{
  "patent_number": "US 2026082",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How the Board Game Monopoly Works",
  "original_title": "Board game apparatus",
  "summary": "The 1935 patent for the board game Monopoly, covering the layout of spaces and the rules for moving tokens around a track to buy and trade property.",
  "what_it_does": "The patent defines a board game apparatus consisting of a continuous path of spaces arranged in a square loop. Players move tokens along this path based on random number generation, typically dice rolls. The board includes specific designated spaces representing real estate properties that players can purchase, develop with structures, and collect rent from other players who land on them.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover the underlying economic theory of land value taxation.",
    "Does not cover digital versions of the game implemented on computers or consoles.",
    "Does not cover variations of the board that do not follow the specific square-loop path configuration.",
    "Does not cover the specific artwork, character names, or branding associated with the game."
  ],
  "filed": "1935-08-31",
  "granted": "1935-12-31",
  "expires": "1955-08-31",
  "status": "expired",
  "holder": "Parker Brothers Inc",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/parker-brothers-inc",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Charles B Darrow",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/charles-b-darrow"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 177,
  "tags": [
    "gaming"
  ],
  "abstract": null,
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2026082/monopoly-board-game",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2026082/monopoly-board-game/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US2026082",
  "relatedPatents": [
    {
      "patentNumber": "3454279",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How the Game Twister Works",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3454279/twister-game"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "3333846",
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      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3079728/hula-hoop-wham-o"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "3655201",
      "countryCode": "US",
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      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3655201/rotating-cube-puzzle"
    }
  ]
}