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Rules in Play – Regulatory framework enforcement in the video games industry

Nearly 40 stakeholders joined the 8th workshop by the European Video Games Society, focusing on questions around the regulatory framework linked to video games and on enforcement issues.

WORKSHOP 8 Rules in play Regulatory framework enforcement in the video games industry. October 20, 2022. Online Event. Nearly 40 stakeholders joined the eighth workshop of the European Video Games Society, an initiative of the European Commission to support the video games ecosystem. The project, run by consultant companies Ecorys and KEA, aims to inform policy making on the impact of video games in various areas, identify ways for the EU to actively support the sector, and foster an active community in the ecosystem. The eighth workshop focuses on questions around the regulatory framework linked to video games and on enforcement issues. EXISTING VIDEO GAMES IP ENFORCEMENT CHALLENGES. Creation of a video game. Re-purposing the video game. Distribution of and access to a video game. Piracy sites and unauthorized piracy servers. Alteration of the video game. Potential impact of the Digital Service Act (DSA). Integrity of the video game. HOW IP ISSUES IMPACT THE VIDEO GAME VALUE CHAIN. 1: Prototype development phase: bureaucratic burdens linked to the registration of the intellectual property. 2: Publishing phase: skin gambling and cloning. 3: Production phase: software patents, key selling and account transfers, fragmentation from the implementation of the DSM copyright directive, and the lack of knowledge of IP law. 4: Distribution phase: key selling, fraudulent IP registrations, balancing the protection of IP in new models of co-development, co-ownership, live streaming and esports. FUTURE CHALLENGES AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS. Emerging trend: AI and video games. Solution: A clear regulatory framework for AI created games + integrating the latest AI tools in game education. Emerging trend: Harmonisation/fragmentation of the regulatory framework. Solution: Need to develop more accurate trade agreements covering potentially harmful issues. Emerging trend: IP and the metaverse. Solution: Developing ready-made templates for terms and conditions. IDEAS FOR POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS. Implementing EU backed protections for European developers against US patent cases in US courts. Developing a pro-innovation framework. Developing tools that support game developers against copycat games. Setting up a global agreement on eSignature for digital registration of IP rights. More workshops and interviews will be soon organised by the European Video Games Society. You can contribute to our survey via the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/EUGamingSociety. For more information on the project or for future participation, please reach out to EUvideogames@ecorys.com and check out https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/value-gaming.

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Workshop 8 - Regulatory framework - Summary report (.pdf)
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Last update

14 March 2023

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