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Atari's Legacy

LizardBoy1999LizardBoy1999 Posts: 17Member
in Games
I am making a game on the side called Atari's Legacy where all the video game consoles of history are people. And since atari had competition (which happened almost immediately) they have had a video game console meeting annually, but at the 56th annual meeting all the ataris have gone missing, even the founder of video games as we know it, yes even atari 2600 is missing or worse. Ouya (the hero) wants to find out what happened to the atari's, but he does not like the grim truth.

Please tell me if you would like me to continue making Atari's Legacy.
Cheers,
MrOuyaDeveloper/EonsAssistant/LizardBoy1999

Comments

  • Killa_MaakiKilla_Maaki Posts: 504Member
    I don't think you can legally put that on the store - the name Atari is most certainly trademarked, copyrighted, the whole legal gamut.
    You might be able to have it as a download from a personal site for free where people can sideload it, but even then it's a bit iffy.
    You didn't remember the plot of the Doctor Who movie because there was none; Just a bunch of plot holes strung together.
  • LizardBoy1999LizardBoy1999 Posts: 17Member
    I looked it up not even on the official site was it trademarked, copyrighted, or even reserved I have no clue why not, but oh well.
  • LizardBoy1999LizardBoy1999 Posts: 17Member
    edited May 2013
    Never mind, I looked it up on Google again and NOW it tells me the name Atari is rights reserved....oh well I guess I could always call it 2600's Legacy.

    Thanks for saving me from getting sued,
    LizardBoy1999
    Post edited by LizardBoy1999 on
  • rubixrubix Posts: 81Member
    edited May 2013
    I have a similar problem with console names. I made a game called survival with the graphical style of the atari 2600. I want to add an option to change the graphic style to certain other game consoles (Atari2600, NES, SNES, Genesis, and N64) and offer the themes as a $0.99 upgradeable feature.

    I think that Im going to get around this legal issue by using substitute names. (2600, NinES, SuperNinES, Gens, Nin64) Mabey you could use the same approach. The story sounds cool.
    Post edited by rubix on
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  • PiersPiers Posts: 680Member
    Saturday Morning RPG has many references to things which are copyrighted / trademarked, but done in a way as to not violate said copyrights etc.  You should check it out and dig deeper into a way where it's obvious what the character's are, but not in a way that puts you in legal hot water.
  • LizardBoy1999LizardBoy1999 Posts: 17Member
    I was thinking of every time when the game starts up it has a legal disclaimer stating "Any console names referenced in this game does not mean we are affiliated with any company or individual who owns the right to said console."

    That would keep me out of "legal hot water" because laws state if I give credit I can't be sued or punished in any way.

    Cheers,
    MrOuyaDeveloper/EonsAssistant/LizardBoy1999

    P.S. Check out my site I made for info on my games. Link is here................... http://naga-games.weebly.com/
  • DelpeeDelpee Posts: 120Member
    edited May 2013
    That would keep me out of "legal hot water" because laws state if I give credit I can't be sued or punished in any way.
    I'm not an expert in US Law, I am following a course in law as part of my Computer Science study in the Netherlands. US Law differs from Dutch Law in some parts, but I'm certain that your claim is not true. First of all "giving credit" is not a legal term. You can disclaim a lot of stuff, but that doesn't mean it has any lawful meaning. If the holder of the Atari copyright feels you infringed their copyright, they can probably sue you, win, and take a lot of money from you (as it is the US). This is of course less of a danger when you won't make any money of your game and bodge the actual used names a bit. Still, I would advice to watch out for these kinds of things as even names that are obviously inspired by, and meant to portray, a certain copyrighted name or work can be punishable in some occurances.

    Things you can do:
    1. Ask permission from Atari and all involved companies (probably difficult, you can't make money of your product).
    2. Continue as-is (probably not too much of a danger, as long as you don't make any money of your game), you can possibly be asked to stop.
    3. Make it a parody of some sorts and change the names, as it will probably fall under Freedom of Speech.
    Note: again, I'm not a legal expert, if you want to be sure, ask a good lawyer!

    Regards,
    Yuri
    Post edited by Delpee on
    ~ Yuri van Geffen (Portfolio)
  • LizardBoy1999LizardBoy1999 Posts: 17Member
    Wow... just wow. I guess I better call my brother the lawyer... thanks for the heads up!

  • LizardBoy1999LizardBoy1999 Posts: 17Member
    Actually Rubix, I think I will use substitute names as well.
  • GoldiLocksGoldiLocks Posts: 75Member
    sounds good to me.
    OOOOOUUUUUYYYYYAAAAA!!!!!
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