Legal Notice & IP Disclosure

Title: Legal Notices • DunkBall™ Sporting System & Method of Play
Effective Date: January 20, 2026
Owner/Inventor: Luke McNeel‑Caird
Contact: luke@playdunkball.com

A. Public Disclosure of the DunkBall™ Sporting System & Method of Play

This page constitutes the official public disclosure of DunkBall™, a sport engineered for the conversion and modernization of outdoor basketball courts to promote high‑tempo, above‑the‑rim play. Unless otherwise indicated, all concepts, designs, rules, specifications, marks, systems, methods, and frameworks described on this website are the proprietary intellectual property of Luke McNeel‑Caird.

This disclosure covers three interrelated inventions:

  1. Court Conversion System — standardized 50' × 42' short‑court architecture from free-throw line to free-throw line with an 8.5‑foot rim.
  2. Method of Play — 3‑on‑3, first to 11 points, win by 2; automatic possession swap after every made basket; inbound from the opposing basket; center‑court check after fouls; blocks and goaltending are legal.
  3. Scoring & Officiating Logic — 1 point for standard field goals (layups/mid‑range); 2 points for 3‑point arc shots; 2 points for any dunk; 3 points for the “X” Shot released from behind the half‑court line; disputes resolved by a single shoot‑for‑it at 3 point line.

B. Trademark Notice

DunkBall™ is a claimed trademark for sporting services, athletic equipment, league operations, and court‑conversion programs. Any use in commerce of identical or confusingly similar marks for related services or goods may constitute trademark infringement and/or unfair competition under applicable law. All brand names, logos, and associated trade dress on this site are protected.

C. Copyright Notice

© 2026 Luke McNeel‑Caird. All rights reserved. The DunkBall Sporting System & Method of Play, including but not limited to the text, designs, diagrams, figures, stencils, specifications, scoring logic, and rules appearing on this site, are protected under U.S. and international copyright law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, adapted, or displayed without express written permission, except as permitted by law (e.g., fair use).

D. Legal Status & Patent Notice

This disclosure initiates the one‑year U.S. grace period for filing patent applications covering the inventions described herein pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 102(b). The subject matter disclosed is non‑confidential and places these concepts into the public domain for purposes of establishing prior art as of January 20, 2026.

Reservation of Rights: All patent rights are expressly reserved, including U.S. and foreign applications claiming priority to this disclosure. The descriptions herein are non‑limiting, representative embodiments. Features described in connection with any embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments unless stated otherwise. The scope of protection will be defined by claims submitted in subsequent patent applications.

E. Safety & Assumption of Risk

Participation in DunkBall involves inherent athletic risk. Facilities and participants should use appropriate safety equipment, maintain surfaces and goals, and follow posted rules. Excessive rim hanging is discouraged. Play at your own risk.

F. Permitted Use of Rules (Limited License)

League operators, schools, and municipalities may reference the publicly disclosed rules for informational purposes and pilot playtesting. Any commercial use (including paid leagues, branded equipment, broadcasting/streaming, or paid events) requires a license from the owner. To inquire about licensing, use the contact information below.

G. Inquiries

For licensing, municipal conversions, league development, equipment partnerships, or pilots, contact:
luke@playdunkball.com

Technical appendices (court stencils, paint/contrast specs, rim hardware guidance, and a rules‑engine schema for digital scoreboards) are available under separate cover.