Dreamcast Software Development Standards

Dreamcast Software Development Standards/Ver.1.00E


24. Trademark/Copyright Notice

Care should be exercised to avoid disturbing a 3rd party's intellectual property rights or personal privacy, etc. as described below.

Do not infringe on a 3rd party's copyrights, portrait rights, property rights, patents, trademarks, designs or other rights by using without obtaining the permission of the maker or owner of the product, character names, photos portraits, designs, marks, music and etc.

Do not take any uncompetitive action that would damage a 3rd party, such as using similar products, characters, designs, etc.

Do not defame the character or infringe the privacy of a 3rd party.

24.1 Actual Trademark Examples

The following are examples of actual registered trademarks (including pending trademarks) that must not be used in titles.

"Role Playing"    Old Classification 24, Koichi Sato, Feb. 28, 1996

"RPG" is a trademark of Bandai (KK), from whom we have received permission for use. When using it, do not use as a common noun, and do indicate that it is a trademark.

When "RPG" is used in printed matter, it must be enclosed in single or double quotation marks.

A notation that "RPG" is a trademark of Bandai (KK) must appear in the bottom margin.

24.2 Examples of Infringement of Intellectual Property Rights

Following are example cases that can result in claims by 3rd parties of use of their intellectual property without permission.

24.2.1 Claims Related to Trade Names and Trademarks

In a game, depicting advertising billboards at event sites such as baseball games, auto races and soccer matches that show trade names and trademarks without permission of the owners of those names and marks.

In auto racing, soccer and other sports games, depicting names of sponsors and their symbols without first obtaining permission.

24.2.2 Claims Related to Copyrights, Designs and Others

In an auto racing game, using a photo taken by a 3rd party as a background image during a game without first obtaining permission of the photographer.

Using characters from movies, cartoons and other productions in a game, either as is or partially modified, without first obtaining permission of the copyright owner or author of the original production.

In a baseball game, soccer and other sports games, depicting team uniforms without first obtaining permission of the team's association.

In an auto racing game, depicting an image of a real car without first obtaining permission of the car manufacturer.

24.2.3 Claims Related to Portrait Rights, Publicity Rights, etc.

Depicting the face of a famous person as is or in caricature in a baseball, auto racing, soccer or other sports game without first obtaining permission of the person or the managing association. The same condition applies to use of names of famous players or other names without first obtaining permission of the person or the managing association.



Dreamcast Software Development Standards


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