Game On: The Rising Prevalence of Patent-Related Issues in the Video Game Industry

摘要

In its relatively short existence, the video game industry has experienced tremendous change. Advancements in technology have allowed developers to consistently upgrade and improve the entertainment value of their games. Simple television apparatuses were eventually replaced by computer console units and massive online virtual communities. The evolution of video game technology, in turn, facilitated an accompanying rise in the prevalence of IP law. Although patent issues were relegated to the back burner in the early years, the increasing complexity of the video game design and production process enabled patents to play an increasingly important role in the video game industry.