Gaming
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Meet our regional team of experienced lawyers
The video gaming and e-sports industry is one of the fastest-growing and most innovative sectors in the world, offering a wide range of entertainment options to millions of consumers. However, the rise of video gaming and e-sports have spawned a whole new area of legal practice and evolving complex legal issues, including disputes over the use of intellectual property in video games and digital tokens, disputes over the application of game rules in competitive e-sports tournaments, issues relating to whether a game may be said to comprise gambling elements, match fixing, betting, unfair use of technology such as Artificial Intelligence Predictive Analysis, doping, governance of the e-sports industry, regulation of blockchain created gaming properties and assets, and regulatory issues arising from new delivery and engagement platforms for gaming.
Members of our Gaming team have, since the advent of console gaming in 1996, been regularly advising game developers, publishers, distributors, platform providers, payment service providers, advertisers and equipment manufacturers on various issues faced by them in the gaming industry. With our deep domain knowledge of the industry as well as our expertise in the closely related areas of gambling law, intellectual property law and sports law, we are well-positioned to help you navigate the legal and regulatory landscape of the gaming industry, from setting up a gaming business and employment of staff to the development and commercialisation of its gaming products.
Featured insights
Rajah & Tann Singapore contributed to the Singapore chapter of the Gaming Law 2023 Global Practice Guide published by Chambers and Partners.
This is a comprehensive overview of gambling law in Singapore, including the recently enacted Gambling Control Act, related subsidiary legislation and class licences. Covering a broad range of gambling law issues, the chapter aims to offer readers a good understanding of the laws and regulatory framework governing the different forms of gambling and associated activities in Singapore.
Our Experience in Gaming Matters
- Managed the anti-counterfeiting programme of a pioneer and leading video gaming brand, including conducting numerous raids and instituting private prosecutions in court against businesses selling counterfeit games and gaming accessories
- Assisted a leading video gaming brand in law reform lobbying efforts leading to the introduction of new anti-circumvention measures in Singapore’s copyright law
- Advised game publishers on game censorship and classification
- Advised gaming companies on tax on online businesses
- Advised a gaming console manufacturer on jailbreaking of consoles
- Advised a game publisher on its terms of service, end user licence agreement and privacy policy
- Advise a game publisher on regulatory requirements for stored value and payment systems for its electronic wallets and vouchers
- Advised a game publisher on advertising laws in multiple jurisdictions
- Established subsidiary companies for a Japanese video gaming company in Singapore and Indonesia
- Providing loot boxes advice to a game publisher
- Advised a UK game studio on its acquisition of a mobile game
- Represented a Singapore developer and publisher of a popular battle royale mobile game in defending against a suit commenced by a rival Korean game developer and publisher for copyright infringement and passing off
- Represented a Chinese developer and publisher of a popular first-person shooter mobile game in defending against a suit brought by a rival American game developer and publisher for copyright infringement and passing off
- Advised a US based online video game developer on regulatory queries on the presence of chance elements in its game
- Advised an Indian fantasy sports operator on gambling and payment services regulations
- Advised the organizer of the Olympic Esports Week 2023 on its sponsorship contracts in relation to the event
- Advised a US computer gaming company in a licensing dispute with a Chinese game distributor
- Advised an internet service provider on copyright issues relating to WAP games and ringtone downloads
Publications
- Legal and Regulatory Issues in Video Gaming and Esports (Part 1), NUS Centre for Technology, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & the Law
- Legal and Regulatory Issues in Video Gaming and Esports (Part 2), NUS Centre for Technology, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & the Law
- Online Safety and Cybersecurity Risks in Online Gaming (Part 1), NUS Centre for Technology, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & the Law
- Online Safety and Cybersecurity Risks in Online Gaming (Part 2), NUS Centre for Technology, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & the Law
Related Links
Recognition
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Band 1 - Gaming & Gambling (Asia Pacific Region)Chambers Global (2024)
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Band 1 - Gaming & Gambling (Asia Pacific Region)Chambers Asia-Pacific (2024)
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Global Market Leaders - Gaming & GamblingChambers Global (2024)
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"...has many industry connections and can reach places we need specific contacts in... known in the market as a reputable gaming lawyer"Chambers Asia-Pacific (2024) (Singapore)
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"...particularly known for advising clients, including governments and international and domestic enterprises, on the complex regulatory structures around lotteries and wagering in the region and beyond."Chambers Asia-Pacific (2024) (Singapore)
“...one of the leading gaming law specialists in the APAC region and is on most of the most significant matters in and around the region”
Our Regional Gaming Team
