Game Names

[Coly010]

When creating a new PBBG, how do you know if you are infringing on another person's copyright.

Like is there an easy way to find out if the name you want to give your game has been taken already?

[~Rob0t]

You cannot copyright a word (so the word "mafia" is free reign), though you can trademark a word. You can search to see if the word(s) are trademarked on various sites, for example; https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmtext.htm

_{p.s. not a lawyer, probably chatting sh​i​t}

Edited November 26, 2015 by ~Rob0t

[Coly010]

Well even still

if one person decides to make a game called Turf Wars then another guy who doesnt know about this existing game wants to create a game called Turf Wars. How is that situation handled?

[~Rob0t]

Well even still

if one person decides to make a game called Turf Wars then another guy who doesnt know about this existing game wants to create a game called Turf Wars. How is that situation handled?

Probably with a few accidental signups and spam/ddos from the game owners for piggy-backing off their advertisements

A good way to find out if a game already exists is to search for it. I.e: "allintext: turf wars rpg"

You may find some more help on;

• 
  
• http://law.stackexchange.com/
  
• https://www.reddit.com/r/TRADEMARK/
  
• A lawyer
  

[rulerofzu]

Funnily enough my game was going to be called Legend of Zu. Unknown to myself at the time there is a film called Zu Warriors (Legend of Zu)

Payment processors refused to take payments just in case.

So whilst my game and the film had absolutely nothing in common. It was better to change it.