Should Video Game Developers Hire an Intellectual Property Lawyer?

Video game developers are responsible for one of the most prominent facets of the entertainment industry. In fact, according to one study, carried out by Statista, roughly 53 percent of all U.S. households have at least one video game console. The intellectual property that video game developers create and own is extremely valuable, which is why all video game developers should do everything in their power to protect it. This is precisely why, if you are a developer, you should consider hiring a competent Orleans Parish, Louisiana intellectual property lawyer. Read on to learn more about how Lemler IP can help you.

Why Video Game Developers Should Hire an Intellectual Property Lawyer

There are several reasons why video game developers should consider hiring a lawyer to help protect their IP. To start, a lawyer can ensure their work is copyrightable and that they file their copyright correctly. Here in the United States, video games are traditionally protected by copyright, however, U.S. law breaks these copyrights down into two primary types: source code copyrights and audiovisual work copyrights.

You should also note that source code, music, art, and dialog used in a video game can be protected by copyright law, but general gameplay elements of a video game are, generally, not copyrightable. An attorney can help illustrate this distinction for you, inform you of exactly what is copyrightable and what may not be, and, from there, properly submit all relevant documentation to the U.S. Copyright Office on your behalf. Submitting this documentation correctly and timely is a crucial part of the process, and without a lawyer, you run the risk of making certain critical errors.

Once your work has been successfully copyrighted, a lawyer can manage your IP portfolio and ensure your copyright isn’t infringed upon at any point. If you have a business partner, an attorney can help resolve any disputes that may arise along the way. An IP lawyer can also help draft up, review, and negotiate important contracts on your behalf to ensure your interests are protected at every turn.

Finally, a competent intellectual property lawyer can help give you peace of mind. Your job, as a video game developer, is to innovate. An IP lawyer’s job is to handle the legal aspect of things while you focus on what matters most to you: creating new works.

If you are a video game developer or own any other type of intellectual property and you wish to protect it, simply contact Lemler IP today. Lemler IP is here to walk you through each step of the process and safeguard what matters most to you.