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Are Video Game Patents Next?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the this-could-get-scary dept.

MarcOiL writes "Gamasutra is running an article titled It's Just a Game, Right? Top Mythconceptions on Patent Protection of Video Games where two IP lawyers try to convince the videogame industry of patenting everything in sight: ideas, technical contributions, etc. They show as an example a Microsoft patent on Scoring based upon goals achieved and subjective elements. They also have created a weblog, The Patent Arcade, to promote their business. Will this be the real end of innovation in videogames?"

4 of 443 comments (clear)

  1. ugh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "where two IP lawyers try to convince the videogame industry of patenting everything in sight: ideas, technical contributions, etc. "

    Q. What do you have when you have 2 lawyers buried up to their necks in cement?

    A. Not enough cement.

  2. Ask Slashdot by _Hellfire_ · · Score: 4, Funny

    Will this be the real end of innovation in videogames?"

    Yes.

    Wow that was an easy Ask Slashdot!

    --
    "And then I visited Wikipedia ...and the next 8 hours are a blur..."
  3. Re:Aren't they already here? by Game+Genie · · Score: 5, Funny

    Too bad nobody has patented "really frickin slow load times". Perhaps I should get the patent and then refuse to licence it. That would save us all a lot of trouble.

  4. Re:M.A.M.E. as prior art by Inda · · Score: 3, Funny

    what was the first arcade game to feature a "punch" button?

    Double Dragon.

    How about the first solid-object polygon game?

    Um... Double Dragon!

    How many years before the 2nd one?

    Double Dragon?

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