[casual_games] Copycats -- What Can Be Done?

[Jim Stern]

I know there have been quite a few discussions in the past about developers
and publishers being frustrated with all the cloning that is being done in
games.  In some cases, the new games are clearly an improvement from their
predecessors, and they can help to push the bar toward higher quality games.
In other cases, they literally are mimicking the same UI, layouts, game
play, and art style.  I would like to know if anyone has information on:

 

1)       Legal steps that can be done to thwart this kind of activity
(whether certain parts of the game are copyrightable or if there is legal
precedence to get the offending party to cease and desist), and 

2)       Whether people are taking a stand against working with developers
who are clearly violating the rights of those who developed the original
idea

 

Thanks.

 

Jim Stern

iWin, Inc.

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