A leading force in the video games industry, Harbottle & Lewis LLP is trusted by major global publishers, IP owners, developers, trade associations and esports organisations. The firm handles a mix of contentious and non-contentious issues, including IP portfolio management and litigation, as well as regulatory, commercial and transactional matters. The practice, which has been consistently growing its indie developer client base, is often engaged in M&A and investment rounds in the gaming sector. Gaming experts Kostyantyn Lobov and Mark Phillips jointly oversee the department. Bringing together expertise in IP, commercial and regulatory law, Lobov assists major client with domestic and international mandates. Widely respected throughout Europe, co-head Phillips regularly advises publishers on major commercial agreements, and studios on video games tax credit, regulatory and commercial issues. Rupam Davé focuses his practice on technology and commercial partnerships, providing advice on development deals and emerging technologies. Mike Jones is noted for his work for start-up studios and major publishers.

RPC‘s interactive entertainment and esports practice is led by newly promoted partner and gaming expert Josh Charalambous, who excels in advising esports teams, investors and publishers on a commercial and regulatory issues. The group acts for an impressive client roster comprised of major publishers, developers, content companies and esports organisations, who routinely turn to the team for assistance with a wide range of matters, from commercial contracts, to data protection, advertising, IP and competition. Jeremy Drew handles sponsorship deals and content issues for gaming and esports clients, while Oliver Bray leverages his expertise in digital platforms and advertising to assist clients operating in this space. David Cran plays a prominent role in high-profile disputes.

Sheridans‘ interactive, advertising and design group has a strong presence in the computer games and interactive entertainment segments, assisting a plethora of gaming clients, including publishers, developers, esports teams, streamers and influencers. The team has wide-ranging expertise covering regulatory, commercial and transactional matters, and is singled out for its skills in AI, VR/XR, Web3 and NFTs. Practice head Alex Tutty ‘is a legend in the industry’ and co-leads the group alongside Jamie Smith. Tutty, who frequently contributes to publications relating to emerging areas of law and IP within the gaming sector, advises on game development. Alex Chapman is a gaming expert who focuses on acting for game developers and content creators in a slew of gaming-related commercial issues. Rahul Gandhi is active in bridge financing transactions for game development studios and technology start-ups, while Anna Poulter-Jones actively advises the video game and tabletop game industries on commercial and IP matters.

Fielding one of the leading interactive entertainment practices in the market, Wiggin LLP advises clients from the video gaming products and services industry on 'diverse matters related to game development', including contractual matters, IP protection and clearance, and regulatory compliance. The team attracts instructions from major global gaming publishers and developers, content creators, platforms, esports companies, technology companies and industry trade associations, which often seek advice on sensitive matters, such as online safety, monetisation and child protection. Practice head Paul Gardner 'is exceptionally experienced and has a deep understanding of the video game industry'. Peter Lewin provides 'practical, prompt and concise, as well as always industry-specific' advice on a host of commercial and regulatory gaming matters, the latter of which is a key area of focus for Isabel Davies.

Best known for its strength in tech-related matters, Bird & Bird LLP's media, entertainment and sports group advises video game companies on game developments, data regulation, as well as commercial challenges and opportunities. Focused on commercial and contractual matters, Will Deller assists with games publishing and development agreements, while Phil Sherrell specialises in media and IP law.

DLA Piper‘s media and entertainment practice advises multinational corporations and publishers on video game and interactive content matters, including AI, web3, lootboxes and other related issues. Video games expert Duncan Calow, who brings together expertise in technology and e-commerce, is the name to note for contractual and commercial issues in the gaming sector. Practice head Nick Fitzpatrick advises global rights holders on esports matters, while John Wilks and Elinor Cavil focus on promotions for online games. Ally Clark is well versed in commercial, IP and regulatory issues relating to the gaming industry.

Lee & Thompson LLP‘s video gaming practice is led by digital and tech law specialist Julian Ward, who excels in matters relating to the development and publication of video games, and is noted for his 'outstanding level of knowledge within the field of digital entertainment, IP and video games'. Instructed by independent publishers, indie studios, global video game companies and platforms, the team is particularly skilled in mobile gaming, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) issues. The group also assists gaming companies with IP, data privacy and corporate mandates, including M&A transactions. Andy Florence is active in esports, online platform distribution and video game publishing matters.

Nick Allan leads the interactive entertainment group at Lewis Silkin which handles a wide range of matters in the gaming segment, including IP, regulatory data protection and content distribution issues, as well as commercial contract negotiations concerning game development, publishing and licensing agreements. The team attracts instructions from multinational video game publishers, external developers, and independent developers. Allan who stands out for his regulatory, commercial and IP knowledge of the video gaming sector, and is regularly sought out by clients to advise on external video game development deals. The team has also grown its practice in relation to providing regional trade associations with legal advice following the arrival of Laura Harper from Irwin Mitchell in May 2023.

The media and entertainment group at Reed Smith LLP assists notable gaming studios, e-sports companies and technology corporations. The practice stands out in the market for its international focus, often working alongside teams from its global network on cross-border gaming matters. Elle Todd leads the wider media and entertainment group from London, while the video game team is under the joint leadership of Gregor Pryor and Sophie Goossens. Pryor advises gaming clients on web3 and music rights-related issues, and Goossens is noted for her expertise in technology and gaming, including copyright matters. Nick Breen focuses on cross-border licensing and transactional mandates.

Taylor Wessing LLP‘s gaming practice is known for its prowess in publishing, and has more recently advised clients on generative AI models for user generated games and regulatory issues involving the Digital Services Act (DSA). The team advises major publishers, developers and investors from the video gaming industry on a host of legal matters, covering monetisation and revenue models, commercial agreements, IP, gambling regulation and M&A. The team is co-led by Graham Hann and Robert Fenner. Hann advises on player acquisition, IP, data and a myriad of other gaming-related issues. Fenner and Paul Thorpe handle corporate matters for gaming clients, while Xuyang Zhu advises on digital content services,  media rights and AI issues. Richard Faichney is active in investments and M&A in the gaming industry.

Combining expertise in social media, interactive content and gaming, Baker McKenzie is a popular choice for multinational media players seeking advice on video gaming-related matters. Digital media specialist Ben Allgrove has assisted video gaming publishers with complex regulatory matters, and is adept in IP-related issues such as third party rights and in-bound content licensing.

Fieldfisher fields a corporate-focused video gaming practice which advises major publishers and developers on corporate matters, including M&A transactions. The team also draws on its strong data privacy capabilities to assist gaming clients with data-related issues. Practice head John Brunning is a key contact for contractual and regulatory mandates, showcasing strength in digital regulations and publishing agreements. Ed Westhead acts for listed and unlisted gaming companies in corporate and M&A matters.