The U.S. video game industry revenue has continued to grow to a total of $36 billion in both hardware and software sales, more than doubling in less than a decade. Fueling this growth at breakneck speed is the evolution of technology. With the rapid expansion of the video game and immersive entertainment industry and technology's continued evolution, intellectual property law plays an increasingly prominent role in this arena. Game developers routinely wrestle with all aspects of IP law and need informed legal counsel on a multitude of issues, including end-user license agreements, ownership of user-generated content, the scope of copyright protection, remedies for trade secret appropriation, approaches for simulating reality without running afoul of existing trademark rights of real-world companies and people, and more. Providing a one-of-a-kind aid for counseling clients about the issues involved in the industry, the second edition of Computer Games and Immersive Entertainment covers a broad range of topics to help lawyers develop creative solutions to protect their clients while still engaging the players and end-users. Topics include: - Contracts, including EULAs, TOS, and TOU agreements- Copyrights- Patents- Trademarks- Trade secrets- Rights of publicity- International considerations, and more

How has the legal system used its traditional body of copyright and patent law to protect rights in computer software? The last 15 years have changed the entire landscape with regard to the creation and protection of software as intellectual property. Written by a computer expert with extensive participation in some of the most important software trials of the period, this book invites you to think critically about significant software issues and learn about the legal pitfalls surrounding software development in the industry today. The book is organized around various legal issues raised by both plaintiffs and defendants in copyright litigation, and the problems of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office in dealing with the rapid proliferation of applications for software-related patents. The author explains important terms and concepts in software litigation such as infringement, substantial similarity, reverse engineering, the merger defense, and look and feel. A succinct, readable survey for computer professionals, nonlegal academics, and lawyers who need a fast summary of the critical issues and cases in software and intellectual property matters.

This book explores and discusses how to obtain traditional intellectual property law rights in the non-traditional settings of video game and virtual world environments, and serves as a primer for researching these emerging legal issues. Each chapter addresses: end user license agreements; copyrights, patents, trademarks; and trade secrets, as addressed by U.S. law. It also covers international legal issues stemming from the multi-national user-base and foreign operation of many virtual worlds.

Software is the product of intellectual creativity, but protection of the intellectual property residing in software is the subject of some controversy. This book captures a wide range of perspectives on the topic from industry, academe, and government, drawing on information presented at a workshop and forum.

Intellectual Property in Electronics and Software provides practical guidance and addresses key IP law issues in major jurisdictions worldwide which impact on software and electronics companies. This new edition covers the latest case law on open source software and standard essential patents and features new chapters on the possible impact of the