Video Game Law
The McArthur Law Firm is the premier law firm for video game studios, publishers, and tabletop game companies worldwide.
A few of our several hundred game clients include: Gearbox, Team SoloMid (Esports), Studio MDHR (Cuphead), Yacht Club Games (Shovel Knight), Big Duck Games (Flow Free – mobile game with over 500 million downloads worldwide), Gun Media (Friday the 13th), Dogumbomb (Blue Prince).
If your AAA development studio is looking to take their legal representation to the next level, or if your indie game company is seeking experienced legal advice for the first time, please Contact Us Here. A few of the services we provide are:
- Trademark, Copyright, and Patent Registrations
- IP litigation
- Intellectual Property Audit and Diligence
- Publishing Agreements and Distribution Deals
- Brand and Music Licensing Agreements
- Terms of Use, Privacy Agreements, EU GDPR and COPPA compliance
- General Outside Counsel Services for AAA Video Game Companies
- Formation and Structuring of Companies
- Venture Capital Financing Rounds – Angel to Series A
- Esports contracts
Stephen McArthur, who provides legal services under the registered trademark “The Video Game Lawyer”®, is a frequent invited speaker at games industry events such as GDC, PAX, GamesBeat Summit, Pocket Gamer, and many other gaming conferences.
Mr. McArthur also provides legal services, intellectual property consulting services, and educational videos about IP issues under the brand Video Game Law School.
Your Trusted Legal Partner for Video Game Developers, Publishers, and Creators
Navigating the legal landscape of the video game industry requires not only expertise in intellectual property law, contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance but also an intimate understanding of the gaming world itself. For nearly 20 years, our firm has been dedicated exclusively to video game law, offering far greater industry-specific experience than firms that broadly cover “entertainment law.”
As the leading video game attorney, Stephen McArthur is passionate about providing practical, tailored solutions to the unique challenges faced by video game companies. From protecting your intellectual property and securing trademarks to navigating complex publishing contracts for bootstrapped indie game developers, we deliver the expert guidance you need to succeed in a competitive industry.
If you’re searching for The Video Game Lawyer®, a seasoned trademark attorney for video games, guidance on how to copyright your game assets, or specialized advice in gaming law matters such as licensing agreements, developer contracts, and publishing deals, then you’ve come to the right place. At The McArthur Law Firm, we are committed to being your trusted video game law firm.
Below are several in-depth articles that The Videogame Lawyer has written on video game law.
Clone Wars: The Five Most Important Copyright Cases Every Game Developer Should Know
Responding to Intellectual Property Theft Without Damaging Your Company’s Reputation
Article published in Wired regarding the Fortnite dance emote lawsuits
Five Reasons to Trademark Your Video Game Today
Right Of Publicity In Video Games
Do I need Patents for my video game?
Is the “Legacy” Genre of Board Games Protected by Trademark or Patent?
Why You Should Always Register the Trademark on your Kickstarter Game
The McArthur Law Firm Secures “Let’s Play” To the Public Domain Over Sony’s Attempted Trademark Registration For It
A representative sample of our clients include:
Expert Legal Services for Game Developers, Publishers, and Mobile Apps
We’re gamers and lawyers with a combined 30+ years of experience in video game law. We know the industry players and terminology; you don’t need to take your valuable time teaching us the landscape. Our firm offers legal solutions for publishers, AAA studios, indie developers, and mobile app creators. As experts in video game copyright and video game trademark law, we understand the unique challenges facing game creators and know where we can help—even for things you might not have thought of. From pre-development legal planning to post-launch enforcement, our firm supports the full life cycle of your creative work.
We specialize in video game law, offering cutting-edge legal representation for developers, publishers, and studios of all sizes. If you need a law firm that speaks the language of gamers and creators, we’re it. We’ve advised clients on global video game copyright strategies, developed long-term video game trademark portfolios, and consulted on a wide range of business and creative challenges—all rooted in a comprehensive understanding of the industry and video game law. We don’t just protect games—we protect your freedom to keep doing what you love.
Comprehensive Legal Services for the Gaming Industry
Video Game IP
Your game’s creative assets are its lifeblood, and we’ve made it our mission to protect that valuable IP. We help clients register and enforce video game copyrights to protect visual assets, storylines, music, and source code. We navigate the complex web of worldwide video game trademark law to register brand names, logos, and character identities that make games unique in the global marketplace. Our team stays ahead of evolving legal standards and digital rights enforcement so you can focus on what you do best—building amazing creations.
Video Game Litigation
Sometimes litigation is a necessity—you can trust us to know when to strike an amicable tone and when to be aggressive. We’re strategic; think smart bomb, not nuclear warhead. We handle video game law issues on the sides of both plaintiff and defense, and have regularly appeared and argued in federal district court, federal courts of appeal, and the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board.
Copyright infringement can quickly cause irreparable harm to a game’s user base and image. As leaders in video game law, we understand the importance of timely, aggressive legal action—including submitting takedown notices, sending cease-and-desist letters, and if necessary, filing lawsuits. On the defense side, if your studio is facing unsupported infringement claims, we know the law and how to develop key facts to build a solid case and put a stop to any bullying. For video game trademarks and branding, we can help you choose a mark that is defensible and protect your brand against unauthorized use and confusion in the marketplace. We also have substantial experience in software patent litigation—including victories for a mobile app company in federal district court and the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.
Video Game Licenses and Contracts
Sound, understandable contracts are critical to game development and distribution. Our video game lawyers regularly negotiate incoming and outbound licenses for music, software, characters, and brands. Our goal is to ensure that every video game contract clearly delineates rights, royalties, and responsibilities while safeguarding your video game copyright and video game trademark interests.
We also specialize in crafting clear, enforceable independent contractor, composer, and developer agreements tailored to the gaming industry. With deep knowledge of the video game arena, we ensure your contracts address video game copyright ownership, scope of work, and compensation to prevent future disputes. Our team helps you safeguard your assets and maintain full control over your game’s content, branding, and development. From indie projects to AAA titles, The McArthur Law Firm delivers tailored legal solutions to help you avoid costly disputes and build strong, enforceable agreements that support long-term success in the gaming world.
Other Video Game Law Services
- Compliance & Privacy: Ensuring compliance with GDPR, COPPA, and the global web of relevant regulations.
- Corporate Formation & Structuring: Establishing and organizing your game development company.
- Esports Contracts: Drafting and reviewing agreements for teams and players.
- Day to day clearance and legal advising.
We know the gaming industry and its players and the key video game law cases and legal decisions. Unlike lawyers at general “entertainment” firms, you won’t need to waste time training us before we can talk in depth. We implement strategic legal protections, draft enforceable contracts, and pursue infringement claims to safeguard your assets in every region where you operate.
Trusted by Video Game Industry Leaders
Our firm is a recognized leader in video game law—led by Stephen McArthur, who regularly speaks at gaming cons and is often quoted in news articles on legal issues in the gaming world. We’ve successfully represented hundreds of gaming industry clients. If you’re searching for The Video Game Lawyer®, seasoned video game trademark and video game copyright attorneys, guidance on how to protect your game assets, or specialized advice in gaming law issues like licensing agreements, developer contracts, and publishing deals, then you’ve come to the right place, and we would like to talk with you.
At The McArthur Law Firm, we are committed to being your trusted video game law firm.
Level up your legal protection—safeguard your code, characters, and creative rights.

