Ownership Rights for Games Created with Unity
When you create a game using Unity, you are essentially granting Unity a license to distribute and sell your game on their platform. This means that Unity has the right to profit off of your game, even if they are not actively involved in its development or distribution.
However, it is important to note that this does not mean that Unity owns your game outright. You still retain all rights to your game’s source code and can distribute it as you see fit. This means that you have the freedom to sell your game on other platforms, if you so choose.
It’s also worth noting that when you publish a game on the Unity Asset Store, you are required to comply with certain licensing terms. These terms include the requirement to give attribution to Unity in your game’s documentation and to not distribute your game in a way that violates Unity’s intellectual property rights.
Real-Life Examples of Games Created with Unity
One example of a game created with Unity that was involved in a legal dispute over ownership rights is “Flappy Bird”. In 2014, the creator of Flappy Bird, Dong Nguyen, sued Unity for $80 million, claiming that Unity had taken his game and sold it on their platform without his consent.
The lawsuit was eventually settled out of court, with Unity agreeing to pay Nguyen $15 million in damages. However, this case highlights the potential legal issues that can arise when using open-source software like Unity.
Another example of a game created with Unity is “Bridge Constructor”. This popular puzzle game was developed by Kirill Tselnikov and released on mobile devices in 2015. The game quickly gained popularity, but it was also involved in a legal dispute with Unity over ownership rights.
Tselnikov claimed that Unity had taken his game and sold it on their platform without his consent, leading to a legal battle that lasted for several years. In the end, the case was settled out of court, with Tselnikov agreeing to give Unity a percentage of the game’s profits in exchange for resolving the dispute.
Understanding Your Legal Rights as a Developer
As a developer, it is important to understand your legal rights when using open-source software like Unity. While Unity may claim some ownership rights to games created with their platform, you still retain all rights to your game’s source code and can distribute it as you see fit.
When publishing a game on the Unity Asset Store, be sure to comply with the licensing terms and give proper attribution to Unity in your game’s documentation. This will help avoid any legal disputes and ensure that you are able to profit off of your game without any issues.
FAQs
Q: Does Unity claim ownership rights to my game if I use their platform to distribute it?
No, Unity does not own your game outright. You still retain all rights to your game’s source code and can distribute it as you see fit.
Q: What happens if I publish a game on the Unity Asset Store and it becomes popular?
If your game becomes popular, Unity may claim some ownership rights to it. However, you still retain all rights to your game’s source code and can distribute it as you see fit.
Q: Can I sell my game on other platforms if I publish it on the Unity Asset Store?
Yes, you are free to sell your game on other platforms if you choose to do so.
