyrighting? :-)
by Lee Latham · in General Discussion · 05/05/2007 (10:04 pm) · 5 replies
So I'm reading the Copyright Office's documentation, and they want the first 25 and last 25 pages of the source code to my game. Never mind what "first" and "last" pages of C++ code might actually mean, the problem is that all of the source code to my game is copyrighted by Garagegames.
"Ok fine, Lee, just send in your script changes as the source code for your game," you say. But at most I've got _maybe_ 10 pages total of script I've done, most of it a few keystrokes within the stock (and already copyrighted) scripts. Plus, what little I've done that is 100% original is of trivial value to the overall copyright value of my game. I mean it's not hard to come up with a vehicle boost function on your own, and in any case we're talking copyright, not patent. More importantly, I would NEVER use that source code to identify a copyright violation, because that would not make any sense, at all.
Now don't get me wrong. I look at the result of many moons work and I have no trouble saying "that's mine and quite a legitimate thing to register the copyright for, if I wish." It's quite distinctive, in fact, IMHO:
www.singularityfps.com
But there is a ton of third party stuff in my game (the engine, the models, that's all), it's only the overall "thing" that I can truly call my own.
What do I do? I'm not actually very paranoid about my copyright--I think real, actual infringement is rare. Copyright law doesn't effectively protect you from piracy, after all, but only from those who would use your work as their own. It's more of a "heads up", it seems to me, but still useful as such.
"Ok fine, Lee, just send in your script changes as the source code for your game," you say. But at most I've got _maybe_ 10 pages total of script I've done, most of it a few keystrokes within the stock (and already copyrighted) scripts. Plus, what little I've done that is 100% original is of trivial value to the overall copyright value of my game. I mean it's not hard to come up with a vehicle boost function on your own, and in any case we're talking copyright, not patent. More importantly, I would NEVER use that source code to identify a copyright violation, because that would not make any sense, at all.
Now don't get me wrong. I look at the result of many moons work and I have no trouble saying "that's mine and quite a legitimate thing to register the copyright for, if I wish." It's quite distinctive, in fact, IMHO:
www.singularityfps.com
But there is a ton of third party stuff in my game (the engine, the models, that's all), it's only the overall "thing" that I can truly call my own.
What do I do? I'm not actually very paranoid about my copyright--I think real, actual infringement is rare. Copyright law doesn't effectively protect you from piracy, after all, but only from those who would use your work as their own. It's more of a "heads up", it seems to me, but still useful as such.
#2
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09/11/2007 (11:53 pm)
Yeah as long as you did not use their trademark, logo or other design.__________________
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#3
09/12/2007 (1:55 am)
Holy clever spambot batman!
#4
You cannot copyright a "name" nor can you copyright the "originality" of your game. Even a story cannot be copyrighted if it is largely generic and uses traditional themes.
GarageGames grants you a license to use their code which probably negates any copyright claim they could have against you. I would look at this license closely.
Though I am an attorney, this is just "general" advice. I am in no way providing you legal advice nor am I trying to form an attorney-client relationship. If you have any questions about copyrighting your work and seek clear legal answers, I would consult with an attorney that specializes in intellectual property.
11/04/2007 (5:00 pm)
Morrie is incorrect. In general, a copyright will extend to all expressive elements in your software. This includes graphics and art, music, gui elements and so on.You cannot copyright a "name" nor can you copyright the "originality" of your game. Even a story cannot be copyrighted if it is largely generic and uses traditional themes.
GarageGames grants you a license to use their code which probably negates any copyright claim they could have against you. I would look at this license closely.
Though I am an attorney, this is just "general" advice. I am in no way providing you legal advice nor am I trying to form an attorney-client relationship. If you have any questions about copyrighting your work and seek clear legal answers, I would consult with an attorney that specializes in intellectual property.
#5
11/04/2007 (5:10 pm)
@ Magnus :D 
Torque 3D Owner Morrie