IT projects

Legal disputes in esports can be costly and time-consuming, especially when it comes to salaries, prize money, or transfers. Besides mediation, a traditional system involves entering into an arbitration agreement and conducting subsequent arbitration proceedings (often referred to as "Alternative Dispute Resolution" or "ADR"). Riot Games, one of the leading publishers in gaming and esports, has recently introduced an innovative arbitration system in the esports sphere for the EMEA region with its newly unveiled Dispute Resolution System (Riot DR). The aim is to provide quick, fair, and cost-efficient solutions to legal conflicts in the competitive leagues of League of Legends (LoL) and Valorant.

The early-year success of Palworld has long since waned. The hype surrounding the video game has subsided, and player numbers are far from setting new records. Just as the developer Pocketpair was about to launch the game on the PS5, a long-anticipated lawsuit from Nintendo and The Pokémon Company arrived. Time to take a closer look at the legal dispute.

The development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) raises numerous legal questions – particularly regarding liability.

The CJEU ruled, in response to questions referred by the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH), that the Action Replay software for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) likely does not constitute copyright infringement. The case, initiated by Sony against the third-party provider Datel, centered on whether the modification of game elements, such as unlocking additional content, infringes Sony's protected copyrights. This ruling has far-reaching implications for the digital space and may impact the use of mods and similar tools in other software sectors as well.

How do AI-generated NPCs and deep fakes affect personal rights in video games? Discover the legal risks and the requirements of the AI Regulation - from naming rights to image and voting rights.

On 25 September 2024, the Bundestag Committee on Housing, Urban Development, Construction and Local Authorities hosted a public expert discussion on the amendment to TA-Lärm. The question of what coexistence in the cities of the future can and should look like was also discussed.

When considering the extent to which companies need to train their employees and whether an AI officer is required in connection with the use of AI, the future reference point will be the Artificial Intelligence Act (commonly referred to as the AI Act). The key provision is Article 4 of the AI Act, which regulates the requirements for companies regarding their „AI literacy.“ Article 4 stipulates that providers and operators of AI systems must take measures to ensure an „adequate level of AI literacy” among their employees and other persons involved in the operation and use of AI systems on their behalf. In addition to technical knowledge, the law also specifies appropriate training to determine the adequate level of literacy.

The Hamburg Regional Court, in the so-called Laion case, has become the first German court to rule on whether copyright is infringed when training artificial intelligence (AI). It has dismissed the lawsuit of a photographer, ruling that the use of his photo is justified under the text and data mining exception outlined in § 60d of the German Copyright Act (UrhG).

The transfer of data across international borders is essential for many companies in the digitalized world but poses significant regulatory challenges, particularly in the EU.