Protecting Your Board Game IP: A Guide for Board Game Designers

How do I protect my board game IP?
How to copyright a board game in the US Go to the Copyright Office registration webpage. Complete your application online or on paper. Pay the non-refundable filing fee of $35, $55 or $85 (depending on your application) Give the Copyright Office copies of the board game you want to register for them to keep.
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All ages enjoy playing board games as a hobby. You spent a lot of time and work designing your game as a board game designer. However, your game may be susceptible to intellectual property theft after you release it into the public domain. In this post, we will look into board game IP protection and address related issues, such as how to market your game and how to sell your idea to a corporation.

How to Secure Your IP for Board Games

There are various actions you may take to safeguard your board game IP. Registering the name and logo of your game as a trademark is the first and most crucial step. This will stop other people from using the name or logo of your game for their own game. You might also think about patenting the rules of your game or registering the design of your game. By doing this, you’ll stop someone else from making a game that’s too identical to yours.

Keep your game’s mechanics and design a secret until you’re ready to reveal it as this is another strategy to safeguard your board game IP. You can accomplish this by requesting non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) from playtesters before they begin using your game. This will prevent them from discussing the gameplay or design of your game with others.

How to Avoid Having Your Idea Plagiarized When Selling Your Idea to a Company

Protecting your idea before pitching it to a firm is crucial if you’re interested in selling your board game concept. By submitting a provisional patent application, this is possible. You will then have a year to pitch your concept to businesses without being concerned about it being stolen.

It’s crucial to conduct your homework and choose organizations who are a suitable fit for your game before proposing your idea. To get your game in front of the proper people, you may also think about going to board gaming events or networking with specialists in the field.

Tips for Marketing Your New Board Game

It’s critical to market your board game to your target demographic once you’ve secured your intellectual property rights and are prepared to publish it. Create a website or social media profiles for your game, go to board game conventions, and get in touch with board game bloggers and reviewers to do this.

You might also think about starting a crowdfunding campaign to raise money and interest for your game. This can be an excellent approach to promote your game to a broad audience and create a fan base for it.

How to Register a Board Game Patent The procedure of patenting a board game can be difficult, but it is doable. You must show that your board game has a distinct and non-obvious mechanic or design aspect in order to obtain a patent for it. You must also include thorough explanations and illustrations of the mechanics and design of your game.

The process of patenting a board game can be costly and time-consuming, it is crucial to mention. However, it can be worthwhile to spend if you think your game has the potential to be a commercial hit.

How to Develop a Board Game

There are various steps you can take if you want to become a board game creator. To grasp game mechanics and design components, the first step is to play as many board games as you can.

To advance your talents and learn more about the industry, you might also think about enrolling in board game design seminars or courses. In order to promote your name and game concepts, it’s also crucial to network with professionals in the business and go to board game events.

In conclusion, it is critical for each board game designer to safeguard their IP. You may protect your game against intellectual property theft by trademarking the name and logo of your game, keeping your mechanics and design under wraps, and patenting your game. Additionally, you may increase interest in and create a community around your game by focusing on the right businesses and marketing it to your target market. So go ahead and let your enthusiasm and imagination run wild and succeed as a board game inventor!