Home >> Internet Games >> PC Game Cheats

How to Copyright a Playing Card Game: Protect Art & Text, Not Mechanics

You cannot copyright a game mechanic or ruleset. Copyright protects expression, not ideas.

What You CAN Copyright

Artwork: Card illustrations, card backs, box art, rulebook layout.
Text: Exact wording of rules, flavor text, card names (if creative).
Graphic design: Card template, iconography, typography choices.
Code: Digital implementation (Unity/Godot project, app source).

What You CANNOT Copyright

Game rules / mechanics / procedures.
Concepts (deck-building, trick-taking, set collection, worker placement).
Functional elements (tap to rotate, draw 5, discard pile).
Generic terms ("draw," "discard," "hand," "mana," "life").

Stronger Protections

Tool	Protects	Cost/Time	Duration
Trademark	Game name, logo, tagline, trade dress (box look)	$250–350/class (USPTO); 6–18 mo	10 yr, renewable
Patent (Utility)	Novel, non-obvious mechanic/system	$10K–20K+; 2–4 yr	20 yr from filing
Patent (Design)	Ornamental design (card shape, box, board)	$2K–5K; 1–2 yr	15 yr
Trade Secret	Unpublished mechanics, algorithms, balance data	Free (NDAs, security)	Indefinite (if secret)
Copyright (Registration)	Art, text, code (enables statutory damages)	$45–125; 3–6 mo	Life + 70 yr

Practical Strategy

Trademark the name + logo — Essential for brand.
Copyright register art + rulebook PDF — Cheap, enables DMCA/lawsuits.
Patent only if truly novel mechanic — Most aren't; consult IP attorney.
Use contracts: NDAs for playtesters; licensing agreements for publishers/manufacturers.
Publish / timestamp: Itch.io, GameCrafter, Kickstarter — establishes prior art.

Key Precedent

Lewis Galoob v. Nintendo (1992): Game Genie not derivative. Tetris v. Xio (2012): "Look and feel" (expression) protected, not rules. DaVinci Editrice v. Ziko Games (2010): Bang! mechanics not copyrightable.

Protect the art, trademark the name, patent only the genuinely inventive.

PC Game Cheats