Astray
Member
If these big corpos manage to make their patents into something that all the industry needs to tip-toe around, then creativity will be greatly reduced at its current biggest source.Japanese devs have been releasing the template for decades; homages or heavily influenced posts don't pay the bills.
nowhat
Member
It should be noted that the Japanese software patent laws are very broad, even more so in than in the US (which also are way too permissive). You can patent pretty much anything. You probably wouldn't be able to patent the same stuff elsewhere, hence all these lawsuits taking place in Japan.
nowhat
Member
Right. But, the code is automatically covered by copyright. Artwork too, although when it comes to looking too similar, lawsuits and/or trademarks may need to be involved. It's patents that give us bullshit like this:
The Loading Screen Game Patent Finally Expires
In 1998, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued Patent 5,718,632, on a method for avoiding “unnecessary wastage of time” in video games. What’s transpired in the 17 years since then can best be described as an unnecessary wastage of time. Namco’s patent covers “auxiliary games” that a player...
Is that really an invention worthy of protection, for 17 years?
Angry_Megalodon
Member
Some devs want to kill competition with dirty tactics instead of upping their game. Fuck these whiny lil bitches, seriously.