Using an Idea - Copyright Question

[Stardust]

OK, I've been wondering if there will be any issues with a system I made based off the Sphere Grid from Final Fantasy X.  I checked the copyright page, and this is what I found:

Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed.

And here's the link to my system:
Ability Grid

So, I was wondering if it would conflict with copyright laws.  I wasn't sure about the "although it may protect the way these things are expressed" part.  Thanks for your help.  I wasn't really sure where else to post this, so I'm sorry if it's the wrong forum.

~Guardian1239

 

[Grathea]

I'm not sure, but I think that falls under 'fair use', as I highly doubt that the ability grid idea is patented or copyrighted. The name, maybe, but I doubt it'd be possible to patent the whole shebang.
But what do I know?

 

[Brewmeister]

Unless you 'rip' the graphics from their game, or decompile their code & use it, you haven't broken any copyright laws.

Using the name "Sphere Grid" would be a bit unethical, but not illegal. (Unless they have it trademarked)

Be Well

[EDIT] No, it does not fall under "Fair Use."  That covers using small portions of Copyrighted material for educational purposes.
If you post a screeny of the FFX Sphere Grid system here so you can learn to program something similar, that's "fair use".

 

[Stardust]

OK, that's good.  I usually take ideas from somewhere and edit them a little to fit my needs, but this one in particular wasn't edited far from the original idea.  Thanks for your help!

~Guardian1239

 

[Harvest]

If you were charging for your game you MIGHT have trouble but even then I doubt it (as long as you don't steal a series or something :P) because there are so many RPGs that use basically the same systems.

I'd say you're perfectly safe. 

 

[miss matcha]

Legally speaking, you can't copyright game mechanics.  If you look at the casual game industry, there are 20 million "Diner Dash" style games out there.  At my work (I contract for several different game companies) people were talking about how this rule both hurts and helps innovation.  So yes, you could most likely use it.  As for the name however, you probably shouldn't use the same one ("Sphere Grid") because those sorts of things can be copyrighted. 

 

[Ellie]

The idea for a grid system which unlocks abilities has been used in many, many games. Heck, even Adventure Quest has a system sort of like it for the classes. But calling it "the sphere grid" might cause some problems, as that is most likely copyrighted. But a grid system, should be fine.

 

[Stardust]

Don't worry - I was going to go with just the name Ability Grid since I didn't plan on using spheres at all.  Thanks for all your help, everyone.

~Guardian1239

 

[Brewmeister]

...shouldn't use the same one ("Sphere Grid") because those sorts of things can be copyrighted.

But calling it "the sphere grid" might cause some problems, as that is most likely copyrighted.

Names cannot be Copyrighted.

see: http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html#wnp

The term "Sphere Grid" could be trademarked, but it's not.

Legally, it's fair game. But it's still kinda uncool. :scruff:

Be Well