When will we see the first RPG patent?

[Psionicist]

Most people don't care much about patents. Yet, it's one of the hottest topics among computer programmers. For years, larger companies have been able to patent vague and generic ideas, not actually inventions, but ideas. Amazon has a patent on "buying a product online with only one click". There's another patent on "buying a product online using a credit card". Microsoft have around a thousand patents on ideas they didn't even create themselves, such as a bunch of patents describing Apples iPod, and even more dumb patents such as "creating smileys yourself".

Sony recently patented uploading data to your head for knowledge, like in The Matrix. They don't actually have the technology to do that, and they don't got the idea themselves, but if anyone is smart and creates it, they will use their patent to make money...

This is bad as is, but there are some interesting changes to patent law that will grant the patent to the first one to file it, instead of the first one to invent it. This happens all the time by mistake (why Microsoft have so many patents of ideas not their own) but now it's official so to say.

Now, when roleplaying games and computer programs are not so different given that they describe a system using rules based on ideas, and you can patent stuff without inventing it yourself. When will we see patents on role playing topics? Here are a few ideas I haven't invented myself, but I can probably patent if I find an articulate lawyer and a bag of cash:

* "a method of describing a paper based entertainment system set in an imaginary fantasy setting". (this is a patent on fantasy rpgs)
* "a method of describing behaviour in a fantasy-based entertainment system using a random number generator." (this is a patent on using dice in rpgs)
* "the invention describes a folded paper where the referee of a systemized rules-based entertainment system can request specific data using a defined set of tables" (DM-Screen).
* "there is disclosed an apparatus and method for defining an arbitrary set of attendant-based rules data in a visual format" (character sheet)
You can probably write a patent on feats, skills, class based games, using traps in D&D etc.

Discuss, please.

Edit: Oops, weird grammar here.

 

[KenM]

I know WOTC patented the basic play for Magic:The Gathering. Any card game that reqires you to turn a card to get resorces to bring cards into play is basically the same game, according to the patent.
Not sure if you can patent RPG's though.

 

[Umbran]

Note that patents can be challenged. The fact that the patent office sometimes has it's head screwed on crooked and hands out things willy-nilly does not mean that the patent will actually stand up under scrutiny. All the wacky patents really mean is that the patent owner has teh right to attempt to get the patent enforced.

 

[Psionicist]

I know WOTC patented the basic play for Magic:The Gathering. Any card game that reqires you to turn a card to get resorces to bring cards into play is basically the same game, according to the patent.
Not sure if you can patent RPG's though.

Interesting, I didn't know about this patent, thanks. Link: Trading card game method of play

You can patent animals (google GloFish or Monsanto) and genes... Believe me, you can patent RPGs. It's just a matter of when it will happen.

 

[Psionicist]

Note that patents can be challenged. The fact that the patent office sometimes has it's head screwed on crooked and hands out things willy-nilly does not mean that the patent will actually stand up under scrutiny. All the wacky patents really mean is that the patent owner has teh right to attempt to get the patent enforced.

Yes, but it's costly. Large companies can afford it, I can't.

 

[Herremann the Wise]

A patent is only as useful as its owners willingness to defend it. That means big money in terms of litigation.
As Umbran said, a patent can be challenged, particularly if the "real" owner wants to.

Of interest however is the great Australian Icon: the Ugg Boot (A boot of sheep's skin with the fluffy bits on the inside). Ugg boots have been around Australia for a very long time and are known explicitly by that name. Imagine the Australian Industry's surprise when a couple of years ago, an American company tells them they cannot name them Ugg Boots anymore because that company now "owns" the name.
Unfortunately, the American company was willing to litigate to enforce its "property" and so now, most shops selling ugg boots simply label them ug boots instead.

I'm not too sure precisely how this has been resolved. In essence, though, my point is that it is very difficult to come up with a watertight patent and even if you do, you have to be willing to litigate to try and enforce it.

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[Conaill]

Some examples from a quickie search for "roleplaying":

Computer system and method for implementing a virtual reality environment for a multi-player game (Sony)

Role and war game playing system (method for simultaneous combat resolution)

Internet audio multi-user roleplaying game (Keith Baker!?)

 

[Parlan]

You can patent animals (google GloFish or Monsanto) and genes... Believe me, you can patent RPGs. It's just a matter of when it will happen.

You can patent Swinging on a Swing-set

goggle patent and "method for swinging".

There's no end to the stupid crap people can patent.

IIRC, that one was filed by a patent attorney on behalf of his kid. God I hope he was laughing when he did it.

 

[Romnipotent]

I'm gonna patent how you spread toast on bread... and restaurants around the world will pay me 0.001 cent per slice!

 

[Spell]

i believe that whoever invented the patent system should be caned. forget atom bombs and terrorism... this is the real bane of the world!!!