If somebody post here a game, for example, or a demo. Is there a protection considering the author copywrights ? How can he /she be sure that somebody else will not use his characters name or story or something else ?
PS : I make a mistake and I post is also in the beginners forum. Sorry for the mistake !
Don't cross-post in forums then, just wait for the original thread to be moved to the correct place by moderators.
Ok.
You can't be sure.
The 1000s (!) of game authors that've made games before you using AGS, were not sure as well. And actually some of these games were pure diamonds.
If you really think that your game and ideas are soooo much worthy then find a way to protect them.
i.register with a copyright office.
ii.don't post about it.
iii.don't worry really...
Think about it: check how many fan games are made! Even fan games based to freeware adventures here in AGS. For example Ben Jordan 1 has 2 fan games I believe. So what? It is an honour to Grundislav to have such a big success, no? ;)
Bottom line: If you're scared someone will ripp you off don't post! It seems kinda silly to me but it's your call in the end.
I'm pretty sure that your game won't be ripped. Because if some will just steal one of your chars you, or anyone else, will notice. And then you have the biggest right's to flame that person IMO :P Really, many people here seem to have eagle eyes. Not one cheater gets through :)
Well, I don't how applicable this is in the rest of the world, but according to the US Copyright Office (http://www.copyright.gov/), "your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device." That is, you automatically have copyright protection on anything you create. You can also register your copyright, but I'll leave it to you to take a look at their page and see what additional protection that gives you.
Also, it's important to remember that anyone creating a commercial product is not going to steal the artwork from your demo. So the only people who would potentially steal your work are not going to make any money off of it. They would be doing it mostly for their own enjoyment in making a game. That being said, unless your game is a huge success, probably no one will bother ripping you off. And if your game is a huge success, then everyone will know that they ripped you off. So there's really not much risk here.