Can you copy board game mechanics?

As long as you don’t completely copy another game, you should be fine. Though complete ripoffs have happened before. Game mechanics cannot be copyrighted or patented, but as stated above a name for a mechanic can be.

Is it legal to make copies of a computer program and game you purchase to give to a friend?

Copying software is an act of copyright infringement and is subject to civil and criminal penalties. It’s illegal whether you use the copied software yourself, give it away, or sell it. And aiding piracy by providing unauthorized access to software or to serial numbers used to register software can also be illegal.

Are board game rules copyrightable?

Therefore, the systems or processes that make up the core of a game—generally referred to as the “game mechanics”—are not subject to copyright, even though the written rules, game board, card artwork, and other elements—often referred to as the “theme” of the game—may be.

Can I copy a card game?

Standard disclaimer (I’m not a lawyer), but as long as you don’t use any parts that are copyright (original game art, googled art you’ve no rights to), you’re perfectly fine.

Can I patent game mechanics?

Yes, you can patent game mechanics found in video games, since this is just a software-based patent. The examples on this page list several examples, but these are just software patents for new processes. However, you don’t see lawsuits in this area very often.

Is it legal to sell a copy of a game?

Yes, it is legal. Yes, you could sell it. The line you need to stay on the right side of is called “passing off”. If by any reasonable measure someone could mistake your game for Starcraft (or whatever other game you’re copying) then you can be taken to court for passing yourself or your product…

Can I copyright a game with bejeweled mechanics?

Game mechanics cannot be copyrighted or protected in any fashion. I could make a game called “Crystallized” that was Bejeweled, in every imaginable way, and as long as I didn’t copy the art from Bejeweled (either directly, or by drawing new art that just happens to be nigh-identical) I’d be totally fine.

What do you need to make a game without copyright?

A racing game, for example, needs race cars, tracks, drivers, steering wheels, speedometers, etc. Those elements cannot be copyrighted, because a racing game cannot exist without them. A planetary exploration game needs spaceships, aliens, planets, and space suits.