Can I copyright a game I created?

Yes, you can copyright a game you created in Virginia. According to the United States Copyright Office, copyright protection exists for original works of authorship that are fixed in a tangible medium. This includes video games, as they are considered literary works. Copyright protection gives the author exclusive rights to a work, including the right to reproduce, distribute, and publicly display the work. In order to be eligible for copyright protection, the work must follow the criteria for originality as set by U.S. copyright law. This includes that the game must be independently created by the author, and include some creative expression. Copyright does not protect ideas or concepts; instead, it is the tangible expression of an idea that is protected. Additionally, the game must be fixed in a tangible format – such as a board game or a video game – in order to be eligible for copyright protection. In Virginia, there are additional steps you can take to ensure your copyright is protected. The U.S. Copyright Office does not require registration of a work in order for the work to be protected, but registering your work with the copyright office will provide further protections if a dispute were to arise. You can also register your copyright with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, where you can receive further protections. Overall, you can copyright a game you created in Virginia. In order to do so, the work must follow the criteria for originality as set by U.S. copyright law, and you may want to register with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or the Virginia State Corporation Commission for additional protection.

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Can I copyright a game I created?

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