Date: May 2001
Subject: Game Engine Patents
From: Amit Chatterjee

How do patents work on game engines? For example, I've noticed that the engine that Activision uses for their game Tenchu is very similar to the engine used in the Tomb Raider series by Eidos. Could this be a potential problem for Activision, as Eidos is likely to already have the patent on the engine? When I say the engines are similar, I mean that the Tenchu engine runs almost exactly as the Tomb Raider engine does. Some modifications have been made, but the Tomb Raider engine is superior (more complex) to that of Tenchu. Suppose Activision gained certain "inspirations" from Tomb Raider and re-created some of the engine's properties on their own. Would that create a problem as far the patent is concerned? Activision has not, that I've heard, credited Eidos in any way for their engine in Tenchu.

Sincerely,
Amit

Hi Amit,

I actually don't know much of anything about patents and gaming. However, I think it would be great if we posted your query to our readers to see if any of them have any further ideas.

Tim O'Reilly

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