Legal issues

#1

Quote:How do we make sure that no one else steals your game's name, eg mine being Incruentus?

You can trademark the name. But it's a "mark", not a name that is being protected. (ie, the font, etc matters). Then no one else can use it for anything else in the same trade. Go see a lawyer, and be prepared to spend a lot of money.

Or or course, you could just not worry about it.

#2 Have lots of alternate names ready ;) Or you could put a TM on your name- TM is a trademark claim different from the (R), which is a trademark registered with the government. The US Trade and Patent Office has much more information on that if you'd like (and if you're in the US and the laws apply to you).

#3 Here are two links that might help you:

http://www.uspto.gov/main/faq/

http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/

#4 Thanks for the links.

I am in Australia, so do these apply here or do we have a completely different thing?

Cheers.

Rhys

#5 You'd have your own thing in Australia, but at the same time, there are some international agreements for Patents and Trademarks as well. Best thing to do is to look for the Australia equivalent of that information and it should also tell you what carries over into the international market. I have to say though that game names are a lot like game ideas, and you should have several and be prepared to change them, but that's just my two cents.

#6 Thanks, I'll see what I can do. I'm no where near completion, but just want to find out before I do anything. I'll see what I can do.
Again, thanks for all of your help.

Cheers.

Rhys

#7 @Rhys

Here is some resources for Australian Copyright and Trademarks.

Australia Trademarks - Click Here
A trademark only protects the name/phrase. They are also categorized under specific goods/services so your trademark is only applicable to that specific good/service. So you may need multiple marks.

Australia Copyright - Click Here
A copyright protects the design of your logos, artwork, literary works, etc. You may need multiple copyrights as well.

Hope that helps.

#8 Thanks, I'll see what I can do.