Video Games & Esports
Legal and strategic support across the video games and esports lifecycle, including transactions, operations and disputes
The games and esports sector is expanding rapidly, driven by technological innovation, global audiences and increasingly complex commercial models. Video game developers, publishers, platforms and event organisers are exploring new opportunities whilst navigating growing legal and operational pressure - from building and scaling digital platforms, to running international esports tournaments, managing global workforces and navigating dispute risk.
CMS supports clients operating across the games and esports ecosystem with practical, sector focused legal advice. Our lawyers combine deep experience with a clear understanding of how regulation, intellectual property and commercial strategy intersect in this fast moving market. We help businesses manage complexity without slowing momentum.
We work alongside clients at every stage of growth - advising on game and platform development, esports events and commercial transactions, and helping organisations anticipate and mitigate risk early in an evolving regulatory landscape. Where disputes arise, we manage matters from pre action advice through to resolution, including strategically significant actions, complex and cross border disputes and group litigation, with a focus on protecting value and supporting long term success.
Advising on the development of video games and digital platforms, including platform models and technology solutions used across the games and esports ecosystem.
Supporting the organisation and operation of esports tournaments and events, including agreements with publishers, organisers, teams, sponsors and media partners.
Advising on intellectual property issues in the gaming and esports sector, including protecting and managing rights, resolving IP related disputes and addressing commercially sensitive issues.
Advising on employment and people related matters, including workforce strategy, disputes and issues that arise in fast growing and international teams.
Helping organisations navigate evolving regulatory and compliance challenges, particularly those linked to innovation, new business models and cross border operations.
Advising games and esports businesses across the corporate lifecycle, including growth, change and strategic transactions, from early stage financing through to exit.
Advising on disputes across the sector, from early pre action advice through to the management and resolution of claims (litigation, arbitration and ADR), including complex, cross border and high risk matters such as fraud, cybersecurity, class actions/group litigation and competition/antitrust claims.
Advising on all aspects of cybersecurity, including at all stages of any cyber breach. Our approach is to tackle cyber issues holistically and globally, across over 50 jurisdictions.
Legal experts for Video Games & Esports
Highlighted experience
Local market knowledge. Global outlook
We provide future-facing legal advice to help your organisation thrive. Combining local market knowledge and a global perspective, and with lawyers in locations worldwide, your organisation benefits from the expertise it needs, even across borders.
About CMS