The video games industry is continuing to expand and evolve at a rapid rate. Understandably you’ll want to be sure you receive advice from experts who know the industry and are at the forefront of the latest developments and trends.
We have been advising video games clients since the introduction of the 8-bit console and are widely recognised as one of the leading law firms in the video games industry. We are known for our high-quality legal advice as well as our commercial awareness and ability to identify and interpret market trends quickly and effectively.
Our expertise throughout the media and entertainment industries is often a significant and welcomed benefit. We are able to support and advise on cross media projects, helping to bridge the gap between games, TV, film, music and other entertainment businesses.
Our clients are drawn from across the interactive entertainment industry and include multi-national publishers, small and large studios, console, PC and mobile games financiers, AR and VR businesses, online platforms, esports businesses, middleware and software providers, localisation companies, trade publishers, industry trade bodies and leading industry figures.
As part of our work in the games industry, we partnered with Ukie to prepare an overview of the sources of finance available to UK games businesses and we have drafted a suite of standard contracts that can be used by Ukie’s studio members.
- Development and publishing agreements
- Distribution and other licensing agreements
- Console, PC and mobile platform arrangements
- The application of the UK’s video games tax credit (including the use of the credit as a source of finance)
- Tax credit financing arrangements and other project finance arrangements including crowdfunding, SEIS and EIS investment
- Outsourcing agreements.
- Data protection and privacy (including the application of the GDPR)
- Consumer protection
- The application of gambling laws to prize competitions, loot boxes and social gaming
- The regulation of virtual currency
- EULAs, website Terms of Use, competition Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policies
- Classification/rating, censorship, advertising and other regulatory matters.
- Copyright issues
- Trade mark and patent issues
- Brand protection strategy (including the protection and enforcement of copyright and other intellectual property rights).
- Corporate mergers and acquisitions
- Joint venture
- Investments (including EIS and SEIS investment)
- MBOs
- Corporate finance
- Shareholder arrangements
- IPOs
- Corporate structuring.
- Employment, consultancy and work-for-hire arrangements
- Contractual and other disputes.
- You can see the type of advice we provide for the esports sector here.
Major international publisher
We advised a major international publisher on all of the legal aspects arising out of the restructuring of its international distribution business and the restructuring of the operations of its UK subsidiary studio.
Major international publisher
We provide ongoing advice to a major international publisher on day-to-day issues arising in the development, publishing and exploitation of its games. We provide advice on issues relating to consumer rights and gambling (including in relation to loot boxes), development and licensing agreements, intellectual property, data protection, litigation, reputation management, investments and employment issues.
Sketchbook Games
We have advised award winning games studio, Sketchbook Games, on the development, financing and worldwide publishing of its upcoming multi-platform title, Lost Words (including providing advice on its publishing agreement with Maximum/Modus Games which won the 2018 Deal of the Year at the UK Games Fund Awards).
Major International publisher
We advised a major international publisher on the legal issues surrounding the inclusion of certain real life locations in the next instalment of one of its triple-A game franchises.
Cavalier Studios
We advised Cavalier Studios on the development and publishing arrangements for its BAFTA-nominated game, The Sexy Brutale.
UK Video Games Tax Credit
We advised several video games studios on the application of the UK’s video games tax credit and how to structure their development arrangements to maximize the value of the credit.
Major international publisher
We have advised a major international publisher on the protection of its trade mark portfolio, including a number of trade mark filings and oppositions.
VR & AR
We have worked with a number of clients on the development and release of VR and AR games, including an international video game publisher on various aspects of a ground breaking AR mobile game.
Mark Phillips
Partner
E: mark.phillips@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Kostyantyn Lobov
Partner
E: kostyantyn.lobov@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Charles Leveque
Co-Managing Partner
E: charles.leveque@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Shireen Peermohamed
Partner
E: shireen.peermohamed@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Sandi Simons
Partner
E: sandi.simons@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Mike Jones
Senior Associate
E: mike.jones@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Edward Lane
Managing Associate
E: edward.lane@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Rupam Davé
Partner
E: rupam.dave@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Emily Giles
Senior Associate
E: emily.giles@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
