ABSTRACT

Video Game Law is aimed at game developers and industry professionals who want to better understand the industry or are in need of expert legal guidance. Given the rise in international competition, the increasing complexity of video game features, and the explosive growth of the industry in general, game developers can quickly find themselves in serious trouble, becoming vulnerable to copyright infringement claims, piracy, and even security breaches. Not every video game company has the financial resources to retain in-house counsel–which Video Game Law seeks to address by discussing many of the common pitfalls, legal questions, and scenarios facing the industry. S. Gregory Boyd, Brian Pyne, and Sean F. Kane, the most prominent, sought after, and respected video game attorneys in the country, break down the laws and legal concepts that every game developer and industry professional needs to know in order to better protect their game and grow their company.


KEY FEATURES:
• Provides a solid understanding of intellectual property (IP) concepts and laws, including
copyright, trademark, trade secret, and other protections that apply to video games and
how each can be employed to protect a company’s unique and valuable IP
• Explores cutting edge legal issues that affect the gaming industry, including gambling,
virtual currency, privacy laws, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, tax incentives, and
relevant piracy laws
• Provides an overview of legal and privacy vocabulary and concepts needed to navigate
and succeed in an industry that is constantly growing and evolving
• Provides illustrative examples and legal concepts from the video game industry in every
chapter

chapter |6 pages

Introduction

Getting Started in the Game Industry

chapter |12 pages

How to Make a Bad Licensed Game

A Tried and True Recipe for Disaster

chapter |19 pages

Negotiating Key Game Agreements

chapter |43 pages

Game Industry Contracts

chapter |28 pages

Free Money!

Making Use of Video Game Tax Incentives

chapter |15 pages

Beyond Goldfarming

Virtual Property Regulations

chapter |19 pages

Advertising and Games

chapter |13 pages

Gambling in Games

chapter |16 pages

Game Ratings and the First Amendment

chapter |11 pages

Welcome to Tortious Games