This isn't really a big deal, but I just want to point out your reference to copyright because this has been an increasingly frustrating topic for me; most people don't know the difference between copyright, trademark, and patent, and don't fully understand how these intellectual property rights apply to the game Tetris.
Changing the name has nothing to do with copyright. The protection of a logo or name falls under trademark rights.
Copyright protects "original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic and other intellectual works like computer software" from being reproduced, distributed, and sold(USPTO). But, copyright does not protect game mechanics or rules.
A Patent does for a limited time protect a game concept/idea, but Tetris game concept lies in the public domain.
So, anyone can legally make and sell a Tetris/Tetromino/falling block game.
Interesting blog article. I can't wait to see the next post.
The concept of Tetris is pretty simple; many of guys here might have written some variation of it (I myself wrote one in Z80 assembler back in college to show my crude hand-made PC could be of some use :-) The "modern" Tetris has been evolved since then, though. I didn't realize that until I had a project with the official Tetris game. There are various rules that affect gameplay in subtle ways (have you heard of SuperRotation?). It is possible that somebody who is very good at the "good old" Tetris will not be good at the modern Tetris. I assume that's why the Tetris Company wants to define "The Tetris" to make sure people who play do play the same game. On what legal basis they do that, I don't know and that's why I'm curious where you'll go.
I will definitely get to your questions in my blog.
You're right. There are many novel and exciting ways to play tetromino games including network, combo, 4D, special block game play and much more. The concept is ever-evolving. But this is not solely due to the ingenuity of gaming companies to which the Tetris company grants use of their trademark.
Have you heard of TetriNET? Its a tetromino game that incorporates network game play and special blocks. It was released in 1997 and was the first tetromino game of its kind. Since then it has had many problems with the Tetris Company which has tried to shut it down. Interestingly though, in 1999, a new version of Tetris was released featuring “magical blocks” and two player game mode (The Magical Tetris Challenge).
Look all around and you will find new creative ways to play Tetromino games. Its not just “The official Tetris game” that has evolved. In fact, the official versions are usually the last ones to make modifications.
Changing the name has nothing to do with copyright. The protection of a logo or name falls under trademark rights.
Copyright protects "original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic and other intellectual works like computer software" from being reproduced, distributed, and sold(USPTO). But, copyright does not protect game mechanics or rules.
A Patent does for a limited time protect a game concept/idea, but Tetris game concept lies in the public domain.
So, anyone can legally make and sell a Tetris/Tetromino/falling block game.
I am starting a blog series (http://desiree47.wordpress.com/2008/11/19/tetris-and-intelle...) covering IP, the Tetris Company, and iPhone Tetromino games. I have only covered patent law, but the rest is soon to come.