Can digital games be protected by a patent?

Yes, digital games can be protected by a patent. A patent is a form of intellectual property protection that is available in Texas and all other U.S. states. A patent provides an inventor or creator with exclusive rights to an invention or creative work for a limited period of time. This exclusive right prevents others from making, using, or selling the protected invention or work without permission. When it comes to patent protection for digital games, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will consider granting a patent for a game if it meets certain criteria. The game must be novel, have an inventive step, and possess a series of elements that make it different from previous games. The inventor must also clearly explain how to play the game. Digital games are generally granted patents under a utility patent, which grants an inventor exclusive rights to make, use, and sell their invention. However, a digital game may also be protected by a design patent, which grants exclusive rights to the design of a product or invention. In Texas, it is also possible for digital games to receive copyright protection. Copyrights grant exclusive rights to the authors of works such as digital games. It is important to note that copyright protection does not cover the game mechanics, only the expression of the game, such as the artwork or code.

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