This November, Dr Michaela MacDonald, Senior Lecturer in Management at the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, and Dr Gaetano Dimita, Reader at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, each authored a chapter in the European Audiovisual Observatory's report on the video games sector, titled "Legal Challenges and Market Dynamics in the Video Games Sector."
Authored by leading experts from across Europe, this inaugural report (commissioned by the Observatory) is divided into three main sections and provides key insights into one of Europe’s most dynamic creative industries.
Dr Michaela MacDonald authored Chapter 3 which explores the challenges of defining what constitutes a video game. The chapter highlights the complexities of defining "video games" to clarify the regulatory framework that applies to the sector. It also discusses the shift from physical products to interactive digital services, dividing the sector into three primary segments: console games, PC games, and casual mobile games. This definitional challenge has significant implications for compliance with laws concerning intellectual property, consumer protection, and emerging AI regulations.
Dr Gaetano Dimita contributed to Chapter 4, focusing on the EU's legal provisions and national approaches to the protection of video games. The chapter outlines the intricate landscape of intellectual property law in the EU, where legislation offers various types of copyright protection for the visual, audio, and software elements that make up a video game. Harmonising copyright approaches across different national jurisdictions remains a significant challenge.
The report emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, encouraging research that examines the video game and interactive entertainment industry through multiple lenses. It serves as a vital resource that connects academia, industry, and policy.
Following the publication, the European Audiovisual Observatory organised a workshop titled "Game On: Decoding the Video Games Sector" at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg. Dr Michaela McDonald represented Queen Mary University at the event, shaping the future of video games through collaboration and shared insights. The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders—including lawyers, academics, game developers, users, industry associations, and funding bodies—to discuss the multifaceted challenges and opportunities facing the European video games industry. Topics ranged from market dynamics and legal issues to funding and emerging technologies such as AI and the metaverse.
You can download the report "Legal Challenges and Market Dynamics in the Video Games Sector" here.