Re: Writing new PBeM software and need a programmer

From: Gary Baines <g.baines@nospam.com>

Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 00:00:00 +0000

Karen J. Cravens wrote:
>
> In article <65br23$2io@news2.zippo.com>, lindahl@pbm.com (Greg Lindahl) wrote:
> >silver@phoenyx.net (Karen J. Cravens) writes:
> >
> >> Rules specifically cannot be copyrighted.  You'd have to get a
> >> patent for that.  The programming code is a different matter.
> >> See a lawyer.
> >
> >The game mechanics can't be copyrighted, but the exact expression of
> >the rules sure can. GDW went bankrupt after being sued for using
> >"Orcs" in the rules of a new frp game.
>
> The GDW case never went to court, and GDW was on the slippery
> slope way before that... if anything, TSR taking that clunker off
> their hands *slowed* their demise.  (Hmm. And now TSR went under
> and WotC owns that particular albatross...)
>
> However, you're right in that the exact *text* of the rules can
> be copyrighted.  But, as with any other "process," the actual
> rules can't.  And I'm thinking that the true intellectual
> property of a strategy/tactical PBeM lies in the algorithms of
> the game, not their expression.

Wasn't there some case in the 80's where KJC sued a fellow PBM company
for creating a game too similar to Earthwood?  I forget the details, but
surely to take such an action the rules have to have been copywritable?

Gary.

References

Re: Writing new PBeM software and need a programmer
silver@phoenyx.net (Karen J. Cravens)
Sun, 16 Nov 1997 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Writing new PBeM software and need a programmer
lindahl@pbm.com (Greg Lindahl)
Mon, 24 Nov 1997 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Writing new PBeM software and need a programmer
silver@phoenyx.net (Karen J. Cravens)
Mon, 24 Nov 1997 00:00:00 +0000

Referenced By

Re: Writing new PBeM software and need a programmer
silver@phoenyx.net (Karen J. Cravens)
Sun, 16 Nov 1997 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Writing new PBeM software and need a programmer
lindahl@pbm.com (Greg Lindahl)
Mon, 24 Nov 1997 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Writing new PBeM software and need a programmer
silver@phoenyx.net (Karen J. Cravens)
Mon, 24 Nov 1997 00:00:00 +0000