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1 Answer | Asked in Gaming, Copyright, Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Georgia on
Q: Can I use parts identical to LEGO parts (non-patented/expired) in a commercial virtual reality game?

The parts are sourced from an online community (LDraw.com) that models the LEGO parts in 3D attempting to digitally archive the LEGO parts, so they are as close to the original as possible. I am attempting to create a virtual reality game where these parts can be built in a similar way (but in a... Read more »

Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta answered on Apr 27, 2020

It will depend on what parts you are referring to.

If they are the ones out of protection, you could use them. But you need to make sure they do not have other protections, common law or statutory.

You should definitely consult an attorney to be better guided.

Marcos...
Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Gaming, Consumer Law and Criminal Law for California on
Q: If someone sells a fake cheat program (say, for a video game) to a cheater, could they technically sue for false advert?

I was watching a YouTube video where a programmer created a cheat software, but instead of it helping the player cheat, it actually punishes the cheater instead. (I'll post the link below, if you're curious about watching it. Pretty entertaining if you play PUBG)

Someone in the comments... Read more »

Dale S. Gribow
Dale S. Gribow answered on Apr 21, 2020

more info needed.

however, anyone can sue for anything at any time.

the issue will be that a lawyer is not going to take a civil case like this on a contingency.

if you can get the police involved then they can investigate and the DA could prosecute.

1 Answer | Asked in Gaming for Wisconsin on
Q: Are there any legal issues with running an online trivia game as a fundraiser?

I am an employee of a tax-exempt Catholic Parish in Wisconsin. I am considering doing a series of trivia nights through an online platform during COVID-19. These would be to raise money for the youth group, the mission club, etc. There would be an entry fee paid by credit card or debit card... Read more »

Jason Brooks
Jason Brooks answered on Apr 8, 2020

There is more to it than this, but generally, there are specific state and federal rules against hosting a lottery (i.e. a game of chance). If you're hosting a game of "chance" (as opposed to one of skill) there must be a "No purchase necessary to Play" option for EVERYONE eligible to play.... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Gaming for New York on
Q: Is it legal to play video games with a teacher online? In New York
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar answered on Apr 8, 2020

It's unlikely that any statute would address this. It's more likely to be addressed, if at all, (expressly or impliedly) by individual policies of teaching institutions in their faculty handbooks or student handbooks. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

2 Answers | Asked in Gaming and Trademark for Florida on
Q: My company makes games for its benefit. Others buy/download our games. Would we use a trade or servicemark for our brand

Unsure if I should use Class 09 or Class 42 for my company's brand name. Is making the video games I want to make, but then selling and/or offering them to be played by others considered a service for others?

Evelyn Suero
Evelyn Suero answered on Apr 7, 2020

The answer to your question depends on the specifics of your business. However generally speaking, a trademark symbol is used to identify the source of 'products/goods' that you are selling; and a service mark is used to identify the source of a 'service'. For example, when a potential customer... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Gaming for Texas on
Q: I had my cruise control on 63. The police officer said I was going 72 according to the radar gun. Could radar be wrong

According to the radar gun I was going 72 in a 60. I had my cruise control on 63 going uphill. So i got a ticket for speeding. I also had a passenger in the car and the officer put on the ticket i had no passenger. He also put my wrong address down on the ticket. Could I take the ticket to court to... Read more »

Mark Hurt
Mark Hurt answered on Apr 1, 2020

It is unlikely that the radar that the officer was using was not functioning properly; it would also be difficult to prove this in court as well. If you believe that you were not going as fast as the officer cited you for, I would recommend getting your speedometer calibrated on your vehicle. If... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Gaming for Arizona on
Q: I live in Arizona. I have 2 non violent felonies(20 years ago). Can I purchase, own or possess a black powder pistol?
Stewart Salwin
Stewart Salwin answered on Mar 25, 2020

When you are convicted of a felony in Arizona, some of your civil liberties will be suspended. You will lose your right to vote, the right to hold public office, the right to serve as a juror, and, yes, the right to possess a gun. A felony conviction may also prevent a person from obtaining... Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Entertainment / Sports, Gaming and Trademark on
Q: We are indie game developer from Egypt, we have issue with HASBRO the holder of Monopoly trademark?

Hello,

we little startup game developers located in Egypt we had android app on Google Play Called "MONOPOLY LITE" and it is different from Monopoly.

Hesbro lawyer reported copyright MONOPOLY, US, 0326723

Google Play Destroyed our startup business for this claim

we... Read more »

Robyn T. Williams
Robyn T. Williams answered on Feb 22, 2020

It sounds like Hasbro reported you for trademark infringement. The answer to your question requires review of all of the facts. Email me at [email protected] to set up a call to discuss.

Robyn T. Williams, Esq.

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Entertainment / Sports and Gaming for California on
Q: Suing a game for fraud or getting back my payments!

Hello! I have played a game(Brutal Age) from 2019-01-31 And have spent $45647 on this game!

This game is simply not as advertised. The first 6 to 10 months were great imo. Been down hill for a while now. I’ve found that Chinese players cheated on this game and buy packs 0.1% what normal... Read more »

Jingzhan Wang
Jingzhan Wang answered on Dec 23, 2019

who is the developer of the game? where it's located?

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports and Gaming for Pennsylvania on
Q: I am looking to take money from outside investors and bet on sports based on an algorithm I created. Is it legal in PA?

There is a law in Nevada that allows this type of business model, however I am located in PA and was wondering if there was a way to make this work from here. I would receive money from investors, and place bets strictly off of my algorithm with no input whatsoever from the investors. I would... Read more »

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing answered on Oct 22, 2019

You need to contact a business attorney as you will need paperwork to cover you in regard to claims from the investors. Anyone can give anyone else money to gamble with--that's not a violation. However you need to have disclaimers and it's not something you'd want to do off the internet.... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Federal Crimes and Gaming for Nebraska on
Q: if a child shoots people using what he sees on video games.Does the manufacturers owe duty of care to the plaintiff
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar answered on Oct 21, 2019

It would be a difficult argument to make in terms of duty of care in the context of tort law. In terms of a social duty, you raise a good point. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

2 Answers | Asked in Gaming and Copyright for North Carolina on
Q: What legal issues are there to cloning a game and "reskinning" it, akin to how monopoly clones exist everywhere?

DaVINCI EDITRICE S.R.L., VS. ZIKO GAMES, LLC, et al., in CIVIL ACTION NO. H-13-3415 cited a card game's mechanics aren't protected, I'm looking - quite literally - to copy a card game (as the defendant in the cited case) that is no longer in production by reskinning the game and removing protected... Read more »

Enrico Schaefer
Enrico Schaefer answered on Oct 15, 2019

Games can be copyrighted as can the rules. So skinning a game can cause a variety of legal issues. I would have an attorney do a detailed analysis. One fact can change the result.

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Gaming and Trademark on
Q: Can I create a game on Google Play called Spatial Temple Run? Will it infringe Temple Run trademark?
Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta answered on Sep 26, 2019

I would strongly recommend to be cautious.

You should do a search and analysis of the existing trademarks and potential risks.

Make an appointment, get a consultation before you spend money and potentially get in trouble.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Gaming for California on
Q: Property was seized during a search. I was arrested, no charges were filed. How do get my property.

No search warrant was given , detained w out Miranda rights . Personal items taken ,money, ID , family gifts. Damage to my house, and they asked for someone else before entering and searching my home. 8 machines slot machines that where off unplugged not in use in a room no money confescated... Read more »

Dale S. Gribow
Dale S. Gribow answered on Sep 24, 2019

much more info needed.

there can be legitimate reasons for all of that OR it can all be BS.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law, Entertainment / Sports and Gaming for Florida on
Q: Good Morning, What type of required licenses are required for starting an online business that may come under gambling?

I am orginally from the UK and had this business idea for over two years now I see alot of people online doing this method illegally (well in the UK you need a license to do this). I want to start a business to host these methods legally the business may come under gambling as it would be a hosting... Read more »

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick answered on Jul 30, 2019

Free practical advice offered for the last 41 years to people starting or operating small businesses: Look out.

The main difference between successful small businesses and those that fail within a relatively short period of time is good legal advice. The owners of most successful small...
Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Entertainment / Sports, Gaming and Personal Injury for California on
Q: how can we sue two companies named "EA Games" and "evenbalance" ?

Hello!

i am a gamer who plays Video games day by day.

recently i got banned by an anti cheat Company called punkbuster without any using of cheats.

while i have payed 180 $ for my game.(*** Note : i accept the price is small but it's not only me who is involved... two named... Read more »

William John Light
William John Light answered on Jul 26, 2019

Small Claims, at best.

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Entertainment / Sports, Gaming and Personal Injury on
Q: how can we sue two companies named "EA Games" and "evenbalance" ?

Hello!

i am a gamer who plays Video games day by day.

recently i got banned by an anti cheat Company called punkbuster without any using of cheats.

while i have payed 140 $ for my game. i want to sue this company for banning players for no reason.

and most important... Read more »

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick answered on Jul 24, 2019

One of the beautiful things about America is the you can sue anyone, anywhere, anytime for anything. However, you will be on your own in this situation because the amount of money involved is way too small to be of interest to most lawyers. (FYI: The law is not designed to solve every little... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Gaming for California on
Q: If I am forced to work more than 6 hours before getting my lunch break in California is that illegal?

It was recently brought to my attention that California law demands a lunch before hitting the sixth hour unless agreed upon by both parties. I have never "agreed" to work more than that without my lunch it was told to me that was the expectation. I have been working like this for most of the last... Read more »

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen answered on Jun 20, 2019

In California, a non-exempt employee is entitled to a reasonable opportunity to take a 30-minute, off-the-clock, uninterrupted and duty free meal period any time they work more than 5 hours in a shift. That meal period should be provided before the beginning of the 6th hour. If you work only 6... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Entertainment / Sports, Gaming and Tax Law for North Carolina on
Q: NC shot down a 2017 bill to legalize and tax Daily Fantasy Sports winnnings. Do i have to pay tax on winnings then?

I havent been able to get a clear answer on this. If DFS is not regulated and taxed in NC then i shouldn't have to pay state taxes on my yearly winnings right? Only Federal taxes. If so what is it taxed under and at what %

James Richard Yandle
James Richard Yandle answered on Jun 17, 2019

Wrong. The income is taxable, whether legal or not. Same as for income from embezzlement, illegal drug sales, or racketeering.

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