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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Keeper of Secrets" data-source="post: 2511001" data-attributes="member: 13836">Actually there is a huge fight raging on now with Smuckers trying to patent a little treat they have out.  Maybe you have seen the ads for a little sandwich with peanut butter and jelly inside.  It is like a tiny pie.  They make a sandwich and use a circular cutter to chop off the crusts (which kids seem to hate) and seals the sides.  They want to patent it.  The patent office says no.  Smuckers took it to court and it is still waiting a decision.I'm not a patent attorney but I am a copyright/trademark attorney and their argument makes a lot of sense even though the other side makes a lot of sense, too.As far as RPGs, you can't patent the game, itself but you could likely patent the system.  Though with OGL at this point any chance to patent THAT is lost.  On the other hand, the systems usually have enough protection with copyright and trademarks that you can just use those.  Besides, a patent only lasts 17 years and it takes about three years to actually get an approval that it just isn't worth it.  Copyrights and trademarks get you much more 'value' for their money.</blockquote>