Video Games & Esports

The strong growth of the video game market in recent years has seen the prolific emergence of esports - competitive gaming at a professional level, which now holds its own as a mainstream form of both sport and entertainment. Esports is fast-growing and insatiably popular, with vast prize pots for tournaments and sky-high audience viewing figures presenting hugely exciting opportunities for players, teams, investors and sponsors alike.

Lewis Silkin’s market leading team are recognised experts in the fields of both video games and esports. Having advised in this area ever since the days of the Sega Mega Drive, today Lewis Silkin advises some of the biggest names in the games industry on some of the most cutting-edge legal and technological issues.

Our recognised expertise in traditional sports and sponsorship rights, coupled with a deep knowledge of the latest regulatory and industry issues impacting both the gaming and esports markets, allows us to identify and interpret market trends ahead of the curve.

Our multi-disciplinary team can bring their experience to all matters relating to this sector, including:

• Game development and publishing agreements;
• Sponsorship and licensing arrangements;
• Intellectual property – copyright, trade mark and patent issues;
• Brand and reputation management;
• Broadcasting and digital rights;
• Programmatic advertising;
• Data and privacy;
• Technology - blockchain, AI and VR technology;
• Event management, venue hire and ticketing;
• Consumer law;
• Content acquisition, production and funding arrangements;
• Investment and shareholder agreements;
• Esports player, team and agency contracts;
• Esports/gaming ordinances, regulations and tournament rules.

"market leader… they have real strength in depth." - Chambers & Partners 2019

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