Research On The Copyright Protection Of Game Works

With the development of Information Technology and Mobile Terminal, electronic games gain its popularity in society. The huge market and the potential consumers attract numerous game developers. Driven by economic benefits, some developers plagiarize competitors’ marketing copy. The illegal plagiarism violates the market order and impedes its development. Under current laws, software code of game works has been protected while interface has not. However, some running interface is worthy of attention. On one hand, the creativity of some delicate game has reached the standard of cinematographic works so that we should give the right amount of copyright protection. On the other hand, infringement disputes of game works mainly concentrate on the area of interface. We need to enact laws and regulations for adjudication.In this paper, the author introduces the meaning of works in Copyright Law and indicates that game works should be protected in Copyright Law. Besides, the author collates Chinese and American game works infringement cases and analyzes the current situation and the development tendency of the game works’ protection. Based on the research, the author discusses the idea and expressiondichotomy, merger doctrine and doctrine of scenes a faire. In accordance withthese theories and cases, we can clarify the boundary of idea and expression in game works. Furthermore, the author argues that access and substantial similarity can be considered and discussed when we judge game works is plagiarized or not. In the end, the author concludes the opinion and suggestion of protection of game works according to Copyright Law and Anti- injustice Competition Law.