Are there copyright or trademark protections for game titles and characters?

Yes, copyright and trademark protections are available for game titles and characters in Oregon. Copyright law protects the original expression of ideas in an artistic or creative work, including digital games and computer software. Thus, the actual computer code, artwork, and other original expressions of a game can be protected by copyright law. Similarly, trademark protection can be available for game titles, characters, or other unique elements related to the game. This helps to prevent other people from using the same, or confusingly similar, trademarks in connection with their own games. In Oregon, trademarks can be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Such registration offers important legal protections. It creates a presumption of ownership and prevents others from using the same, or a confusingly similar, mark with goods or services that are related to the same type of business. Additionally, registration can help to protect the trademark from being used in other states. Thus, to protect their games, game developers should consider both copyright and trademark protections. Doing so can help guard against competitors using the same or similar titles and characters to create their own games, as well as protect the game from use in other states.

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Are there copyright or trademark protections for game titles and characters?

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