What elements of a board game are protected under copyright law?
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What elements of a board game are protected under copyright law?
For instance, if I were to create a video game version of Monopoly but named it “Big Business”, changed the pieces and the artwork but otherwise left the design of the board the same. Is this a violation?
Asked on September 17, 2012 under Business Law, Oregon
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Yes, what you describe would be a copyright violation. Copyright includes the right to control the creation of derivative or adaptive works--that is, new works or products based off elements of the existing one. You are much better off simply designing your own board and not using any elements from Monopoly.
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