AI/LLMs Plagiarism vs. Inspiration

[Lanefan]

If your mechanics, processes, or systems are so unique and valuable as to require legal protection, it might be a thing you can protect via a patent. But you don't get a patent just by putting a thing into print - there's a separate application process that most RPGs do not bother to go through. I, personally, cannot think of a single ttrpg that has tried to patent its mechanics.

Not a TTRPG but still too close to home from D&D's viewpoint: for Magic, WotC* once tried to [patent, trademark, copyright - not sure which one applies here] the "tap a card" mechanic, i.e. the act of turning a card sideways in a card game to indicate that card's status had changed or its ability had been used.

A year or two and several courtrooms later, this got shot down. But they did try.

* - I forget whether Hasbro had yet bought them out at the time or not.

 

[soviet]

Not a TTRPG but still too close to home from D&D's viewpoint: for Magic, WotC* once tried to [patent, trademark, copyright - not sure which one applies here] the "tap a card" mechanic, i.e. the act of turning a card sideways in a card game to indicate that card's status had changed or its ability had been used.

A year or two and several courtrooms later, this got shot down. But they did try.

* - I forget whether Hasbro had yet bought them out at the time or not.

No, they were successful. They let it expire after 10 or so years.