Technical information

Sega Saturn Software Development Standards, SOA version 2.0 44
Appendix 1:
Sega Saturn Game Content, Trademark
and Copyright Standards
Since Sega Saturn software applications are consumer products used in the
average home, care should be taken to not include any content that may be
offensive to the user as well as content that may infringe upon the legal rights
of a third party. Note that these standards are by no means comprehensive in
its scope. Use the guidelines contained in this document along with
publications from organizations such as the Entertainment Software Rating
Board (ESRB) to judge whether content materials are appropriate for
inclusion in the product.
Important! To prevent the sales of software considered to be excessively violent (or
graphic) in nature to children 13 (or 17) years and younger, Sega requires the
display of ESRB software rating labels on the packages of all Sega Saturn
software applications.
Care must also be taken avoid intentional or unintentional infringement of
intellectual properties, copyrights, trademarks, etc. of third parties in the
content used to develop games (such as graphics, sound, software, and game
design).
1. Avoiding Legal Problems in Application
Content
Take precautions to avoid infringing on the rights of third parties in
game designs, software, graphics, sounds, etc., such as:
• Infringement of third party copyrights, rights to images, property
rights, patents, trademarks, ideas and other rights. Examples of
infringement include the use of manufacturer, product and
character names; images, photographs, likenesses; designs,
markings; songs, digital audio samples, etc. without permission.
• Applicable to Sega brand products ONLY: Do not incorporate
trade-marks, images or pictures of specific products, other
companies’ logos or phrases or words associated with a company
other than Sega without written approval from the Sega legal
department.
• Unfair competitive practices that may have negative impact or
injure third parties. Examples include the use of look-alike
products, look-alike characters, look-alike designs, etc.
• Defamation of character or invasion of privacy of third parties.