🎲 Expertise Snapshot
When it comes to board games and tabletop creations, we play for keeps. Miller IP Law understands the unique blend of creativity, mechanics, and art that makes this industry thrive. From indie card games to intricate eurogames, we help inventors, publishers, and designers secure their place on the board.
Whether you’re launching a new party game or reinventing a classic, our team navigates the twists and turns of patents, trademarks, and copyrights with the precision of a grandmaster. We don’t just read the rulebook—we help you write and protect it.
🧩 How Our Expertise Makes a Difference
Not all law firms speak “game night,” but we do. Our experience with board game IP means we anticipate common pitfalls—like copycats, knockoffs, or lookalike titles—and deploy winning strategies before trouble hits. We understand how mechanics, artwork, and names become the heart of your brand and business.
By connecting legal solutions to gameplay realities, we keep your creative work on the board and out of the discard pile. With Miller IP, you get a partner who knows that protecting your dice isn’t just a roll of the dice.
🛡️ IP Breakdown: Protecting What Matters
We help board game creators lock in rights for mechanics, artwork, game names, logos, and rulebooks—covering patents, trademarks, and copyrights for every piece on the table.
🕹️ Patents in Board Games & Tabletop Gaming
Patents in this field can cover new game mechanics, unique components, or even innovative methods of play. If your game introduces a novel system or uses technology (think interactive apps or smart pieces), a patent might give you the edge you need.
We know how to translate quirky ideas—like magnetic boards or dice towers—into patentable innovations, while also advising when something is too generic or abstract for protection. Our team helps you find the right moves, so competitors can’t just copy your clever twist on gameplay.
🏆 Trademarks in Board Games & Tabletop Gaming
Your game’s name, logo, and even certain catchphrases can be trademarked. This is crucial for building brand loyalty—nobody wants their “Settlers of Catan” moment ruined by cheap imitations. A strong trademark shields your title and visual identity from copycats, keeping your brand power intact at conventions, on shelves, and in online stores.
Miller IP helps you clear, register, and enforce trademarks so your game isn’t mistaken for a knockoff. We also guide you on brand extensions—protecting expansions, sequels, or spin-offs under your trademark umbrella.
📖 Copyrights in Board Games & Tabletop Gaming
Copyrights cover your artwork, character designs, rulebooks, and written content. If your game features original illustrations, card text, or a compelling story world, copyright stops others from copying those exact expressions.
We help you document your creative process, register your copyrights, and understand how to share or license your material without losing control. With the right copyright strategy, your game’s universe stays uniquely yours—even if the rules are out in the wild.
🏢 Real-World Business Examples
Hasbro: The giant behind classics like Monopoly and Risk relies on a mix of patents, trademarks, and copyrights to keep competitors from mimicking everything from board designs to iconic tokens. Their aggressive IP portfolio lets them expand into digital apps, movies, and merchandise.
Exploding Kittens: This indie darling exploded onto the scene with clever card mechanics and unforgettable art. They used trademarks for the game’s name, copyrights for the illustrations and cards, and even design patents to lock down unique components.
Stonemaier Games: Known for titles like Scythe and Wingspan, Stonemaier leverages trademark protection for game names and branding, along with copyrights for lavish art and lore, helping the company stand out in a crowded field.
🚀 Take the Next Step
Ready to keep your next big game idea out of the discard pile? Miller IP is here to help you play to win—every turn, every time.
