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Hello - quick question.

I'm making simple template tiles for a board game, changing it to 25mm scale. This is just so I can use 25mm minis for it.

However would uploading them to Dakka so other people can use them be an IP issue?

It won't be the counters, rules, anything else, just the tiles used in the game.

If you are using somebody's assets (for example board illustrations) then it depends on what they allow you to do with these assets (a Creative Commons license could allow for transformation and distribution). Most commercial products are in a all rights reserved situation but if you are not using any assets then there should be no IP issue.

 VorpalBunny74 wrote:
Hello - quick question.

I'm making simple template tiles for a board game, changing it to 25mm scale. This is just so I can use 25mm minis for it.

However would uploading them to Dakka so other people can use them be an IP issue?

It won't be the counters, rules, anything else, just the tiles used in the game.

I expect the tiles have art, yes, that you are reducing in scale?

If that is the case, yes, distributing that would most likely be an act of infringement.

If, however, you are making 'generic' tiles, such as notating the terrain effects of certain squares by color with no artwork, or creating your own artwork for the tiles then no, it would most likely not constitute an act of infringement as you would most likely merely be copying functional elements of the game rules. Rules are not protected by copyright (or rather extrey limited to essentially the exact wording of a rule), and functional elements are not protected by copyright. E.g. Clothing is generally not protected by copyright because it's form is largely dictated by its function and it serves a useful purpose extrinsic to its aesthetic value.

Note that I am not a lawyer and this does not constitute legal advice.

Completely blank tiles, no artwork from the board game used.

I'm just curious about whether or not tile configurations are IP. Probably being overcautious.

 VorpalBunny74 wrote:
Completely blank tiles, no artwork from the board game used.

I'm just curious about whether or not tile configurations are IP. Probably being overcautious.

The short answer is 'probably not subject to copyright protection'. Rules, systems, processes, methods of operation, concepts, principles, discoveries, and anything with a useful function is expressly exempted from the subject matter of copyright.

If you are being really cautious, you might check whether the tile system from the game has been platented. The likelihood is incredibly slim though.

To put this in a more familiar context, just think about all of the app versions of classic board games: scrabble, boggle, etc. there are scrabble patents, but for the delux rotating board with the little cells to hold the tiles in place. That device is patented, "Scrabble" is a trademark, the visual appearance of the board is a protectable work of art. The GAME is outside of intellectual property protection. And it should be. How could we have games if one could monopolize the many fundamental principles underlying game design, many of which have been around for thousands of years?

These laws are meant to serve the public good; to promote the PROGRESS of science and the useful arts.

weeble1000 wrote:

 VorpalBunny74 wrote:
Completely blank tiles, no artwork from the board game used.

I'm just curious about whether or not tile configurations are IP. Probably being overcautious.

The short answer is 'probably not subject to copyright protection'. Rules, systems, processes, methods of operation, concepts, principles, discoveries, and anything with a useful function is expressly exempted from the subject matter of copyright.

If you are being really cautious, you might check whether the tile system from the game has been platented. The likelihood is incredibly slim though.

To put this in a more familiar context, just think about all of the app versions of classic board games: scrabble, boggle, etc. there are scrabble patents, but for the delux rotating board with the little cells to hold the tiles in place. That device is patented, "Scrabble" is a trademark, the visual appearance of the board is a protectable work of art. The GAME is outside of intellectual property protection. And it should be. How could we have games if one could monopolize the many fundamental principles underlying game design, many of which have been around for thousands of years?

These laws are meant to serve the public good; to promote the PROGRESS of science and the useful arts.

Thanks for the info, I might have a look into if the tile system is patented. If not, I'll just hope for the best

I doubt that you will find anything, but I recommend using Google Patents. It's easier than the USPTO website. You can also contact the producer and ask directly if they have any related patents or patent applications.

But again, I seriously doubt you'll find anything. If the tile system is something that you can print out, I have trouble imagining how on earth it could be patentable, and most businesses in this industry don't file for trademarks, much less patent applications.

weeble1000 wrote:
I doubt that you will find anything, but I recommend using Google Patents. It's easier than the USPTO website. You can also contact the producer and ask directly if they have any related patents or patent applications.

But again, I seriously doubt you'll find anything. If the tile system is something that you can print out, I have trouble imagining how on earth it could be patentable, and most businesses in this industry don't file for trademarks, much less patent applications.

I couldn't find anything on Google Patents, or just plain Google for that matter.

I'll double check the box and rulebook materials

What is the game, if you don't mind my asking?

weeble1000 wrote:
What is the game, if you don't mind my asking?

No harm in telling I guess - it's Space Hulk.

The current tiles are absolutely compatible with 25mm bases for stand-ins, being just a bit bigger than 25mm.

But I want to be able to make BIG boards, and buying multiple copies of Space Hulk is less cost effective than sheets of foamboard. Not to mention it'll be possible to make walls and add other bits and bobs.

LOL. Man, there are so many not-for-space-hulk tile systems on the market. Go nuts. Just don't use GW artwork. There ain't nuthing protectable about those tiles aside from the artwork.

I was mainly worried about the 'vaccuum' tile, as that's not an x by x grid like the rest

 VorpalBunny74 wrote:
I was mainly worried about the 'vaccuum' tile, as that's not an x by x grid like the rest

At the end of the day, it is just a square with a picture on it, right? (I haven't played much Space Hulk) I am guessing that the game rules say that you perform a certain process or method of operation when that token/marker/tile is in play. Is that correct?

Space Hulk was published 25 years ago. If GW filed for patent protection (which it didn't), and if a first token or marker placed in proximity to a second token or marker were an original invention (which it isn't), any patent protection would have expired half a decade ago.