How is it these guys can use Bejeweled! graphics?

[WauloK]

http://www.palmgamingworld.com/puzzle/magicblocks.shtml

http://www.palmgamingworld.com/images/games/puzzle/magicblocks.gif

Isn\'t there some sort of copyright on them?

[Howard]

The graphics are similar, but they are not direct copies.

Its an obvious clone, and that\'s fairly low, but not technically illegal unless the binaries are lifted directly, or there is useof some trademarked name.

Howard.

[WauloK]

That sux that they would so blatantly steal the graphics after you all go to so much hard work to produce a game.

At least we will all know which is the far superior version ;)

NOW GO AWAY OR I SHALL TAUNT YOU A SECOND TIME!

[Massman82]

Copies never do as well as originals, though they will take away sales :(

[Terryfic]

Umm, actually back in 1992 -- that\'s 10 years ago folks -- a couple of programmers released Jewelbox with the same jewels. The play was a little different, with dropping jewels, but it has a nice oundtrack and just as addictive as Bejeweled. So who\'s copying whom here?

http://www.terryfic.com/stuff/jewelbox.gif

[Howard]

Interesting!

That looks very much more like Gem Drop than Bejeweled. Uncannily so, I would say...

Although I wouldn\'t presume to speak for GameHouse or PopCap, I would suggest that games of similar types arriving are a case of convergent evolution, rather than deliberate copying! (Though it is *very* close...)

(This is in contrast to the Bejeweled clones arriving on the Palm and Pocket PC over the last year, which are rather more obviously cloned)

As I said before, names and graphics (and binaries) are matters for infringement - and there isn\'t a problem of that sort here. But certainly is interesting....

[Terryfic]

Yes, JewelBox (for the Mac... not sure if they ever made a PC version) spawned a lot of clones, just like Tetris did. I guess the point I was making was that jewels, as a puzzle icon, are not exactly non-obvious, in patent-speak. After all, if you\'re trying to come up with a real-world object that comes in a variety of shapes (gotta think about monochrome) and colors, your choices are limited (jewels, flowers, ?). Jewels make a lot more sense than say, smiley faces, especially since they convey value and rarity. And given the limitations of a 16 pixel square, just how many ways can you actually design a variety of them?

The original poster shouldn\'t have complained so much about the graphics. Should\'ve complained if the play were the same though.

Jewelbox and Bejeweled are both are great games; paid for them both, too.

[WauloK]

And again:


http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&jid=1536AF57EDFC785BF914D5X2E7EF1D24&platformId=2&productType=2&catalog=0§ionId=0&productId=44232

http://www.handango.com/include/pictures/131934/cezoom0-ppc.gif

Gordon Bennett!!!

[Howard]

The cheek of it...

I\'ve asked Handango to remove that one too.

Would you believe that the product description on it is literally word for word lifted from what I wrote for the Diamond Mine product description. I thought it looked familiar...

I really am amazed of the level of cheek here. I\'m just flabberghasted!

[WauloK]

Astraware has the biggest Software company support I\'ve ever seen! It\'s like a cult following :)

[Cheryl]

Unbelievable!! The nerve of some people. I feel sorry for the poor schmucks that don\'t know about AW.... they will never experience superior gaming ;)

[Massman82]

www.pdarcade.com has this on their front page!! :(:(:(

[Howard]

www.pdarcade.com has this on their front page!! :(:(:(

My email to the webmaster of the site: (Subject \"IP Theft, and my annoyance\")


Hello Ben,

I would like to point out my extreme displeasure at you listing \"Jewel Brake\" on the top and front of PDArcade.

Jewel Brake has stolen the web graphics *directly* from the web version of Bejeweled, and more than unbelievably, the developer has even stolen my exact wordage of the game description for the game.

By advertising that the program is available, and even worse contrasting the price of $5 to Diamond Mine\'s $15, (You can bet that they aren\'t paying anyone else for the privilege of using the graphics or concept as Astraware rightly does) you are actively condoning IP theft. I do not find this acceptable or pleasing.

I hope you will reconsider strongly. I don\'t expect any kind of special consideration against any of my competition, and I\'m pleased that you\'re showing the latest software from Beiks, etc, but this is beyond the line, and you should know it.

Please let me know your considered opinion and position.

Best Regards,

Howard.

[WauloK]

(see if anyone knows where that quote is from ;) )

Good on you! :)

[Howard]

Good on you! :)
Cheers, Bruce :)

[Howard]

Note - very quick reply received from Ben, apologising for the mistake, and having removed the article. Well done to PDArcade (who definitely don\'t condone theft, I must stress!)

Thanks for spotting and letting me know about the post and the product - its great to know how many extra pairs of eyes we have :)

Howard.

[BenT]

Yes....the post was made however deleted rather fast! I didnt agree with that post at all. It should have never been posted as news. It has been taken care of and we will not support ANYONE trying to steal ANYONES work ;)

[Cheryl]

Bravo to PDArcade!!

[Massman82]

Great job. Nice fast, responce. Just like Astraware :)