8 replies to this topic

[Psalms23]

Just wondering how this works.. If I make a game, and someone cracks it for the source code and changes it before selling it, is there any way to stop them?

What if they simply steal your game file and sell it for themselves?

Thanks

[FatalSleep]

Just wondering how this works.. If I make a game, and someone cracks it for the source code and changes it before selling it, is there any way to stop them?

What if they simply steal your game file and sell it for themselves?

Thanks

Cracking games for their source code is illegal and I believe you can stop whomever may be stealing your code if you have any way to prove it. Now the best way to go about this is if you already have copy rights to your game(s), if not then I am not sure if you can do much about it.

I mean how are you going to prove if someone has cracked your game open or not? Its not exactly the easiest thing to do... legally that is. I guess the main reason for source code hacking is to pretty much save time and effort when making a game. If someone hacks your game and changes the code, sprites and other small tweaks. There isn't really a way I can think of to prove that they took your game and altered it unless you already have rights to everything in your game.

[sisyphus]

Just wondering how this works.. If I make a game, and someone cracks it for the source code and changes it before selling it, is there any way to stop them?

What if they simply steal your game file and sell it for themselves?

Thanks

Yes if you created/own the right to all the resources used in it. But a few points you should bear in mind:

-"Copyright only gives you rights over the actual work you’ve created; it doesn’t give you a monopoly over the idea underlying the work." (reference)

- This means that copyright protects the expression of your idea, but not necessarily the idea itself. (The law protects the physical creation youve made, but not so much the ideas behind it).

-The law is different countries have different copyright systems.

Example: in the UK copyright protection is automatic and there is no need to register the work. In the US, a work is not fully protected unless it is registered.
-So depending where you live, you will need to be aware of what the local law is.

If someone uses resources you created/own rights to then they are infinging your copyright, however as the above poster said, it can be difficult to prove.

My advice would be to not worry too much about someone stealing the game and selling it, unless it is a really awesome game, in which case, why arent you selling it?

[@Alex@]

Copyright law varies slightly from country to country. Countries that have signed the Berne Convention should all be pretty damm similar. Copyright is generally automatic on anything you create but you'll have a hard time proving this in a case of some-one selling your work..

Here's two links for referencing.

http://www.copyright...copyright_myths
http://en.wikipedia....Artistic_Works.

[chance]

Topic Title: Do we automatically own the copyright to our games
...
What if they simply steal your game file and sell it for themselves?

Your title and your post, are two different things.

1) regarding copyright, just read the pinned topic in this forum. (No reason to discuss that here.)
2) regarding theft, there's no foolproof way to stop thieves from stealing or selling your game.

But ask yourself this: is this really something I need to worry about? My advice is don't worry about it. Enjoy making games, and maybe try to selling them if they're good enough. Relax.

[Terrified Virus]

I would think you have to put the copyright symbol in front of your work ©
That way they know it is copyrighted.

[@Alex@]

I would think you have to put the copyright symbol in front of your work ©
That way they know it is copyrighted.

Strictly speaking it is not needed to have any sort of copyright notice, but it is a good practice to remind people that you own the copyright and it isn't public domain.

[GM Studios]

Just wondering how this works.. If I make a game, and someone cracks it for the source code and changes it before selling it, is there any way to stop them?

What if they simply steal your game file and sell it for themselves?

Thanks

In short there's not much you can do and your time is better spent making more games.

Its happened to one of my ios games which became available on some Chinese server can't remember if they where reselling it or giving it away. It has also happened to my html5 games where instead of linking to it they ripped if of the website and placed it on there own, kinda of pointless in my opinion since they didn't even remove the branding.

Edit: I tried to find the chinese website again but couldn't . Shame really, last time I looked a couple of people had left some valuable feedback despite the fact they effectively stole the game.

Edited by GM Studios, 09 August 2012 - 09:19 PM.

[Psalms23]

Yes, it's happened to me too with HTML5.

I'm worried about something happening with .exes.. I know with HTML5 it's easier- It pays to take precautions and try to make your game "anti-theft" if possible.

Edited by Psalms23, 11 August 2012 - 07:52 AM.