Case Precedent in Focus:Tetris Holding, LLC v. Xio Interactive, Inc. (863 F. Supp. 2d 394).
While game mechanics/rules are unprotectable ideas (17 U.S.C. § 102(b)), the expressive audiovisual elements—such as 10×20 playing field framing, piece color assignment, ghost shadows, and visual animation sequencing—constitute protected expression.
D.N.J. 2012 Precedent
Interactive Clone Testbed
Active Canvas
Score
0
Lines
0
Next Piece
Controls: ←→ Move |
↑ Rotate |
↓ Soft Drop |
Space Hard Drop
Real-Time IP Infringement Risk Ledger
Precedent Analysis: Xio 2012
84%
Infringement Likelihood
High Risk (Substantial Similarity)
Primary Liability Factor
Identical audiovisual sequence, ghost piece indicator, and block rotation animation matching Tetris Holding LLC v. Xio precedent.
Recommended Mitigation:Redesign UI theme, alter tetromino color palette, modify scoring drop mechanics, and rewrite game loop from scratch.
Tunable Expressive Parameters (Idea vs. Expression)
Ghost Piece Projection
Cited in Tetris v. Xio as expressive silhouette choice.
Full-Height Fill Boundary
Specific framing visual border design of the matrix.
Korobeiniki Chiptune Audio
Traditional Russian folk audio associated with Tetris brand.
Judicial Element Scrutiny Breakdown
Game Element
Legal Classification
Observed Status
Risk Contribution
Doctrine of Merger & Scènes à Faire in Game Clones