I'm a Clone, You're a Clone, Clones Everywhere!

Pillsbury's Virtual World's Team has recently commented on a federal court decision finding in favor of the owner of "Tetris" against Xio Interactive, Inc., the maker of a similar falling block game called "Mino".  In its post, the team advocates a dual pronged strategy of intellectual property protection through both patent and copyright law.

Game Cloning Can be Stopped!

Intellectual property protection and enforcement is of paramount importance especially with the growth of Apple's app store distribution platform.  Although the distribution platform allows developers of "indie" games to better connect with the consumer, it also allows for hundreds of game clones from various territories like China to flood the market. 

Mario Kart Wii Clone from China

App Clone Uploaded from Vietnam

Unfortunately, many of these small developers are completely unaware of how to remedy the existence of a game clone on the market.  Further, with each passing day there is the greater likelihood that a consumer will accidentally purchase the clone causing widespread consumer confusion.

At least during the initial screening of an application, Apple should have stronger safeguards in place.