Can I patent a video game?

The short answer is: yes. Games and sports can be patented. However, in order to be eligible for a patent, any invention must be: New (you invented it; it doesn't already exist)
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How much does it cost to patent a game?

The cost of patenting a card game depends on the kind of patent you're getting. Typically, utility patents can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $12,000, depending on the complexity of the game and the amount of work that needs to be done on it. A design patent may only cost about $1,500 to $3,500.
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Can you copyright a video game idea?

However, gameplay elements of a video game are generally ineligible for copyright; gameplay concepts fall into the idea–expression distinction that had been codified in the Copyright Act of 1976, in that copyright cannot be used to protect ideas, but only the expression of those ideas.
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How do I protect my game idea?

Copyrights and Design Patent – Work with a patent attorney to register your game board designs under Design Patent and copyright law. this will cover the actual design of the board. A Design Patent will enable you to exclude others from making, selling, or using your patented board design for a period of 14 years.
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What to do if you invent a game?

For this reason, it is typically helpful to consult with a patent attorney. You may also want to consider protecting the game with a trademark or copyright, in addition to patent protection. Specifically, the name of the game and the logo can be protected by registering a trademark.
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5 Video Game Patents That Might Surprise You

Can you sell a game you made?

Yes, you still own all rights to your game. When you use The Game Crafter to create your game, you can sell, produce, or publish your game anywhere you like. This includes buying the game in bulk and selling it thru another platform or in person.
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Can I sell a game idea to a company?

Inquire with the company first. Ask them if they want to hear your idea and offer to sign an NDA (nondisclosure agreement). If you're not interested in money or lawsuits, tell them in writing they can have your idea no strings attached if they want to use it. Don't just send the idea in unsolicited.
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How do you trademark a video game idea?

How to Trademark a Game – the name, the company, or the logo
  1. Step 1 – Brainstorming a Strong Trademark. The first step to trademarking a game is coming up with the trademark itself. ...
  2. Step 2 – The Trademark Clearance Search. ...
  3. Step 3 – Filing the Application. ...
  4. Step 4 – The Long Wait. ...
  5. Step 5 – Registration.
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How do I protect my idea without a patent?

Using a Nondisclosure Agreement. Whether or not your invention is patentable, and whether or not you file a PPA, you should always require a prospective buyer or licensee to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) before you reveal your invention. This document is sometimes called a "confidentiality agreement."
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How do I patent a game app idea?

How to Patent an App Idea in 7 Steps?
  1. Choose the Patent Type You Want to Register for Your App. ...
  2. Conduct Extensive Mobile App Patent Research. ...
  3. Discover and Register with a Patent Lawyer. ...
  4. Prepare Documentation to File Your Mobile App Patent. ...
  5. File a Provisional or Non-Provisional Patent Application.
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Who owns the copyright to a video game?

So, who owns the copyright to a video game? It depends. If, for example, one person creates an original video game entirely by herself, for herself, then she will likely be deemed the sole copyright owner of the game.
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What are 5 things you can copyright in a game?

What parts of video game development are protected by copyright?
  • Specific source coding.
  • Artwork and graphics.
  • Films, text, and particular dialogue.
  • Musical scoring and sounds.
  • Story and character specifics.
  • The finished game.
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How long does it take to patent a game?

On average, it takes anywhere from one to five years from the filing date of the non-provisional application before the patent issues. The scope of protection, however, is broad, lasts a long time, and is additive.
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How long do game patents last?

If granted, a patent lasts for 20 years from the date of application. However, identifying the unique attributes of a game can be difficult, and the cost of obtaining patent protection and policing one's patent can be prohibitive.
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What is the cheapest way to patent an idea?

There are two main ways you can patent an idea: Method 1: Write and file your own patent application (the cheapest way) - total cost about $1,000 for most inventors to get an issued patent (USPTO government fees only).
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Can you sue someone for stealing your idea without a patent?

Ideas can neither be patented nor copyrighted. While it is very easy to sue someone in the United States, you need to identify an actual law that they broke by using your idea, such as violating a non-compete agreement.
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Can I patent an idea and then sell it?

The patent owner may give permission to, or license, other parties to use the invention on mutually agreed terms. The owner may also sell the right to the invention to someone else, who will then become the new owner of the patent.
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What happens if someone steals your idea and patents it?

But, if it appears that someone has patented your invention out from under you, you're going to need the assistance of a patent lawyer. Derivation and interference proceedings are not for the faint of heart. You're going to face a serious uphill climb, and you will need to have legal representation on hand.
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Do you need a patent for a video game?

Without a video game patent, your idea can be duplicated with no legal recourse. That is why video game inventors who want to patent their video need the help of the experienced attorneys at Virtual IP Law who specialize in video game patent law.
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Can trademarks in video games be used without permission?

A: In 2011, the Supreme Court ruled that video games have the same First Amendment protections as other, similarly artistic mediums, such as books, movies, and plays. This means that video games are allowed to use trademarks so long as they live up to the same standards as those mediums.
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Are video games trademarked or copyrighted?

Video game developers and publishers will typically apply for trademark protection for their game's name and other distinctive features, such as logos, character names, and designs. This can help to prevent others from using similar names or designs that could cause confusion or dilute the brand.
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Can you sell game ideas to Hasbro?

You need to be at least 18 years old in order to submit any concepts, and you must own or control all rights in those concepts. It should be your own work, or if you have collaborated with someone else, you must have that person's permission to submit the concept.
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Can I sell my idea to a company without a patent?

Technically, yes, you can sell an idea to a company without a patent. However, this is where we circle back to entering into an NDA contract before sharing said idea, as mentioned previously. This would be your last line of defense to protect your idea, though, unfortunately, many companies won't enter into an NDA.
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How do you create a video game idea?

14 Ways To Generate S-Tier Video Game Ideas
  1. Play Games For Inspiration.
  2. Build Your Game Around A Genre.
  3. Build Your Game Around A Character.
  4. Mind Map Your Game Ideas.
  5. Keep An Ideas Diary.
  6. SCAMPER Technique.
  7. Consider Market Trends.
  8. Find Gaps In The Market.
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Where can I sell the game I created?

Learn more about selling games

You can sell games online from your own store built with a platform like Shopify, on third-party marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, on niche websites like Swappa and Decluttr, and on social media, and via wholesale.
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