[lvh]

A word clock is a concept that requires patent protection, not a copyrightable expression.

[matt_the_bass]

Lots of people that have seen my work have said "you should patent that!"

I don't see anything that is obviously patentable to my wordclock design or others that I've seen. IANAL but I do hold 4 patents (and other pending) in other domains so I have a little bit of experience.

[lvh]

Oh, sure: I was just clarifying that copyright doesn't help here. Honestly I think it'd be a silly patent? But USPTO grants lots of silly patents.

[general8bitso]

Again, I disagree.

The original wordclock concept was based on a piece of artwork.

As being artwork, the artist creator is afforded the protections of copyright.

[matt_the_bass]

ahh, got it. Thanks for the clarification.

[general8bitso]

It may be worth your time to consult with a real intellectual property attorney, not us HN IP fanboys.

You have alot of time and money involved in this endeavor.

[general8bitso]

I mean copyright, not patent.

The original concept is based on the artwork of a particular artist and their company.

[general8bitso]

Mot if it is based on an original work of art.