Protect Your Game

David Michaels

7 years ago

Stephen Charles McArthur speaks at Casual Connect

MISTAKE #1: Trying to use an NDA to protect your game.

When hiring contractors (and in some places even employees) to build your game with code and images, you need to get them to sign a “Work For Hire Agreement.”

Make sure you have a work for hire agreement that says:

“Contractor acknowledges and agrees that all of

Contractor’s Works shall be considered a “work

made for hire” and that [Company] obtains

ownership of all of the rights comprised in the

“inventions and trade secrets”
Employee assigns and conveys any and all right, title, and interest in any intellectual property to Company…

And Contractor waives their moral rights in the Work.

MISTAKE #3: Not Registering Your Copyright

FACT: Not filing a copyright registration within 3 months of publishing your game severely prejudices your rights.

Suggestion:
e-file your copyright application at Copyright.gov
•The registration fee is $55.
Current Processing Time
Processing Time for e-Filing: generally, up to 8 months
Processing Time for Paper Forms: generally, up to 13 months

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