Expert: Shannon Moore - 10/9/2009

Question
i am a first time inventor. i made an original board game while i was in college. i am in the process of trying to sell it to a toy/game company. every time i have shown or have given any info out to one of these companies i have made sure disclosure papers and so on have been signed. so my question with taking all of the info i gave given so far. would a copyright help me.  what could i copyright.how much would one cost. and how would i go about getting one.

Answer
Dear Chad,

It's not possible to copyright the game as a whole or the concept behind the game but what you can file for a copyright is for the pictorial or literal expression of the game. For example, the text matter describing the rules of the game or the pictorial matter appearing on the gameboard or container may be registrable.

I'd suggest reading this factsheet about games: http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl108.html

To register a copyright, go here http://www.copyright.gov/eco/ The fee is $35 per application.

Please contact me with any other questions.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Warmest regards,
Shannon Moore
http://www.tmexpress.com
http://tmexpress.blogspot.com
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