Technology & Telecommunications

Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe: Trade Secrets in Video Games and Esports

April 17, 2020

Steve, Nick, and new player Charles explore how trade secrets impact the video game industry. They explain how trade secrets work, discuss recent esports litigation over trade secrets, and share some best practices for protecting trade secrets.

Red Tape Redemption: Global Regulation of Video Games

April 16, 2020

In this episode, Steve and Nick discuss various countries’ approaches to regulation, provide tips on how to enter coveted foreign markets, and peer into the future of video game and esports regulations in the United States and abroad.

A Moment with the Misfits: Legal Issues Facing Top Esports Teams

April 15, 2020

In this episode, Steve and Nick interview John Kracum, a former lawyer and current vice president of Misfits Gaming Group, about the wide array of legal issues facing today’s top esports teams.

Embracing Technology in a Changing Legal Landscape

April 13, 2020

Doubling Down on Loot Boxes

April 8, 2020

In this episode, we cover the ensuing twists and turns in the loot box saga and explain how their treatment and regulation have developed on a global scale.

Are You in Compliance With New York’s Newest Requirement to Develop, Maintain, and Implement Reasonable Safeguards to Protect New Yorkers’ Private Information?

April 2, 2020

Privacy and Cybersecurity Perils in Hastily Signed Work-From-Home Vendor Contracts

April 1, 2020

Expect the Unexpected: Coronavirus Cancels Esports and Gaming Events, Almost

March 25, 2020

7 Tips for Restaurants Switching to Takeout or Delivery-Only “Ghost Kitchens” During the Coronavirus Crisis

March 19, 2020

COVID-19 and Cybersecurity: Best Practices in an Uncertain Landscape

March 18, 2020

The Next Frontier: Legal and Practical Issues That Surround Mobile Gaming

March 12, 2020

Collegiate Esports 101: Trends & Legal Issues

February 26, 2020

You've Been Served: The Legal Effects of Games as a Service (GaaS)

February 11, 2020

Live From DreamHack and the Atlanta Esports Summit

November 26, 2019

The Shared Economy

October 3, 2019

Before discussing how and whether the shared economy should be regulated, it is important to define the term. Simply, the shared economy is an economic model in which consumers grant each other access to their underutilized assets.

New York AG Leads Antitrust Investigation Into Social Media Platform

September 11, 2019

LAN Party Lawyers: Live from Guardian Con 2019 (Part 2)

August 1, 2019

In this special episode recorded live on the floor of Guardian Con 2019 in Orlando, Steve and Nick interview Bennett Newsome, Full Sail University’s Esports Strategist and a partnered Twitch streamer. They discuss the challenges and rewards in collegiate esports, as well as the journey to realizing one’s dream on the largest streaming platform in the world.

2019 State Blockchain, Crypto, and Virtual Currency Legislation Tracker

July 24, 2019

A comprehensive list of newly proposed state legislation relating to cryptocurrencies and blockchains.

LAN Party Lawyers: Live from Guardian Con 2019 (Part 1)

July 19, 2019

In this special episode recorded live on the floor of Guardian Con 2019 in Orlando, Steve and Nick interview Slate Schwertner of 505 Games and Vida Starčević of Remedy Games.

How Broad Is the Scope of the CCPA's Standing Provision Under Section 1798.150(a)(1)?

July 18, 2019

What to Do If the SEC Comes Knocking on Your Door

July 3, 2019

Justin and Michael discuss what may happen when you are served with a subpoena from the SEC, or get approached by the Department of Justice, and what steps you should take in response. In the second half of the discussion, Justin and Michael focus on some issues in the crypto space.

S1:E11 - Not All Fun and Games: Employment Issues in the Esports and Gaming Industry

July 1, 2019

Employment-related issues abound in esports and the video game industry. Join Steve and Nick in the last episode of Season One of the LAN Party Lawyers podcast as they discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the industry - from the problem of "crunch," to esport player contracts. They are joined by entertainment lawyer Steve Sidman, who offers valuable insights based on more than two decades of experience representing creative talent and industry players.

S1:E10 - Covering Your Digital Assets: Intellectual Property Rights and Gaming

June 19, 2019

Steve and Nick explore intellectual property rights issues in gaming, and discuss recent cases involving alleged copyright and trademark infringement with intellectual property lawyer Gail Podolsky.

Cracks in the Armor?

June 17, 2019

In another defense-favorable Section 230 ruling, the DC Circuit dismissed claims against tech companies brought by more than a dozen locksmith companies.

Supreme Court Resolves Circuit Court Split: Copyright Registration Is a Prerequisite to a Copyright Infringement Suit

June 11, 2019

S1:E9 - Investing in Esports: Putting Your Money Where Your Mouse Is

June 5, 2019

Join Steve and Nick as they discuss the spectacular rise of esports, as well as various ways companies are investing in esports. They are joined by startup and venture capital attorney Adam Smith, who highlights some of the concerns unique to investing in esports and businesses in this space.

S1:E8 - Censoring Online Influencers: FTC Endorsement Guidelines and the First Amendment

May 22, 2019

The FTC regulates endorsements and promotions by online influencers, including those in the gaming space. Join Steve and Nick as they discuss these guidelines as well as best practices for both influencers and companies behind the campaigns. They also interview First Amendment lawyer Justin Wales and discuss the guidelines’ impact on online speech.

Supreme Court Upholds Ninth Circuit Decision: Antitrust Action Against Apple May Proceed

May 17, 2019

U.S. Supreme Court determined that iPhone users may proceed with antitrust claims over alleged anticompetitive app store practices.

U.S. Regulation of Loot Boxes Heats Up with Announcement of New Legislation

May 9, 2019

S1:E7 - Unfinished Business: Legal and Practical Issues with Early Access Games

May 8, 2019

Steve and Nick explain the Early Access model for releasing games, explore the legal and practical considerations that come with it, and debate its impact on the gaming industry.

S1:E6 - The Impact of Net Neutrality on the Esports and E-Gaming Industry

April 24, 2019

Steve and Nick discuss the state of the law on net neutrality, and the cases for and against it. They also explore its rarely discussed impact on esports and the video game industry with professional streamer Kevin Murray (aka kmagic101), who offers valuable insight and a unique perspective on this hot-button topic.

S1:E5 - Bugging Out: The Legal Effects of Bugs and Glitches in Games

April 10, 2019

Steve and Nick explore the legal consequences of bugs in video games and exploits in esports with litigator and former prosecutor Jack Clabby.

Caps Off to You: DOL Proposes Raising Salary Cap

April 1, 2019

The U.S. DOL has proposed raising the salary cap for exempt white-collar workers. Here are some tips for employers in responding to the proposed changes

S1:E4 - Raiding Your Vault: Cybersecurity in Gaming

March 26, 2019

Steve and Nick discuss cybersecurity incidents impacting the video game industry, from brute-force attacks to swatting. They also interview professional streamer Ben Bowman (AKA Professor Broman), and review potential legal recourse for those who have suffered a gaming-related cyber incident.

First SIM-Swap Conviction: What's the Message for Mobile Providers?

March 21, 2019

Industry commentators anticipate that claims will be brought against telecom providers with increased frequency.

LAN Party Lawyers Live at Ultimate Gamer Miami

March 15, 2019

In this special episode recorded live on the floor of the inaugural UG competition in Miami, Steve and Nick interview UG CEO Steve Suarez and Esports host/commentator Arda Ocal. They discuss the vision behind UG and the rise and future of the Esports industry from an insider's perspective.

S1:E3 - Even the Games Have Eyes: Data Privacy and Gaming

March 13, 2019

Steve and Nick take a deep dive into the emerging legal issues surrounding data privacy in gaming. They discuss the history of data collection in games and how that data has been used, and explore some of the regulatory restraints and challenges facing industry players. Then, in the 1v1 Showdown they debate various approaches to regulating these sensitive issues.

S1:E2 - One Step Closer to Skynet: Artificial Intelligence and Gaming

February 27, 2019

Steve and Nick examine how increasingly complex AI and neural networks have been developed using games as the testing grounds. They also interview Pedro Pavón, a thought leader in AI, about the legal and policy implications AI has for the future.

Three Takeaways from the DOL's New Labor Condition Application Form

November 19, 2018

SEC: Ether and Bitcoin Are Not Securities

October 1, 2018

Cryptocurrency investors were concerned following the SEC’s July 2017 investigative report on digital token sales by a virtual organization known as “The DAO.”

Is Cryptocurrency Money? Depends on Your State

August 29, 2018

Is cryptocurrency money? In America, the question is largely decided by the regulators charged with overseeing their state's money transmitter rules.

23 Attorneys General Challenge FCC Ruling on Net Neutrality

August 26, 2018

On June 11, the FCC’s Restoring Internet Freedom Declaratory Ruling, Report and Order, and Order, 33 FCC Rcd. 311 (2018) (the “Order”) took effect.