old games copyright

Hi,

after a long time my first post :-)

I would like to develop a freeware pong clone, but I'm unable to get a starting point from a copyright / trademark perspective.

Are there any rights reserved ?! How do I find out ?

I'm kinda stuck on this topic *sigh*

thanks,
jono

As long as you just "copy" the gameplay idea (destroying blocks with a ball which is controlled by a paddle) you shouldn't get into trouble.
Just don't copy any files, the idea however is not copyright protected as far as I know.

i have planned to use the name actually. hmm.
But I do not plan to borrow anything else than that from the original game.

thanks for the quick reply,
jono

I'm sure the name "Pong" is off limits, however there are a million Pong clones. Use a different name and try and make it standout from all the rest. You probably won't be able to secure the brand "Pong" because I believe it is being sold in stores as a retro/nostalgic unit like all of those plug and play joystick games.

If you are looking to use the name Pong, you are looking for trademark info (the code is covered by copyright, brand names are trademarked).

I think the PONG trademark is owned by Atari and I think they still enforce it. You would need to talk to a lawyer.

"Bong" could be a nice one to use dont ya think ?

bong sounds pretty much like drugs stuff... better try ping lol

hummm here in Brazil, Bong means nothing... anyway...

http://www9.yatego.com/images/412e01d3a96222.4/gw67.jpg
and this is what "bong" means in germany, swiss and austria lol

Lol.

Just funny how you can be arrested for some wrong words

lol..In India Bong is a slang for a particular group of people
who speak a language called Bengali.But I think you are
safe to use this word as its a slang anyway !

maybe i go for something like Pang or Peng or bePONGed or something else, haven't even started so still time left for finding the name.
It's rather hard to point on something without pointing on something ?!

thanks for the replies,
jono

I vote for Bong...
lol.

A name should say something about the game. Simply changing a "P" to a "B" really says nothing. I suggest you go with "PING". You might get some people thinking that it's a submarine search game or an internet utility, but once they play it I think they'll get it.

I'm not a lawyer, but I *think* Atari only has the trademark to PONG (all caps) not: pong, Pong, pOnG, etc. Because "pong" is a Japanese work that means "to target".

Personally I wouldn't try to use it, but you might have some ground to stand on when Atari sues you (have fun ).

As long as it's freeware, it doesn't matter thát much, but to be on the save side, don't use Pong as a name solo.

There have been some games with names like UltraPong, SuperPong, Überpong and what more (those all exist for real and are (cool) Pong clones by the way).

With a little bit of creativity you can think of a better name than just Pong.

Cheers

Ping Pong?

SexyPong

A6Pong

KaPong!

Lampong!

Quote:

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SexyPong

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Great graphics, ... now let's game on!! XD

Cheers