Looney Labs Icehouse Mailing list Archive

Re: [Icehouse] Treehouse Chutes & Ladders

  • FromDale Newfield <dale@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • DateWed, 01 Jul 2009 10:46:54 -0400
Chris Goodwin wrote:
Bryan Stout wrote:
3.  Are there any problems that come from using pyramids with a
commercial game?  Should I not post it on the Wiki at all, or post it
with an acknowledgment of the copyright, or get their permission
first, or what?
Chutes & Ladders is a commercial game, true. However, the game upon which it is based, Snakes & Ladders, dates back to the 16th century (according to Wikipedia).

You're both right. The game itself (concept, rules) cannot be under copyright, but specific publications' artwork (and even specific formulations of rules) can (if originally published within <mumble> years).

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/images/thing/5432 has plenty of art that must be old enough to be in the public domain if you want to include some example boards on your page.

-Dale