How can I find out if a game is patented?

I would like to make a computer game for people to play online, but another game that is similar to my game already exists. The games are not identical (the cards look different, some of the rules are different) but by and large the objective is the same. How can I find out if this other game is patented?

As an example, Uno is a game that I presume is patented, however there are many other games that are essentially the same game, but just have different names (Crazy 8's, etc.).

I look forward to your insight.


Thank you.

PS. In case it wasn't clear, the game I am hoping to create will be distributed as computer software.

You basically need to do a search for "prior art". This simply means searching through patents that have been issued to see if the games has already been patented.

Computer software patents are little more tricky. Have a look at http://www.patentengineers.com It has an example of a software patent, and it explains how patents protect an inventor's rights.

Scrabble was never patented and the owners made an online provider stop (and change) the online version it distributed, based upon copyright and trademark infringement.

Some games are so old that their patents would have expired, even if they had been patented. As a rule of thumb, anything that has been out there for over 20 years is no longer patented.

You can search the USPTO patents database, but it can be tricky even for experienced professionals, so you may miss something important in a related subclass.

As for "just go ahead", if it turns out your game infringes a patent, you may be liable for damages if you make, use or sell the infringing invention in the country where it's patented.

Why not just do it.

With it running let them come to you. When they do they must issue you with a notice to stop and out line their grounds.

With that in hand you can decide if their claim is reasonable.

If you stop they no longer have a claim.

her ya go
http://www.uspto.gov/