Esports Legal News is thrilled to welcome Valentin de Roany as our new Project Coordinator for Esports Tournaments and Legal Databases. Valentin brings a unique blend of legal acumen and esports expertise, honed through years of dedication in both fields.

Currently in his final year of law studies, Valentin has already made a significant impact in the legal world. A distinguished mooter, he represented his university at an international competition, playing a key role in securing a top placement for his team. His passion for the law extends beyond the classroom, where he revitalized mooting and negotiation programs, mentoring new students and sharpening the skills of seasoned advocates.

Valentin’s journey in the esports realm is equally impressive. He has served in various coaching roles, nurturing the growth of promising talents and leading teams to success. His leadership in a grassroots esports organization, where he navigated cultural and linguistic challenges, showcases his ability to build bridges and drive success across different regions.

With dual French-Australian citizenship, Valentin is well-versed in connecting diverse esports communities. He brings his rich experiences to Esports Legal News, where he will streamline complex legal information and contribute to the growth of our esports initiatives. Though he’s always eager to share his insights, Valentin remains careful to distinguish his advice from formal legal counsel.

We are excited to see Valentin apply his leadership, strategic thinking, and passion for esports to help drive Esports Legal News to new heights.

In cooperation with international lawyers Leonid Shmatenko (Eversheds Sutherland) and Rodolphe Ruffié-Farrugia (Clifford Chance) as well as Esports Legal News, this inaugural event aims to set the standard for esports-focused legal conferences worldwide.

ESI Events and the co-organisers intend for “Play By The Rules” to provide a platform for legal professionals (including attorneys, in-house-lawyers, academics and students), industry stakeholders, and esports enthusiasts to delve into the complex legal landscape of the esports sector. The forum will have a focus on player contracts, intellectual property, governance and regulation, streaming rights and more.

Key Dates

• September 24, 2024: Play By The Rules Conference (Concurrent with ESI Lisbon Day 1 and taking place at the same venue)

• September 25, 2024: Exclusive access for PBTR speakers, sponsors, and VIP guests to ESI Lisbon Day 2 and the SBC Summit

“Play By The Rules” will cover a broad spectrum of legal questions affecting the global esports industry through stage talks, roundtable discussions and focussed group networking, with an emphasis on creating actionable takeaways for attendees. Key areas of discussion will include:

• Player contracts and rights
• Intellectual property challenges
• Governance and regulatory frameworks
• Streaming and broadcasting rights
• Dispute resolution mechanisms

Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend the evening social event, the ESI Film Festival at the MEO Arena with food and beverage, gaining detailed insights into esports, gaming and intersecting industries through short films that shine a light on stories behind the screens.

Running alongside the SBC Summit, which anticipates over 25,000 attendees, ESI Lisbon will feature:

• Esports Leaders Summit
• ESI Film Festival
• ESI Hall of Fame
• Checkpoint
• The Clutch

Already confirmed attendees at ESI Lisbon include:

• Formula One 
• Savvy Games 
• UNICEF
• Samsung Ads
• OverActive Media
• Deutsche Telekom
• Radisson Hotel Group
• Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One
• Twitch
• BLAST
• ESL FACEIT Group
• Chess.com 
• Electronic Arts
• Ubisoft
• City Football Group
• Visit Raleigh
• Team Liquid
• Moonton
• Visit Qatar
• OG Esports
• Wasserman 
• & many, many more

Sam Cooke, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Esports Insider, said:

“We are thrilled to launch ‘Play By The Rules’ in partnership with Leonid Shmatenko of Eversheds Sutherland and Rodolphe Ruffié-Farrugia of Clifford Chance as part of ESI Lisbon 2024. Our new esports legal forum  represents a first and important step in addressing the complex legal challenges within the esports industry, providing a dedicated forum for discussion, innovation, and actionable solutions. By bringing together the brightest minds in esports law, we aim to set a new standard for legal excellence in this rapidly evolving sector.”

Leonid Shmatenko, Senior Associate at Eversheds Sutherland and Founder of Esports Legal News, commented:

“After an extensive search for a comparable event in the market, I found numerous conferences that addressed video games law but none that focused specifically on the unique legal challenges in esports. Esports is a rapidly growing field with its own set of legal considerations, and it is high time we had a dedicated platform to address these issues. I approached ESI with this concept and their enthusiasm and commitment to excellence made them the perfect partner. Together, we aim to set new standards in the esports law conference world, providing invaluable insights and fostering a deeper understanding of the legal landscape in esports.”

Rodolphe Ruffié-Farrugia, Counsel at Clifford Chance and co-founder of Esports Legal News, said:

“For years now, esports has been a booming industry and we have witnessed the emergence of a wide variety of professional stakeholders, including the players themselves, their teams, the leagues, tournament organisers… Yet, the legal industry has not been as quick in adapting to the unique needs and high stakes at play in esports, no doubt because lawyers and gamers tend to evolve in different worlds. Knowing well these communities from within both personally and professionally, I have made it a mission years ago to build bridges between them. I feel very lucky to have found like-minded peers in Leonid and ESI to create this first-of-its-kind summit, a turning point in bringing esports and the law together.”

Tickets to B2B esports, games and creator economy event and industry festival ESI Lisbon are still available. Early bird tickets offering 33% off are available until August 23rd. For more information and to purchase a ticket, click here.

International Olympic Committee Partners with Saudi NOC for Inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025

In a historic move, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a partnership with the Saudi National Olympic Committee (NOC) to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025. This groundbreaking event is set to feature a diverse range of game titles, further promoting the sport on a global scale. Saudi Arabia, recognized as a major player in the esports arena, is dedicated to celebrating Olympic values while highlighting the future of competitive gaming.

The partnership signals a significant evolution in the legal and organizational framework of esports, aligning it more closely with traditional sports. This development is expected to have profound implications for the regulatory landscape, governance, and international cooperation within the esports community.

The duration of the partnership between the IOC and the Saudi NOC will be 12 years, with Olympic Esports Games held regularly.

Implications for National Teams and Esports Governance

One of the key aspects of this partnership is the potential impact on national teams and the sense of national pride in esports. While these elements are currently underdeveloped compared to traditional sports, the Olympic Esports Games could serve as a catalyst for change. The involvement of the IOC and the structure of the Olympic Games provide a unique opportunity to formalize and elevate the status of national esports teams, fostering a stronger sense of national representation and pride.

This move also underscores the long-term prospects for esports as a legitimate and globally recognized sport. While the short-term impact may be limited, the strategic importance of this partnership cannot be overstated. It sets the stage for future growth, enhanced governance, and increased investment in the esports ecosystem.

Statements from Key Figures

In the official press release, Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, emphasized the significance of this partnership:

“Saudi Arabia is hugely excited by the prospect of partnering with the IOC and helping to welcome a completely new era for international sport. We believe that to take part in the Olympic Games is one of the greatest honours any athlete can achieve. And we are proud to support the writing of a new chapter in Olympic history that has the potential to inspire new dreams and new ambitions for literally millions of athletes around the world.

As a ‘first’ ever Esports Olympic Games, obviously there is still much to consider and plan with the IOC, but we are committed to hosting a special event that respects and celebrates the Olympic values while boldly seizing the momentum to drive esports forward with the international platform the sport and its athletes deserve. The world will have an open invitation to join us in 2025 and celebrate this moment together.”

HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sport in Saudi Arabia, also expressed his enthusiasm:

“We are very fortunate to be able to work with the Saudi NOC on the Olympic Esports Games, because it has great – if not unique – expertise in the field of esports with all its stakeholders. The Olympic Esports Games will greatly benefit from this experience.”

Conclusion

The announcement of the Olympic Esports Games marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of esports. As legal and organizational frameworks continue to develop, the collaboration between the IOC and Saudi NOC sets a precedent for the future of the industry. The esports community eagerly anticipates the inaugural event in 2025, which promises to redefine the landscape of competitive gaming.

Source: IOC