Law vs. imagination
Is the creativity of video game developers limited by architects’ rights to the image of their buildings erected in public space?
End of the road for the secondary market in e-books and video games?
In recent months, perhaps more than ever, life has moved online. Some people spend their time reading e-books or playing video games. Can they later resell or exchange such “used” works? A recent ruling by the Court of Justice throws into doubt the secondary trading in digital goods.
Claiming the IP Box in the video game industry
The instrument popularly known as the “IP Box,” introduced on 1 January 2019, allows taxpayers to claim a lower, 5% rate of corporate income tax or personal income tax in their annual tax settlements for income generated from commercialisation of qualified intellectual property rights they have created or developed through R&D activity. In this article we discuss how to benefit from the IP Box in the game development industry, who is eligible for the IP Box, and the conditions that must be met.
IP courts: How to ensure that we aren’t infringing someone else’s exclusive rights?
In the fifth part of our series, we focus on the provision allowing interested parties to verify whether actions they have planned or undertaken infringe the exclusive rights of others. A claim seeking a declaration of non-infringement is an example of a preventive measure heading off filing of an infringement action by the holder of IP rights. This measure allows litigants to obtain judicial confirmation of the legality of their own actions in terms of respect for the intellectual property rights of competitors.
Video games, virtual currencies, and money laundering
What could video games have in common with money laundering and terrorism financing? Not much, it might seem at first glance. The duties in the Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act are mainly addressed to entities involved in financial services, such as banks and payment institutions. The AML/CTF regulations don’t directly refer to video games or persons involved in their development and operation.
IP courts: Cancellation of trademarks and industrial designs not only before the Patent Office
In our latest article on intellectual property courts, we discuss the provision enabling defendants to assert claims in their defence against claims of infringement of trademarks and industrial designs. Currently, it is possible to file a counterclaim seeking invalidation or revocation only in the case of EU trademarks (Regulation (EU) 2017/1001) and Community designs (Regulation (EC) 6/2002). This will change from 1 July 2002, when defendants will be allowed to file such counterclaims also in proceedings in Poland involving national IP rights.
In-game advertising: How to play it?
The trend toward advertising in online channels has grown for years, but video games are still not a popular ad platform. While large foreign entities are eager to exploit this opportunity (among game publishers such as Electronic Arts and brands like adidas, Coca-Cola and Daimler), it is harder to find examples of this type of cooperation among Polish entities.
IP courts: Change in regulations on information claims from 1 July 2020
In our series of articles on IP courts, we cover the key changes under the amendment to the Civil Procedure Code in cases involving protection of intellectual property. We previously wrote about introduction of the new separate procedure and on applications to preserve, present and disclose evidence. Now we analyse the most important changes involving information claims.
IP courts: Will it be easier to prove infringements?
As we recently discussed, on 1 July 2020 provisions introducing a new type of separate procedure in intellectual property cases will enter into force, as well as new institutions designed to strengthen the protection of IP rights and harmonise the provisions implementing the IP Enforcement Directive (2004/48/EC), which have been dispersed around several different acts of Polish law. Among other things, this will change the rules for preserving evidence of infringement. It will also be possible to demand that evidence be produced or turned over.
Legal aspects of the video game industry
The video game development sector has grown rapidly in recent years. With the spread of smartphones, new business models, and distribution platforms, the market for video games has taken off, becoming a key sector of the creative industry. Its growth stirs the imagination and appetite not only of game producers and publishers, but also of the biggest companies in sectors like IT and film, who are increasingly oriented toward the game market. It is also a promising field for investors, particularly from Asia. The industry’s growth has not even been slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. To the contrary, the industry has taken advantage of this time to reinforce its position and achieve new growth.
Humvee, iPhone, Pip-Boy: Can real-life items be depicted in video games?
Video game designers often place the narrative of their games in contemporary or historical times. This requires them to base elements in the game on items familiar from the real world, such as vehicles, clothing, jewellery, weapons, foods and electronics. Can such depictions be freely used in games, or is consent required?
IP courts: Changes in proceedings for protection of intellectual property
The latest amendment to the Civil Procedure Code enters into force on 1 July 2020, aimed at creating specialised courts handling intellectual property matters.
