Patents, Copyright and Trademarks, Oh My! What you can and cannot use from an existing game.
 
We answer a question about using the mechanics from an older game in your current game design and spend some time talking about copyright, intellectual property, trademarks and patents. We also review Disney Sidekicks, a new cooperative game from Eric Lang, and have some more thoughts on Lost Ruins of Arnak, Doodle Dungeon and more.
 
Episode 160, recorded January 12th, 2022. Join us Wednesdays at Nine PM Eastern at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop
 
If you enjoy the show consider tipping the Bellhop at: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopbellhop
 
More detailed show notes: https://tabletopbellhop.com/podcast/ep160/
 
Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Games mentioned may be review copies provided by publishers.
 
SUGGESTION BOX 
Send feedback to moe@tabletopbellhop.com
 
Yardmaster Review on Youtube, https://youtu.be/Syvhjg_-ii8
 
The Bellhops Best of 2021, https://youtu.be/XRDFS-uK2CM
Aventuria Inn of the Black Boar, https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2147800656/Inn-of-the-Black-Boar?awid=1091
Bad Company, https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/340677/bad-company
 
Galaxy Trucker 2021 Unboxing, https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/340677/bad-company
 
ASK THE BELLHOP 
Disclaimer: Neither of us are lawyers and nothing said should be taken as legal advice.
 
“If a game has been patented for more than 20 years, is it legal to use the card mechanics? Is it still covered by intellectual property? 
 
Regarding card mechanics, if a game is played with numbers, shapes and colors and the goal of the game is to collect matches, can I still play this exact game if I change the numbers, or shapes or colors to a different factor, such as size?”
 
Not Playing Around: Board Games and Intellectual Property Law, https://www.americanbar.org/groups/intellectual_property_law/publications/landslide/2014-15/march-april/not-playing-around-board-games-intellectual-property-law/
 
Us Patent Trading Card Game Method Of Play, https://patents.google.com/patent/US5662332A/en
 
Board Game Apparatus, https://patents.google.com/patent/US2026082A/en
 
Send questions to questions@tabletopbellhop.com
 
THE GAME ROOM - Disney Sidekicks
A detailed looks at this new cooperative game from Eric M Lang
Unboxing Video, https://youtu.be/D6k6509CYOg
Written review on the blog, https://tabletopbellhop.com/game-reviews/disney-sidekicks/
Pick up your own copy of Disney Sidekicks, https://amzn.to/3A4GEk0
 
THE BELLHOPS TABLETOP 
Lost Ruins of Arnak, https://amzn.to/3tu6zjZ
Doodle Dungeon, https://amzn.to/3nywd37
Tripples, https://amzn.to/3fxQTE8
 
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