Re: chess moves

On Wed, 19 Apr 2000, Harold Federow <haroldf[_at_]bsquare.com> wrote:
>
> On Wed, Apr 19, 2000, Mike Holderness <mch[_at_]cix.compulink.co.uk> wrote:
> >
> > On Mon, 17 Apr 2000, Henry McInulty <henry[_at_]mcinulty.greatxscape.net> wrote:
> > >
> > > I have developed a Childs game that uses animal shapes that move
> > > in the same way as chess pieces do. Is it permissible to adapt
> > > chess moves into another board game.
> > >
> > > Are chess moves copyrighted or patented.
> >
> > Look up the history of chess. I think you'll find that any copyright
> > or patent has long expired. :-)
> >
> > I'd not give odds, however, against someone else having patented
> > the same idea, or copyrighted an expression/description of
> > the same idea, more recently...
>
> Somehow, the notion of P-K4 P-K4 leading to a patent suit would be a
> great laugh if it weren't so possible. (Yes, I know there is a more
> modern notation, I learned this one and don't study enough to convert
> quickly)

I should have been clearer. I'd not give odds against someone having patented *the same derivation of chess* as Henry McInulty has developed.

I seem to recall vigorous defenses of M*n*p*ly derivatives...

--
Mike Holderness
http://www.poptel.org.uk/nuj/mike/
<mch[_at_]cix.compulink.co.uk>

 The proposal of any new order or regulation of commerce which comes from 
 [the dealers] ought always to be listened to with great precaution,  and 
 ought never to be adopted till after having been long examined, not only 
 with the most scrupulous, but also the most suspicious attention. 
   It comes from an order of men whose interest is never exactly the same 
 with that of the public,  who have generally an interest to deceive  and 
 even to oppress the public,  and who accordingly have on many occasions, 
 both deceived and oppressed it. 
 ---------------------[Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations, concluding Book I.]