Asked in Gaming

Q: I need to know if I can legally create a Monopoly video game without asking Hasbro Gaming for permission.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Erik Špila
Erik Špila
Answered

A: Dear Mrs or Mr,

suddenly this will not be legally possible, at least not like you want it. Hasbro has this board game very good trademarked accross many countries around the world. Even if they have no trademark for "Monopoly" word in the country in which you would like to create, market and sell such game, they can still use unfair competition provisions or copyright protection against you.

If you want to create such game just for yourself to enjoy with your friends and family, and you are not going to business it and make it publicly available, then you are good to go.

If you want to create, market and sell such game then you must give it different name, use different design, use different wording in the rules and on game cards. Monopoly game rules as such are not protected by copyright. As far as I know there is no jurisdiction that protect game rules as such. So you can apply same game rule principles.

If you need any more advice on IP or this particular case, contact me anytime.

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