Would this be Illegal (Copywrite)

Using one or two formulas should not be illegal but using the spell list is probably (unless they only have generic spell names and description). If you take a D&D example, you can't reuse the name of any Mordenkeinen spells (and I'm not even sure you can use the spell effect) but a fireball is OK.

Anyway, I strongly prevent you to reuse an existing system - even if there exist a very good description of such system. Some parts of the system might be governed by copyright laws, making most existing game systems impossible to reuse. Adding stuff to the game system only creates a derived work which is still protected by the copyright of the original game system.

Creating a game system is not that complex - it just takes some time to balance it well. Balancing is not very complex though - you must verify your assumption on paper (for exemple, a level 1 player will hit a level 5 player with the same equipement only X% of the time - does my system makes this possible?). Be also aware that having a lot of skills implies having some way to test them (it make no sense from a game point of view to have a "spot objects" skill if the gameplay says that you search objects by opening containers; games are filled with this). Just remember to make it simple (the more complex the system is, the more complex its implementation will be, and you probably want to keep the implementation simple).

Regards,

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Original post by Anonymous Poster I wouldn't worry much. If this stuff was copyrightable, all current FPS games would owe loads of cash to id software.

He didn't ask if creating a system somewhat similar to UO's would be illegal, he asked if using their content would be, and it's. Could you mention just one FPS (of course not one created by ID) game using ID's weapons or monsters?

Some individual names and graphical representations might be trademarked/copyrighted (For example, TSR/WOTC may have a trademark on "Magic Missile"). I do not believe Origin/EA has a patent on the UO PvP system, nor do I suspect you'd receive any trouble from the USPTO trying to patent it yourself.

Generally I'd advocate just starting over in terms of items/spells/weapons/etc.

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No, he asked if he could use ideas from the game, not copy the actual files. As you might be aware, ideas are not copyrightable, only manifestations thereof (the actual files).

He said:

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Original post by LedL0af My question is this, would it be illegal to take the same skills/formulas/and spells from Ultima Online and implement them into my game. ... Anyways I was trying to use the exact formulas, all the spells + some obvious created ones, and all the skills + some more.

Skills, formulas and spells aren't just ideas, they are content just like images. Of course there won't be a problem if he implements a fireball spell, but if he actually copies large lists of spells he could get into trouble.

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Original post by Anonymous Poster No, he asked if he could use ideas from the game, not copy the actual files. As you might be aware, ideas are not copyrightable, only manifestations thereof (the actual files).

Ahem, may I call your attention to the terms "Derivative works", "Trademark" and "Trade dress", all of which might apply in this situation.

The OP specifically stated "containing every detail you could think of about the game ... take the same skills/formulas/and spells from Ultima Online ... Anyways I was trying to use the exact formulas, all the spells + some obvious created ones, and all the skills + some more."

Copying things that are distinctive about the game is a big no-no. Including all or most of their items probably makes your a derivative work. Directly copying their formulas may be a violation of several other IP laws, or might not. It is much better to come up with a system on your own.

Copyright law just one of *many* IP laws involved. Check with a competent lawyer about it before you decide to make it available to the public.

Well the spell LIST is pretty damn basic if you ask me. I would probably just rename them to something different. Example of spells names are like Fireball,Explosion,Energy Bolt, Lightning,Poison, Greater Heal, Cure, Heal I mean it really doesnt get much basic then that. But the strong problem is the formulas which do the delay of the spell (to make combos) the damage. Each player gets a skill cap of 700 points. These 700 points can be assigned to the 65 skills avaiable in the game. Mining, Taming, Magery, Swordmanship...very basic names. Anyways thanks for your replys hope you have some more because I still am confused on the answer haha.

[Edited by - LedL0af on August 31, 2006 12:18:04 PM]