Digital entertainment law is a relatively young area of law that has many names and many branches. The most well-known of these is video game law, sometimes called game law, computer game law, or interactive entertainment law. But what we call “digital entertainment law” is more than just games – it’s a collection of different laws that have similar effects on a variety of different roleplayers in the digital landscape. Whether you’re a developer, gamer, streamer – or something inbetween – digital entertainment law forms an essential part of your world.
Who should care about digital entertainment law?
If you provide or consume some kind of entertainment in a digital context, digital entertainment law will likely apply to you. Some of the most common players in this area include:
- game developers and publishers
- streamers and content creators
- esports clubs and players
- game or content licensees or sponsors
What laws form part of digital entertainment law?
The law doesn’t exist in neatly separated boxes, and depending on your activities, almost any law can have some effect on what you’re wanting to do. That said, some of the most common areas of law that fall under the umbrella of digital entertainment law include:
- Consumer protection law, like the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) or certain parts of Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA)
- Electronic communications law, like ECTA or electronic signature law
- Cybercrime law, like the Cybercrimes Act
- Intellectual property law, like the Copyright Act
- Publishing law, like the Film and Publications Act (FPA)
- Information law, like the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA)
- Contract law, like general contractual relationships and labour law
How can we help you?
Our digital entertainment lawyers love games, technology, and everything inbetween, and want to help build the industry in line with the law. Our clients include both local and international game developers, distributors and esports clubs. We help them with various legal solutions, including:
- business structuring and registering a company,
- shareholders agreements,
- contracting with employees and contractors,
- contracting with customers and clients,
- transferring IP offshore,
- licensing and distribution agreements, and
- complying with the law and legal opinions.
Digital entertainment law questionnaire
We would love to get more information on who you are and how we can help you. Please complete our digital entertainment law questionnaire (about 5 minutes to complete).
Interested in Digital Entertainment Law?
If you are interested, please complete the form on the right or enquire now. We will contact you to find out more about your requirements and give you a quote.