The esports industry is now a burgeoning force to be reckoned with. esports generally refers to the competitive playing of video games. The biggest esports tournaments command prize money and virtual audiences in the multiple millions and attract professional gamers from all over the world. Spurred on by the Internet’s increasing accessibility, the rise of live streaming gaming platforms (such as Twitch, YouTube Live and Hitbox.tv) and the success of the F2P business model, eSports has established itself as one of the fastest growing forms of entertainment, reportedly on pace to become a billion-dollar industry.
esports tournaments blur the lines between traditional sporting events, broadcasting and interactive entertainment and present a number of interesting legal considerations which necessitate specialist advice from lawyers equipped to handle the full spectrum of issues be they contractual, regulatory or strategic. Our team is comprised of leading video games and sports industry lawyers who have significant experience advising on the staging, financing, sponsorship, exploitation, protection and broadcasting of live events.
As a full-service firm with one of the leading interactive entertainment practices in Europe and an established track record of advising clients in connection with world class live events, we are uniquely positioned to provide an end-to-end service.
We can advise you on:
- Event broadcasting agreements
- Event financing agreements
- Event management agreements
- Promoter agreements
- Sponsorship agreements
- Supplier agreements
- Team participation agreements
- Ticketing agreements
- Venue hire agreements
- Website hosting agreements
- Advertising and promoting eSports events, in particular online and via social media.
A leading international interactive entertainment publisher
We advised a leading international interactive entertainment publisher on a variety of issues they faced in relation to their Europe-wide eSports tournaments, including providing regulatory advice and drafting various ancillary agreements for the event.
Michael Lister
Partner
E: michael.lister@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Alan Moss
Partner
E: alan.moss@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Mark Phillips
Partner
E: mark.phillips@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Bob Mitchell
Partner
E: bob.mitchell@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Kostyantyn Lobov
Senior Associate
E: kostyantyn.lobov@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Mike Jones
Associate
E: mike.jones@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000