Hey guys. I have been talking with many people in the bussines. But there is one thing that i didnt ask to any of them.... lol What about copyrights? I create a game, and a publisher sell it... i need to pay for the copyrights in all the countries? does the publisher do that? WHere can i found info about this subject? THanks

All the countries that matter are signatories to the Berne Convention, which are the basic rules of copyright. One of the nice things about it is the statement "The enjoyment and the exercise of these rights shall not be subject to any formality". The creator of the work automatically has the copyright in all signatory countries.

Repeating: You do not need to register the copyright to have the Berne Convention protections.

If you intend to actually sue somebody for copyright violation, the laws vary by where you are suing. In the US, the copyrighted work must be registered with the copyright office in order to sue somebody over it.

If you don't register you still have the rights, you just can't sue (in the US, other countries like Chile will vary). Registering when you create the work is very cheap. (I seem to remember something like $30 per instance in the series, so $30 per version.) Registering when you are suing is more expensive (I believe it was $5000 for an expidited registration), but still small compared to the court costs you will incur.

A good copyright lawyer would be able to answer all the questions if it is an actual concern rather than an idle wondering.

frob.

Thanks a lot for that information. REALY!. About the same subject... what if i wan t to sell a video game. Payed the copyrights in my country chile, but the publisher is in taiwan, and the game will be selling there... what to do? Can the publisher just take my game and throw me to the trash?

Thanks

Quote: Original post by Goguigo
what if i want to sell a video game. Payed the copyrights in my country chile, but the publisher is in taiwan, and the game will be selling there... what to do? Can the publisher just take my game and throw me to the trash?

First, reputable publishers don't do that.

Second, you should trust that your publisher will be honest.

If you can't trust your publisher, then you should find another one. Preferably find one in your own country that you can audit if you ever suspect trouble.

The only thing I know about international legal disputes is that they are very expensive. If you have specific questions about it, talk to a copyright lawyer.

frob.

k, thanks again man.

realy