This got me wondering about Super Tux

[LinuxFox]

I remember playing Super Tux on both Windows and Ubuntu, and its Super Mario style got me thinking. Could Nintendo shut down the game because it plays like Super Mario? The game plays like a Mario game.

It just had me wondering. I know it's an original game with a different plot, levels, and characters, but still being a clone just makes me wonder.

What does everyone else think?

[kspncr]

I don't think so. There are thousands of games that play like Mario. If Nintendo could shut down SuperTux, they'd pretty much have to shut down every side-scroller there is.

[Grant A.]

I don't think so. There are thousands of games that play like Mario. If Nintendo could shut down SuperTux, they'd pretty much have to shut down every side-scroller there is.

Not just that, the developers could probably protect it under the U.S. Fair Use Act as a parody.

[LinuxFox]

Not just that, the developers could probably protect it under the U.S. Fair Use Act as a parody.I never thought of Super Tux as a parody in the sense of parody (funny). I just know it plays just like Mario.

Every other side-scroller is a Mario clone? I thought it had to have the elements. Like coins, ? Blocks, etc

Though I'd hate to see something happen to the game, I think it's great for everyone.

[DirtDawg]

I wouldn't worry about it. If the creators of Bejeweled (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bejeweled) can't even get Gweled (http://sebdelestaing.free.fr/gweled/) shut down, Super Tux should be fine.

[LinuxFox]

I wouldn't worry about it. If the creators of Bejeweled (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bejeweled) can't even get Gweled (http://sebdelestaing.free.fr/gweled/) shut down, Super Tux should be fine.They actually tried to shut down a clone of their game, and lost. Is there an article about this?

[DirtDawg]

They actually tried to shut down a clone of their game, and lost. Is there an article about this?

I'm not sure there's an article or not. I tripped over a mailing list one day where there was a discussion about copyright infringement but lord only knows where I saw that (this is the age of the internet after all). Still, just look at the Bejeweled wikipedia page I linked to above. There's an entire section about clones, most of which look commercial.

I'm no lawyer, but my guess is game developers have about as much chance of securing intellectual rights concerning rules as a craftsman does securing intellectual rights on chairs with four legs.