I made a software version of a semi-popular board game for free. Is that legal?
<p>All the code is 100% my own - I made it for practice, and to showcase my abilities to potential employers. To facilitate this, I want to release the code open source on GitHub. </p>

<p>I credit the game's designer in the opening menu, and use the title in my title. Surely since I'm not running adds on the site I plan to host it on, or monetize it in any way, I should't be in any legal trouble?</p>

<p>Thought I'd ask first. 
What kind of licence would I use?</p>

<p>Unless the game is out of copyright, e.g. chess, snakes and ladders, Go, or checkers, your software would probably be considered a derivative work of the copyrighted game and an actionable infringement.</p>

<p>The fact that you do not monetize it is not a defense.</p>

<p>You would need written permission in the form of a license agreement from the copyright owner to do this legally. The penalties for violating copyright laws in this way could be punishingly serious.</p>

copyright software licensing canada