Generations of families and friends have loved playing the timeless board game Monopoly. Who actually creates Monopoly, and how can you defend the games you build yourself? This article will cover copyrighting your own board game, discuss the history of Monopoly, and address some relevant queries.
In the early 20th century, a woman by the name of Elizabeth Magie invented the game of Monopoly. Its original name, The Landlord’s Game, referred to its goal of educating players about the negative effects of monopolies and the positive aspects of a cooperative economy. After being eventually sold to Parker Brothers, who made minor modifications, the game was eventually launched in 1935 as Monopoly. It soon rose to the top of the bestseller list and has since been remade in innumerable variations.
You might be asking if you need to copyright your own board game if you’re interested in doing so. Yes, you should is the quick response. By giving your game copyright protection, you can prevent others from stealing or copying it. You must submit an application to the US Copyright Office in order to copyright your game. Fees start at $35 and can be paid online or by mail.
You must list the title of your board game, a brief description, and any supplementary pictures or photos when registering it. The sort of work (in this case, a board game) and whether it is a fresh creation or a derivative of an earlier work (like Monopoly) must also be specified. A certificate of registration that serves as official evidence of your ownership will be provided to you when your application has been approved.
You might want to think about trademarking your game in addition to copyrighting it. A trademark is a design, word, or expression that sets your product apart from competing ones on the market. If you want to sell or distribute your game widely, this can be extremely crucial. You must submit an application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office in order to trademark your game. Fees per class of goods or services start at $225.
Let’s finally address the final linked query: what is the cheapest object in the world? Even though it might appear irrelevant to copyright issues for board games, this is nevertheless a fascinating query. Air is the solution, according to some sources. The air we breathe is essentially free, yet compressed or bottled air may cost money. Of course, this doesn’t imply that making and marketing a board game is inexpensive, but with proper preparation and protection from the law, it may be a worthwhile and successful endeavor.
Finally, Monopoly is a well-known board game that has endured over the years. Make sure to copyright and trademark your game if you’re interested in doing so to protect your intellectual property. And even though air may be the cheapest material on the planet, investing in the development of a good board game is still beneficial.