Copyright laws regarding using the suffix of an established Brand name
<p>I'm a copywriter with a flair in creating games for children. </p>

<p>I'm working for hire to create a board game in the lines of Monopoly without using any of their copyrighted terms like "Go to jail" etc. The format is the same with 9 steps on each side and four square zones for special situations. And some play money (or value-cards) for trading.</p>

<p>However, my client does want to use the "poly" in the name. </p>

<p>I have a game named Earth-o-poly on the environment. I wonder if they have had to go through the process of obtaining written permission or paying royalty of some sort.</p>

<p>What if my client created an XXXXpoly game and have a regular board game where players don't have play money but some kind of cards to hold on to and pay taxes or pay fines etc.</p>

<p>So, summing up, here are my questions:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Is it a  coypright infringement if the generic format is used and XXXXpoly is used?</p></li>
<li><p>What if the format is hugely modified/changed but we only keep the "poly" suffix?</p></li>
<li><p>Is it extremely expensive to negotiate and pay a fee to them to get the permission?</p></li>
<li><p>Is there anything else I should keep in mind and didn't ask here?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks, in advance, for your responses.</p>

<ol>
<li>No, it’s not copyright infringement - it’s trademark violation. It seems that your intent is to associate your game with the game Monopoly which is a trademark of Parker Brothers. Notwithstanding intent, if your choice has that <em>effect</em> then Parker Brothers can (and probably will) sue and win.</li>
<li>Ditto. If the game is clearly derived from Monopoly then that is also a copyright violation.</li>
<li>Possibly prohibitively so.</li>
<li>Yes.</li>
</ol>

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