4 ip issues that can make [or break] your game studio
TRANSCRIPT
© Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP 2014
4 IP Issues that can make
[or break] your game studio
James Gatto, Co-leader Social Media and Games
[email protected] 202-747-1945
IP Protection Process
Own It!
Identify It!
Protect it!
Repeat!
Who Invented Facebook?
Question
Once you publish a great video game,
what stops others from copying it?
IP Protection!
Best Practice #1
OWN IT!
Patents - Absent an agreement or other legal
obligation, patents are owned by the inventor
Copyrights – generally owned by the author
Best Practice #1
OWN IT!
Founders?
Work for Hire?
Developers?
Publishers?
Best Practice #1
OWN IT!
Be careful with the rights you grant
exclusives
right of first refusal
geographical rights
adaptations
Best Practice #2
Identify it!
Games combine
– Interactive, functional aspects
– creative, artistic aspects
Both types are protectable
Best Practice #2
Identify Your IP!
Patents - Interactive, functional aspects(Game mechanics, game play methods, hardware,
Processes, graphics generation techniques, UI features
Much more)
Copyright - creative, artistic aspects (UI and
code)
Trademark – name/characters
Best Practice #3
Protect it!
To maximize protection…
Develop Comprehensive IP Strategy
That protects all types of IP You Generate!
Patents
Strongest form of protection for game mechanics
But you must file for protection!!!
You have One Year (or less)!
Copyrights
You have protection from the time you create the
work…. but get benefits if you promptly file
– attorneys fees
– statutory damages
Trademarks
You have protection from the time you use the
work in commerce…. but get benefits if you file
can file intent to use
Best Practice # 4
Repeat!
IP Protection is an ongoing process…not a one
time event!
Patent Trends - Filings
Patent Trends – Litigation
Questions?
email me for a free white paper:
IP Protection for Games
James Gatto
Sheppard Mullin
202-747-1945
http://www.sheppardmullin.com/social-media-and-games