CVGLS is Chicago’s premiere video game law related event. It is a day of academic panels devoted to the nuanced way video games require unique legal protections from a myriad of diverse legal disciplines. Game developers, industry representatives, and legal experts will explore, explain, and debate the latest issues in video game law. In addition to academic panel presentations on a variety of special topics in video game law, this year’s Summit will include an interactive video game showcase featuring Chicago-made games, their creators, and an assembly of Chicago’s video game related organizations.
The Changing Scene of eSports and Gambling
This panel will explore whether or not eSports are subject to existing gambling regulations, and will discuss recent legislative steps taken to clarify this issue. Topics to be discussed include: the current legal status of eSports in the United States and abroad, recently proposed eSports regulations, existing gambling regulations as applied to eSports, and the inherent difficulties in regulating evolving technologies.
- Jason Greenglass, Robert Morris University
- Ryan Morrison, The Law Offices of Ryan P. Morrison
- Lydia Picknell, PARADIGM
- Marc Whipple, Tech Industry GC
- (Moderator) Ross A. Hersemann, Loading Law
Recent Developments in Video Game Law
This panel will explore recent litigation, legislation, and transactions in video game law. Topics to be discussed include: changing copyright fair use standards, the public relations risks of aggressive trademark filing, crowdfunding issues, FTC related advertising issues, and generally, the legal specialization of video game law itself.
- S. Gregory Boyd, Frankfurt Kurnit
- Ryan Morrison, The Law Offices of Ryan P. Morrison
- Patrick Sweeney, IE Law Group
- Marc Whipple, Tech Industry GC
Privacy, Harassment, and Free Speech in Virtual Worlds
This panel will address the unique difficulties involved in preventing harassment in video games and social media, while still protecting privacy and free speech. Topics to be discussed include: content regulation for minors and relevant legislation, industry efforts to ensure compliance and safety for all persons, and recent impactful litigation in the field.
- Dona Fraser, Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)
- Lydia Picknell, PARADIGM
- Benjamin H. Richman, Edelson PC
- (Moderator) Sarah Sexton, Microsoft
Video Games and the Right of Publicity
This panel will explore the right of publicity and how it has been inconsistently applied to video games. As video game graphics become increasingly realistic and the use of personal likenesses in games becomes more prevalent, the issue of when personal likenesses can be used is a heated debate. Topics to be discussed include: recent litigation and an overview of seminal cases in the field.
- Frank Goldberg, Zynga Inc.
- Gilbert Lee, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP
- Frank Sperling, Schiff Hardin LLP
- (Moderator) William K. Ford, The John Marshall Law School
The History of the Video Game Industry in Chicago
This panel will highlight how the city of Chicago has been a hub for the video game industry since its very inception. Topics to be discussed include: Chicago-made games from past and present, the rise, fall, and resurgence of the city’s arcade scene, and Chicago’s enduring and evolving status as a platform for video game development.
- Brian Colin, Game Refuge, Inc
- Jeff Lee, D. Gottlieb and Company
- Martin Goldberg, Video Game Historian
- Josh Tsui, Robomodo
- (Moderator) Doc Mack, Galloping Ghost Arcade
The CVGLS 2016 Video Game Showcase
- Absorb,
- Battle Chef Brigade, Trinket Studios
- Boot Hill Bounties, Experimental Gamer Studios
- Brighter Day, The Loneliest Pixel
- Codemancer, Important Little Games
- Dark Presence, Galloping Ghosts Productions
- Dribble, WojWorks
- Manifold Garden, William Chyr Studio
- Octodad Dadliest Catch, Younh Horses
- Omnibus, Buddy Cops LLC
- Prognosis, Ashlyn Sparrow
- Sausage Sports Club, Chris Wade
- Tango Paradise, Andy Saia
- Telepath Tactics, Sinister Design
- We Are Chicago, Culture Shock Games, LLC
- A collection of Chicago arcade games, courtesy of Doc Mack and the Galloping Ghosts Arcade
- A collection of Chicago video game memorabilia and history, courtesy of Martin Goldberg
- With support from: Bit Bash, Chicago Loot Drop, I Need Diverse Games, IGDA Chicago, Sugar Gamers, VGA Gallery, and the Voxelles
