Ryan Black’s Post

The General Court of the European Union (“General Court”) has corroborated the European Commission’s (“Commission”) decision that the actions of Valve Corporation, in tandem with five major PC video game publishers, infringed European Union (“EU”) competition law. The violation revolves around the geo-blocking of activation keys on Valve’s well-known Steam platform, which unlawfully restricted cross-border sales of specific PC video games. In this legal insight, we will examine the case as well as the competition law rules it touches upon. #solakpartners #solakandpartners #lawfirm #competitionlaw #valvecorporation A. Server Dede Basak Aygun Aykut

My law article “Beating the odds: resolving sportsbook mistakes fairly” was published in the latest issue of the International Masters of Gaming Law's flagship publication, the IMGL Magazine. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/edU3TJst or in PDF format below.  The magazine can be reviewed in full here https://lnkd.in/eNfdT5pf. Special thanks to Professor Ron Rychlak, for whose Gaming Law course I wrote this article, and whose edits and feedback were integral in getting it to publication.

Federal Circuit Rejects Another PTAB-Bias Appeal: The Federal Circuit issued a no-opinion affirmance in the case New Vision Gaming v. LNW Gaming, 20-1400, confirming the PTAB's invalidation of claims for lack of eligibility. New Vision's appeal focused on due process issues and a forum selection clause, but the Federal Circuit upheld the PTAB's ruling without providing an opinion. The case raises questions about the patent eligibility of card-game patents. https://lnkd.in/dni2i22c - IP topics: Intellectual Property topics! #ip #intellectualproperty #copyright

The New York Times is opposing University Games 5 LETTER WORDLET trademark, claiming it causes consumer confusion with WORDLE. Even though the games are similar, the dispute focuses on the name. Read more on our blog: https://lnkd.in/ep55faeV #trademark #trademarks #trademarklaw #ipnews #intellectualproperty

🐲 Meet the panelists | Legal Summit powered by Rymarz Zdort Maruta Moderator: Vlad Micu (VGVisionary) Panelists: Kate Edwards (Geogrify LLC), Tomasz Gadomski (11 bit studios S.A.), Matthew Datum (株式会社バンダイナムコエンターテインメント Bandai Namco Entertainment(Japan)) 🟢 Topic: Cultural Impact of Making Video Games Being products addressed to everyone, making video games is as much about licensing, publishing and compliance, as about meeting various cultural differences. In this panel we will discuss some of the real-life challenges faced during creation of video games, and how to approach solving them in a way that no one is insulted nor any legal implications become a problem. 🪪 Buy your ticket: https://lnkd.in/dJDwxJWd Find out more about Legal Summit powered by Rymarz Zdort Maruta: https://lnkd.in/d9MR6w8h

Lara Croft: Legend of the Lost IP 🧭 In a recent EU case showcasing the intersection of gaming and intellectual property law, Lara Croft, the iconic video game character from the Tomb Raider series, has been at the forefront of a trade mark dispute. The owners of Lara Croft’s IP, successfully opposed a trade mark application for ‘Lora Craft’ (in a seemingly unrelated class we may add), highlighting the importance of protecting well-established fictional characters through trade marks. This case emphasizes the powerful role of IP in the gaming industry, in particular the role trade marks play in safeguarding the unique identity and commercial value of game characters. Lara Croft, since her first introduction in 1996, has not only been a gaming legend but also an example of strong intellectual property rights. Her image and name, used in video games, merchandising, and films, represent a significant asset to her creators, underlining the importance of protection and related value for well-known characters in the realm of intellectual property. For more info and assistance on IP, gaming, and how these two interact, contact STEYN IP® m or visit our website. #STEYNIP #DreamersWelcome #LegalMavericks #ProtectingCreativity #ProtectingDreams #IPinsights #createPROTECT #letsTALKip #intellectualproperty #intellectualpropertylaw #trademarks #patents #copyright #designs #YourBrandProtected #dreamBIG #IPLaw #ip #InnovationMatters #dreamBIG #FileFirst #LaraCroft #tombraider #LoraCraft

Had a great first day at #VGLCTokyo, which I am attending with Eugene Wong; amazing to be surrounded by people who are as passionate and knowledgeable about the video games / interactive entertainment industry as today's speakers and delegates. (And, of course, doing it in Tokyo, one of the best cities ever, is a massive cherry on top!) The highlights of the day include the punchy and highly engaging summary of the recent industry case law and developments in the US by Marc Mayer and Karin Pagnanelli, including a brief glimpse of the adrenaline-filled world of anti-cheating litigation by the likes of Bungie and Activision. It was also fascinating to listen to the discussion by Andrew Hurwitz, Riley Russell and Jordan M. on how do video games companies / publishers protect their interests in negotiating deals for TV and film adaptations of their core IPs. Very much looking forward to tomorrow's panels, including the hotly anticipated generative AI one! (In closing remarks, I only wish I was physically capable of taking conference photographs which I could post without (1) dishonouring my firm, country and family, and/or (2) committing a serious data privacy infringement. I have a lot to learn from you, Nadia Latti!) #CMSlaw #CMSgaming #gaming https://vglctokyo.com/EN

Arnold & Porter secured a significant victory in a case where a patent assertion entity had sued most of the online gaming industry—including our client, BetMGM, along with DraftKings, Fan Duel and others—asserting infringement of four patents centered around the usage of GPS technology to verify location in apps. This area is of utmost importance to the industry, as the legal framework of online gaming remains a patchwork of state-based regulations. Check out the Law360 article below for more details on the case and insights from partner Evan M. Rothstein. #gaming #law #patent #intellectualproperty

#EUlitigation #geoblocking #tech #videogames #copyright Interesting judgment of the EU General Court on the European Commission's antitrust decision on #geoblocking practices in #onlinevideogames (Case T-172/21, Valve v. Commission). For all of the key takeaways, please read the excellent article in GCR by Bethan John -- yes, it comes with a soundbite from yours truly... TL;DR: the EU Courts see no reason to take a less restrictive stance towards practices that are held to partition the EU internal market by limiting parallel imports, just because (i) they take place online (ii) have not yet been specifically considered in its case-law previously and/or (iii) take place in the context of the exercise of IP rights. Any firm which contributes to a "disguised restriction on trade between Member States" is at risk of becoming subject to EU antitrust enforcement.