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Geek Culture / Copyrighting your games

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Joe Cooning
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Joined: 29th Mar 2003
Location: United States
Posted: 20th Jan 2005 06:13
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Does anyone know how to copyright your games?

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PiratSS
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Posted: 20th Jan 2005 06:55
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I am pretty sure a lot of people do.
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David T
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Location: England
Posted: 20th Jan 2005 06:58
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Everybody, whatever age is entitled to copyright on an original idea.

Just put

Copyright (c) Your Name, Date, All Rights Reserved

on the work. Obviously if you want things more secure it's best to look into it.

Get 15 new commands, all the date / time commands left out of DBPro for free!
DOWNLOAD PLUGINS HERE: http://www.davidtattersall.me.uk/ and select "DarkBasic"
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CattleRustler
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Posted: 20th Jan 2005 07:30
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the minute you compile, you have copyrighted it. And yes add the stuff dt said - BUT - in order to take action against a copyright infringement you need to have submitted the copyright info with your government agency that handles it

DBP_NETLIB_v1.4.3EZ_Serv v1.2
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BearCDPOLD
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Joined: 16th Oct 2003
Location: AZ,USA
Posted: 20th Jan 2005 07:55
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Better yet:
Compile, stick your distribution package on a disc, write the date on the inside of an envelope in permanent ink, stick the disc in in a sealed case, and mail it to yourself.

Crazy Donut Productions, Current Project: Project Starbuks
Sony stole our name!
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Neofish
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Joined: 7th Apr 2004
Location: A swimming pool of coke
Posted: 20th Jan 2005 08:59
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Quote: "Better yet:
Compile, stick your distribution package on a disc, write the date on the inside of an envelope in permanent ink, stick the disc in in a sealed case, and mail it to yourself."

Put it in a bank...

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Jeku
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Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Posted: 20th Jan 2005 14:48
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Quote: "Better yet:
Compile, stick your distribution package on a disc, write the date on the inside of an envelope in permanent ink, stick the disc in in a sealed case, and mail it to yourself."


This method isn't any better than just putting copyright on the game. To have it protected by law you must register it with the gov't. Apparently mailing it to ones self isn't much better than doing nothing.


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CattleRustler
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Posted: 20th Jan 2005 22:49
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yup

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Fallout
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Location: Basingstoke, England
Posted: 21st Jan 2005 04:00
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All you have to do is have some method of proofing you created the idea. Hard with software, but with my music for example, I am the only person who owns the source files. If someone released one of my tunes without my permission, I would take them to court and prove I was the author with the source files.

It's harder with code, but you don't even have to register anything, so long as if someone does you over and you take them to court, you can prove its your work. The old mailing it to yourself trick is myth. It's not conclusive proof and can be easily faked.

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David T
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Location: England
Posted: 21st Jan 2005 04:26
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Quote: "mail it to yourself."


I heard that doesn't stand up too well.

An IP laywer told me to prove you have the copyright, deposit a copy of the source code and plans in a bank and get the dated receipt.

Of course this is country specific, and you may need to do other things for US etc.

Get 15 new commands, all the date / time commands left out of DBPro for free!
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Benjamin
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Posted: 21st Jan 2005 04:30
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Quote: "An IP laywer told me to prove you have the copyright, deposit a copy of the source code and plans in a bank and get the dated receipt."

I was gonna suggest that

CURRENT PROJECT: Chaos Hizzle Demo
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BearCDPOLD
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Posted: 21st Jan 2005 07:59
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That was just something my less-than intelligent programming teacher told me, but as far as what I've actually researched in the U.S. Copyrights office you are not required to register to copyright, but you will lose in any court if you don't have proof or you haven't paid the registration fee.

Crazy Donut Productions, Current Project: Project Starbuks
Sony stole our name!
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Neofish
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Posted: 21st Jan 2005 08:03
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Quote: "I was gonna suggest that"

I did

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Benjamin
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Posted: 21st Jan 2005 08:13
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CURRENT PROJECT: Chaos Hizzle Demo
STATUS: Release of BETA imminent!
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Andy
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Posted: 21st Jan 2005 12:39
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Copyright is automatic and doesn't need to be registered.

>Compile, stick your distribution package on a disc, write the date
>on the inside of an envelope in permanent ink, stick the disc in in
>a sealed case, and mail it to yourself.

Also known as 'Poor mans copyright', but since no third party is involved it doesn't prove a thing.

>...but as far as what I've actually researched in the U.S.
>Copyrights office you are not required to register to copyright,
>but you will lose in any court if you don't have proof or you
>haven't paid the registration fee.

Proof can be as simple as a number of sourcecode files, images and work documents showing the progression of your project from start to finish.

Again - paying a registration fee doesn't give you any special rights under the law, but can be a convenient and cheap way to bolster your case if needed.

Andy
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