Protection of video game mechanics through the patentability of software
| Autor | Héctor Camilo Herrera González |
| Cargo | Abogado de la Universidad del Rosario |
| Páginas | 69-93 |
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*
abstract
Video games have grown to become one of the most important industries in the
world. They combine a wide range of creative, industrial and technological ele-
ments, so we can define video games as complex works that can embody multiple
intellectual creations. Nevertheless, many professional have assumed that the
copyright system is the only one that applies in the case of the legal protection of
the systems through which the players interact with a game, referred to as “video
game mechanics”. This position leaves aside other options that could offer their
own benefits and even circumvent existing legal loopholes. This paper explores the
possibility of the use of the patent law system, with its own limitations, in order
to protect those video game mechanics.
Keywords: Video games, mechanics, patents, copyright, technical problem, idea-
expression, computer-implemented inventions.
* Abogado de la Universidad del Rosario. Cuenta con una Maestría en Propiedad In-
telectual de la Università degli Studi di Torino en asociación con la Organización Mundial
de la Propiedad Intelectual (OMPI). Participó como becario en el programa “Improved
Intellectual Property System for Promoting Direct Investment from Oversea”, ofrecido por
la Agencia de Cooperación Internacional del Japón – jica. Se desempeñó como abogado
de la Oficina Asesora Jurídica de la Dirección Nacional de Derecho de Autor y exami-
nador de marcas del Grupo de Oposiciones y Cancelaciones de la Dirección de Signos
Distintivos de la Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio. Contacto: herrera890824@
gmail.com. Bogotá D. C. (Colombia). Fecha de recepción: 12 de marzo de 2019. Fecha
de aceptación: 17 de abril de 2019. Para citar el artículo: Herrera González, H. C.
“Protection of Video Game Mechanics Through the Patentability of Software”, Revista
La Propiedad Inmaterial n.º 27, Universidad Externado de Colombia, enero-junio 2019,
pp. 69-93. doi: https://doi.org/10.18601/16571959.n27.03
protection of video game
mechanics through the patentability
of software
70
.º 27 - -ju 2019 - . 69 - 93
Héctor Camilo Herrera González
protección de mecánicas de videojuegos
mediante la patentabilidad del
software
resumen
Los videojuegos constituyen una de las industrias más importantes del mundo.
Actualmente, combinan una amplia gama de elementos creativos, industriales y
tecnológicos por lo que se puede definir los videojuegos como creaciones complejas
que logran incorporar múltiples creaciones del intelecto humano. Sin embargo,
muchos profesionales han asumido que el sistema de derechos de autor es el único
que se aplica en el caso de la protección legal de los sistemas a través de los cuales
los jugadores interactúan con un juego, denominados como “mecánicas de video-
juegos”. Esta posición deja de lado otras opciones que podrían ofrecer sus propios
beneficios e incluso evitar las lagunas legales que existen en la actualidad. Este
documento explora la posibilidad del uso del sistema de patentes, con sus propias
limitaciones, para proteger dichas mecánicas de videojuegos.
Palabras clave: videojuegos, mecánicas, patentes, derecho de autor, problema téc-
nico, idea-expresión, invenciones implementadas por computador.
introduction
video games, a consolidated industry
During the decade of the 1950s, video games were created using the technology
of the Cold War1, as a mix of innovation and curiosity, driven by dreams of en-
gineers, artists and entrepreneurs; all of whom were interested in creating a new
form of entertainment. The main attraction of these games were the interactivity
they provided, which meant that the decisions and actions of the player deter-
mined how the story was to unfold. Humankind is no longer a passive observer
of media; instead, as a general rule in video games, consumers have become ac-
tive participants of the history chosen. This innovation is still present in today’s
video games, turning them into the biggest revolution in the industry of human
entertainment. As Greenspan established, “Unlike the film industry, which has a
1 Video games were born in the late 50’s. This new media was a child of the Space
Race and the Cold War. The intimate relationship between the Cold War and video games
can be seen with the different types of games that come out during the highs and lows
of Soviet-American relations. (…) In 1962, a handful of the earliest programmers at mit
created one the first computer video game, Spacewar!. The team of Wayne Witanen, Alan
Kotok, Dan Edwards, Peter Samson, J. Martin Graetz and Steve “Slug” Russell began
working on Spacewar! After they gained access to a pdpx1, a brand new microcomputer.
David Hussey. Cold War Kids: The Space Race, Cold War and Video Games. Uni-
versity of Waterloo, Faculty of Arts (2013) https://thegaminghistorian.files.wordpress.
com/2014/04/coldwar.pdf. 1-2.
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