software patents theft professional-ethics
Developing similar apps, games, etc. on Google Play Store or App Store
<p>I am planning to develop similar apps, games, etc., which may free or non-free, on Google Play Store or App Store and to earn money with methods such as ads, sale on same stores, etc.</p>
<p>To be clearer I'll develop <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cf.mathgamesmentalcalculationmathematics" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this one</a>, after seeing <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.miniklerogreniyor.quiz.kids.math" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this one</a> : )</p>
<p>However, I don't know whether they are patented or it is considered as non-ethical, copy, theft, plagiarism, etc. and I see tons of similar apps, games, etc. on these stores.</p>
<p>What should I think in this case?</p>
<p>Is it legal what I am planning?</p>

<p>It depends what you copy. It's worth noting that it doesn't matter whether or how you make money off of this.</p>
<p>Apps on the Play Store are likely to be copyrighted. They may also include trademarks.</p>
<p>However, &quot;ideas&quot; cannot be copyrighted, only actual works. Game mechanics themselves are also not copyrightable (this is a good thing- imagine if no company was allowed to make an fps because Doom exists).</p>
<p>If you want to make a game about flinging things at little forts to collapse them on the people inside, go for it. The fact that it is a clone of Angry Birds would not be enough for Rovio to sue you.</p>
<p>There are copyrighted or trademarked aspects of games that you would need to avoid, including (this is by no means exhaustive):</p>
<ul>
<li>Sprites and other artwork</li>
<li>Music and sound effects</li>
<li>Titles (trademarked)</li>
<li>Characters (trademarked)</li>
<li>Dialogue</li>
<li>Game code</li>
</ul>
<p>Note that this only applies to the legal aspect. App stores may have other policies which are beyond the scope of this site.</p>
