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Patent of existing product.

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  • 30-04-2012 11:58pm
    #1
    nudger
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,449 ✭✭✭


    Sorry if this has been covered before but I was wondering can it be done by tweaking it a bit.

    As an example the board game Monopoly was brought out as a Simpsons version.

    If a person came up with the Simpson idea could you patent it and maybe then try and sell it to Monopoly LTD.


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    #2
    Pope John 11
    Registered Users Posts: 161 ✭✭Pope John 11


    nudger wrote: »
    Sorry if this has been covered before but I was wondering can it be done by tweaking it a bit.

    As an example the board game Monopoly was brought out as a Simpsons version.

    If a person came up with the Simpson idea could you patent it and maybe then try and sell it to Monopoly LTD.

    Yes, but not in the way you are thinking. My understanding is this:

    You can bring out your own Monopoly as the patent has now expired. Patents last for 20-25yrs approx.

    gamehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly_(game)

    But you cannot bring out a Simpsons type Monopoly game because the creator of The Simpsons will sue you for copyright infringement. Copyright lasts for 50 to 100 years after the creators death.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright

    Here is an interesting case for Mickey Mouse
    http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080112150907AA5nT5z


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