   Card Games with Strategy Elements (Magic The Gathering wannabees)
  Evening,I want to make my own online computer TCG, but i do know that Wizards of the Coast has a patent for card games with strategy elements on 'em (link), and i was wondering, does this mean there's really no hope for me to make a simple card game similar in some ways to Magic? What exactly do i have to do to be able to make that game with no legal issues?Thank you for your help.   
  Well, Konami managed to bring out a game that has an almost identical game term, with some other similarities as well, in the form of Yu-Gi-Oh. Look it up, it's a refreshing change from MtG (just don't play at pro-level. Blasted card timings, mutter, mutter, grrr).Only a bazillion other card games exist, so I wouldn't worry too much, as long as you're not just making a complete MtG clone. Come up with some different ideas, and you should be perfectly safe.   ;Quote:Original post by Little Coding FoxWhat exactly do i have to do to be able to make that game with no legal issues?Don't use the specific element or combination of elements that are Patented.;Quote:Original post by ObscureQuote:Original post by Little Coding FoxWhat exactly do i have to do to be able to make that game with no legal issues?Don't use the specific element or combination of elements that are Patented.The problem is that the patent applies to pretty much every aspect of TCGs in a non-game-specific manner in several places of the patent's description, and i've heard that both the Yugioh and Pokémon card games had legal issues with Wizards of the Coast as well. I heard i'd have to pay royalties to WoTC or something similar. Is that correct?   ;Quote:Original post by Little Coding FoxQuote:Original post by ObscureQuote:Original post by Little Coding FoxWhat exactly do i have to do to be able to make that game with no legal issues?Don't use the specific element or combination of elements that are Patented.The problem is that the patent applies to pretty much every aspect of TCGs in a non-game-specific manner in several places of the patent's description, and i've heard that both the Yugioh and Pokémon card games had legal issues with Wizards of the Coast as well. I heard i'd have to pay royalties to WoTC or something similar. Is that correct?WoTC actually published Pokemon. :)   ;Quote:Original post by Christopher LoydWoTC actually published Pokemon. :)I thought Nintendo published Pokemon after reading http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collectible_card_game#Patent ,"In 2003, the patent was an element of a larger legal dispute between Wizards of the Coast and Nintendo, regarding trade secrets related to Nintendo's Pokémon Trading Card Game. The legal action was settled out of court, and its terms were not disclosed.[6]"But you're right, Pokemon was originally published by WotC. I do believe i recently heard that the Yugioh publisher had some troubles with Wizards of the Coast at some time, but i can't really find my source.   ;Quote:Original post by Little Coding FoxQuote:Original post by Christopher LoydWoTC actually published Pokemon. :)I thought Nintendo published Pokemon after reading http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collectible_card_game#Patent ,"In 2003, the patent was an element of a larger legal dispute between Wizards of the Coast and Nintendo, regarding trade secrets related to Nintendo's Pokémon Trading Card Game. The legal action was settled out of court, and its terms were not disclosed.[6]"But you're right, Pokemon was originally published by WotC. I do believe i recently heard that the Yugioh publisher had some troubles with Wizards of the Coast at some time, but i can't really find my source.Just FYI, Wikipedia is a horrible source for accurate information. In fact, the college I currently attend online states:Quote:Please note that Wikipedia is not an accepted reference source by the University. It has been found to consistently contain wrong information and unreliable content. There are many other excellent sources available for you to use. Any student using this source will receive 0 points and an "F" on the assignment. RESUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. At any rate, I'm not sure where all the licensing and publishing and the what not go along with Pokemon, I do know that WoTC has their artwork all over pokemon card packs though (-sigh- I made a lot of money selling them as a kid, the good ole days).;  Wasn't there a study that showed that the Encyclopedia Britannica was only slightly more accurate than Wikipedia? Either way, there are people that meticulously check the articles, for the best information I recommend checking the cites though.From what I have read around when I was WotC published them, Nintendo wanted to drop them and a lot of stuff started because of some employees that were related to it all.DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A LAWYERAs far as the Patent issue, most TCG games that run the way that I expect you want to go are licensed by WotC or have faced legal action from Wizards of the Coast. Their patent is very generic, as it covers among other things moving a card from one grouping to another that is the primary play grouping (don't remember the exact language) but in short it restricts things like decks and what not.I believe this is why all of those alternative games are appearing (Bakugan and what not) because they don't have a Patent on Trading "*" Games.As such, for the online card game project that I am involved in I just elected that we move away from using or even referencing cards at all. Would have made it alot easier if we ever went for a print run though.[Edited by - Noctrine on May 17, 2010 2:34:11 PM];Quote:Original post by NoctrineAs such, for the online card game project that I am involved in I just elected that we move away from using or even referencing cards at all. Would have made it alot easier if we ever went for a print run though.That is actually a really interesting point of view. Objects in a computer game aren't necessarily considered "cards", and since that patent applies only to card games, if i create a new kind of object that isnt a card i may be able to not need to worry about the patent. However, they have to differ considerably from a regular card, otherwise the patent may still be valid in some way.What do you think about that? Could i be actually be.. correct?   ;  I think at that point its all about what you are willing to risk. Note I am not a lawyer, but I am personally comfortable enough with my own deviation from what their patent outlines and feel adequate that I am not infringing. (I don't even match there system of play, there was just that one thing that stopped decks that was in my way) Anything beyond there, I would suggest you ask a lawyer.   