You can't copyright or patent game rules I think.
If you write the specs down, then you'd be copyrighting that text, but not the ideas.
As for my opinion, I think its very lame and stuff like that shouldn't be allowed to be restricted. If you're very selfish, you'd probably only make people never experience your special multiplayer concept because of the lack of games using it. Its a very american way of looking at stuff, and does NOTHING good for mankind.
Think of your kids, and their kids. When they grow up, they would probably not be allowed simple street games anymore since someone owns the rights to it. Thats not the way to go in my opinion.
If you write the specs down, then you'd be copyrighting that text, but not the ideas.
As for my opinion, I think its very lame and stuff like that shouldn't be allowed to be restricted. If you're very selfish, you'd probably only make people never experience your special multiplayer concept because of the lack of games using it. Its a very american way of looking at stuff, and does NOTHING good for mankind.
Think of your kids, and their kids. When they grow up, they would probably not be allowed simple street games anymore since someone owns the rights to it. Thats not the way to go in my opinion.