Hi, I'm new to this forum so I'll give a brief introduction. I've been involved in the RPG for almost 5 years as a small press publisher, artist, and designer. My company, The Inner Circle, has produced one print book and several PDF Products. Recently we've had an interest in creating boardgames, so that's why I'm here. To my question...
We've been working on the concept for a new type of miniature boardgame for almost a year, and we recently stumbled on something vaguely similar that has a pending patent on it. Should we scrap our idea and start from scratch? What does a patent actually protect?
Without giving away what we are doing, the game is called Nin-Gonost and is available from Adiken. You can get info on the game of you visit: http://www.adiken.com/Nin/Nin-Gonost_en.htm You'll notice at the bottom of the page, it states they have a pending patent.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Jeffrey J. Visgaitis
The Inner Circle
www.icirclegames.com
First of all, I'm no lawyer. Second of all, I try not to be a quitter... and that'd be my advice to you, too. Don't give up on your dream. If you feel strongly about your game idea, and feel it offers unique gameplay experience to a game already on the market, go for it.
Conversely, perhaps this is an opportunity for a mutually beneficial business relationship. You may wish to contact Adiken and let them know how much you enjoy their game, and that you had been in the process of developing a comparable game -- perhaps you have ideas for rules, supplements, content or expansions they might be interested in. Who knows, stranger things have happened!