Tetris/pentix patents and rights

[nzdave]

I know that we can't copy tetris due to the patent it's protected by, but how have the developers who wrote pentix and pentix lite pulled it off? The only difference in game play is the number of blocks in the tetrominoes.

[LemonMeringue]

I suggest they haven't. Essentially any game with falling blocks/shapes is fair game. Every so often they will go on a purge and hunt down games which exploit/duplicate the original concept.

However, it is doubtful they will ever make out a successful case, because all they have is a concept which is not copyrightable.

This won't prevent tormenting developers.

[nzdave]

Originally Posted by LemonMeringue

I suggest they haven't. Essentially any game with falling blocks/shapes is fair game. Every so often they will go on a purge and hunt down games which exploit/duplicate the original concept.

However, it is doubtful they will ever make out a successful case, because all they have is a concept which is not copyrightable.

This won't prevent tormenting developers.

I originally thought the same, and submitted a basic version with some differences including 6 blocks (instead of 4) yesterday, and received the following rejection reply:

"Thank you for submitting Green Block Game to the App Store. We've reviewed Green Block Game and determined that we cannot post your application because it appears to contain features that bear a resemblance to a well-known third-party trademark, Tetris.

Please remember that pursuant to your agreement with Apple, you represent and warrant that your application does not infringe the rights of another party, and that you are responsible for any liability to Apple because of a claim that your application infringes another party's rights. Moreover, we may reject or remove your application for any reason, in our sole discretion.

Please provide documentary evidence that you have the rights to use this content to ensure compliance with the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement. Once Legal has reviewed your documentation and confirms its validity, we will proceed with your application review. Be aware that while your iTunes Connect Application State is displayed as Rejected, it is not necessary to upload a new binary in this particular case. However, if your application is not in compliance, and you are able to make the necessary changes, we encourage you to do so and resubmit your binary for review."

[nzdave]

Originally Posted by LemonMeringue

I suggest they haven't. Essentially any game with falling blocks/shapes is fair game. Every so often they will go on a purge and hunt down games which exploit/duplicate the original concept.

However, it is doubtful they will ever make out a successful case, because all they have is a concept which is not copyrightable.

This won't prevent tormenting developers.

This is the brief website I started setting up for the app, with a screenshot or 2, Home (GreenBlockGame)

[nzdave]

Originally Posted by nzdave

This is the brief website I started setting up for the app, with a screenshot or 2, Home (GreenBlockGame)

Just pondering to myself if I charge for the app, can they still reject it, or is it in my hands to do deal with the legal crap

[Noise]

Originally Posted by nzdave

Just pondering to myself if I charge for the app, can they still reject it, or is it in my hands to do deal with the legal crap

Making it a paid app won't make a difference.

[nzdave]

Originally Posted by Noise

Making it a paid app won't make a difference.

I just called their Aussie department, which I'm pretty sure redirects to Thailand or somewhere random, they couldn't help, and pretty much said the only way to get help is using email, one 8 minute toll call later...

"Kiora,

What details of my game are specifically infringing on the copyright protection of the Tetris Game brand?

I desperately need to know this information so that I can rectify my application to comply with the rather double standard guidelines set out for 3rd party developers"

[crabFish]

Originally Posted by nzdave

I know that we can't copy tetris due to the patent it's protected by, but how have the developers who wrote pentix and pentix lite pulled it off? The only difference in game play is the number of blocks in the tetrominoes.

I started reading this thread and found this a bit funny...

thead subject - banner to the right


Apart from that - How do you know that for instance the developers of pentix didn't have an approval to do this? Or if they fought and won? Or anything similar?
Have you asked them or asked for permission?
Not saying it is like this - just wondering if you did these things or are just assuming because something is for sale it should be possible without permission?
Apparently, since Apple says not, it's not - legal or not they just don't want the hassle - that's up to you... Perhaps it's easier to ask the devs of pentinx how they pulled it through?
Or perhaps they submitted before a certain policy concerning this was adopted and they got away with it?
Or perhaps different reviewers have different opinions?

One thing though - you shouldn't use the apps on the store as a milestone for what is possible to do... There are many factors that are at play here - and if you want to put effort into something, make sure it's ok to do so by asking the appropriate persons or companies first, otherwise you should only expect something like this to happen...

[nzdave]

Originally Posted by crabFish

I started reading this thread and found this a bit funny...

thead subject - banner to the right


Apart from that - How do you know that for instance the developers of pentix didn't have an approval to do this? Or if they fought and won? Or anything similar?
Have you asked them or asked for permission?
Not saying it is like this - just wondering if you did these things or are just assuming because something is for sale it should be possible without permission?
Apparently, since Apple says not, it's not - legal or not they just don't want the hassle - that's up to you... Perhaps it's easier to ask the devs of pentinx how they pulled it through?
Or perhaps they submitted before a certain policy concerning this was adopted and they got away with it?
Or perhaps different reviewers have different opinions?

One thing though - you shouldn't use the apps on the store as a milestone for what is possible to do... There are many factors that are at play here - and if you want to put effort into something, make sure it's ok to do so by asking the appropriate persons or companies first, otherwise you should only expect something like this to happen...

Well, between my original post and your post I did manage to get in contact with the Pentix Developer, and the keywords to getting my app on the store are ultimately 'Persistance' and 'Luck'.

1. I intend on changing the name and changing the gameplay 'slightly' and use a much more cunning generic use of english for the description of the game. Inspired by Pentix.

2. I'm going to make a few dramatic changes to the game, that I think will actually fundamentally change the gameplay alot, but still meet the two key requirements (Addictive and FUN), and submit it as a entirely new game.

Meh, as a new Developer to iPhone, my experience with the appstore hasn't exactly been professional from their end, and it looks like I've got a lot of Grey Area to take into account from now on.

[Picoman]

Maybe you could have the blocks come in from the left and/or right then drop down. I think tetris just drops straight down. In my opinion that would be enough of a change. Would be drastic either.

[nzdave]

Originally Posted by Picoman

Maybe you could have the blocks come in from the left and/or right then drop down. I think tetris just drops straight down. In my opinion that would be enough of a change. Would be drastic either.

Well if my new submittion (with its change of wording, and change to the scoring system) gets rejected, then I think I'll actually consider a sideways version

[TunaNugget]

Originally Posted by nzdave

Well if my new submittion (with its change of wording, and change to the scoring system) gets rejected, then I think I'll actually consider a sideways version

It's not YOUR fault if the stupid users tilt the screen to play.