Playing by the Rules: Video Game Law

Playing by the Rules: Video Game Law

Video games are a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States. The industry continues to evolve as interactive content migrates from the console and PC to the web, mobile devices and beyond. This topic will explore the legal principles underlying how games are developed, distributed and ultimately enjoyed by consumers. We will focus on legal doctrines from the perspective of in-house counsel and place particular emphasis on how legal issues play out in the structuring and negotiation of industry partnerships. Throughout the topic we will assess the role that intellectual property laws, especially copyright, play in fostering or inhibiting creativity and innovation within the video game industry. The topic will include a negotiation exercise between a developer and publisher, student presentations and a final paper. We will be joined by guest industry experts who will share their perspective on how the legal issues we are discussing translate into actual practice.