The Context
Every game developer dreams of creating a global hit, but that dream often comes with its share of challenges—both financial and emotional. The time and effort put into creating a game become the very foundation of its potential success. As the gaming industry continues to thrive, with digital distribution now accounting for 95% of its total revenue (with the remaining 5% being physical copies), it becomes ever more important to protect these creations. Unfortunately, where there is success, there is also temptation—leading some to exploit the hard work of others.
What We’re Protecting Against:
--> Imitation: The rise of cloned games, often with strikingly similar designs and mechanics.
--> Unauthorized Copies: The act of releasing a game under a different brand, capitalizing on another’s fame.
--> Decompiling and Repackaging: Extracting game code for unauthorized use, often hidden under a new title.
--> Piracy: Simple distribution of games without proper authorization, undermining the developers’ rights.
Countries around the world have been striving to protect creators’ intellectual property, and one of the most effective tools has been the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Enacted in 1998, the DMCA has proven its durability, continuing to shield the rights of game developers into 2025.