E-sports, an exciting and constantly developing industry with many actors, needs a well-regulated legal framework in order to expand sustainably. At Güzeloğlu, we provide legal services regarding e-sports by building our strategy on a solution-oriented approach.
In the last thirty years, it is not a secret that
technological infrastructure accommodating video games has advanced rapidly as
a result of developments in numerous disciplines of science. Video games, which
may make one to reprogram his time perception, has teamed up with numerous
ground-breaking high-tech capabilities, including virtual reality, wearable
gaming gear, augmented reality and cloud gaming. In parallel with this, online
streaming services such as Twitch and Hitbox have enable millions to reach and
join a big community, which was eventually named e-Sports. Today, according to
market researchers like Newzoo, it is estimated that e-Sports industry will
reach a financial growth of USD 1,5 Billion and attract over 500 Million world
citizens by 2020.
E-sports, which is competitive video gaming by
individual players or teams for a designated prize on national or international
sphere, possesses a vibrant, synergetic and ever-developing community composed
of game publishers, competitions that are held regularly, players, teams that
are established on their own initiative and other leagues. Importantly,
competitive nature of e-Sports has driven major professional actors in the global
and domestic industries, including Turkey, to review their relations with other
parties in terms of legal context.
At this point, Güzeloğlu offers, below exemplified
services with its dynamic and solution-oriented team.
- Drafting and revising
contracts of e-Sports players between their teams, sponsors and leagues;
- Representing e-sports
players before disciplinary bodies regarding disciplinary measures and alleged
doping violations;
- Representing e-sports
players, league and competition organizers before competent authorities in
context of labor and social security law, intellectual property law and tax
law;
- Assisting in
establishment of good-governance mechanisms that promotes integrity and
sustainability before competent international and national federations,
including Turkish Developing Sports Federation, in light of legal regulations
and principles;
- Devising legal
instruments in order to secure conduct of e-sports organizations on the grounds
of integrity and fairness, along with eliminating any action that could
jeopardize outcome of such organizations, in cooperation with relevant bodies,
teams and players;
- Drafting and revising
broadcasting contract regarding streaming of e-Sports event between streaming
operators, competition organizers, teams or players.