Re: Let's create an OFFICIAL A2 Library!

["Arkain" <rwking@no.usa.spam.net>]

Maybe I stated it too concisely. Let me try again.

The copyright of the game, i.e. the ability to distribute the game at will,
can be released to the public domain without infinging on the intellectual
property rights that cover the story, plot, elements, characters,
terminology, etc... that is still held as valuable by a viable entity. In
otherwords, just because I have the right to redistribute the PD version of
the Star Trek game(hypothetical situation) doesn't mean that I have te right
to produce another Star Trek game as a clone for this one. I'd still have to
get permission from paramount for use of their characters, storylines, story
elements, etc....

Arkain

Frank Townsend <ftownsen@iamdigex.net> wrote in message
news:am%f5.247$Ib7.524477@dca1-nnrp1.news.digex.net...
> Yes and no.
>
> True, trademark can be used to protect character *names*.
>
> However, that copyright law also protects characters and narrative
elements
> has been shown in a number of court cases.  For example, Superman
prevailed
> over Wonderman in a 1940 case (Detective Comics v. Bruns).  Plots have
also
> been found found to infringe when detailed similarities were present
> (Sheldon v. MGM).
>
> But my point was that Paramount (and other copyright holders) would see
such
> a proposal as opening the door to dilute protection of their property
> including trademarked character names as well as material protected by
> copyright.  No way:  not going to happen.
>
> Arkain wrote in message <39804963$1@hal.grnco.net>...
>
> >The characters and story elements are protected by a different IP act.
The
> >game itself as a whole is what is copyrighted. The game can be released
> from
> >it's copyright without violation the IP priviliges of Paramount.
>
>