Video Games and Online Gaming
Soulier Bunch advises players in the video game industry on the structuring, safeguarding, and development of their business operations amid rapid growth, technological transformation, and increasing regulatory scrutiny. Our cross-disciplinary approach combines competition law, intellectual property, contracts, data protection, regulatory matters, and strategic litigation.
Our team represents clients in high-stakes investigations and litigation before both national (French Competition Authority, French Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF)) and European competition authorities, as well as before civil and commercial courts, in actions for damages arising from anticompetitive practices or in disputes relating to the breach of strategic partnership agreements, serving both hardware manufacturers and game developers and distributors.
We also assist market operators with the drafting and negotiation of their strategic distribution agreements in France and internationally, trademark license agreements, and the organization of e-sport competitions.
Finally, we support stakeholders in their dealings with the French National Gambling Authority (Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ)), assisting with the application process for online gaming and betting licenses and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements (advertising, return to player rate, protection of minors, etc.).
Representative work
- Represented a video game controller manufacturer before the French Competition Authority in an abuse of dominance case against a console manufacturer
- Assisted a video game publisher in connection with a European Commission sector inquiry regarding the digital distribution of its catalog
- Advised companies on the structuring of e-sports competitions and the securing of sponsorship agreements
- Negotiated video game distribution agreements
- Assisted a market player in its dealings with the ANJ regarding the licensing process and compliance of its business operations with French regulations
- Advised numerous companies in setting up promotional games and prize contests
