[EricH]

Coopertition is also patented, in the specific form of the 2003 game.

Trademarks and patents exist to protect intellectual property--but that's only part of what they do. The real reason for the patent is to publish an idea. The protection exists to entice people to publish the idea--they get so much exclusive time to profit from said idea before everybody else can. Trademarks protect logos, slogans, and things of that nature. This protects the group from somebody using their slogan/image/logo to profit. (Written materials get copyright protection--the FRC game manuals are copyrighted.)

In FIRST's case, I can't think of anybody getting in trouble for using their logo/slogans/concepts, as long as it's done properly. They publish a logo guide so that teams can use the FIRST logo properly. Pretty lenient in terms of legality.