Be inspired by another game. Copyright issues?

If I would be inspired by another game could that cause copyright issues?

 

Inspired to what extent? Ripping off whole characters and plot points?

 

Things to study (all three parts in the playlist):
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxKsxvLSxYq0anLvHO9EAgmqrpAJpganU

 

Most likely no. You'll be fine in most cases unless you are actually taking models/art.

 

Copying directly from a copyrighted work creates copyright issues. So inspiration, most likely you're fine. If you're not pulling a cut/paste, and not stealing characters, it is actually pretty difficult to violate copyright.

Violating trademarks though is a bit easier to accidentally do, because instead of copying directly it is concerned with whether your original work creates confusion with someone else's trademark. If your game includes a 3 legged robot with a cylinder body and a sphere head, you're likely violating Disney's trademark for R2-D2, even if your robot is otherwise a different character.

IANAL

 

Don't do what US Gold did way back in the late 80s (pre Interweb) and make a "Warts and all" clone of Super Mario, they did and Nintendo found out and sued the crap out of them for copyright infringement.