The Chicago Video Game Law Summit is an annual event dedicated to exploring the unique legal challenges and considerations within the video game industry. Organized by Loading Law, a Chicago-based law practice specializing in video game law, the summit brings together game developers, industry representatives, and legal experts to discuss and debate the latest issues in video game law. The fifth annual summit was held at the Chicago Bar Association on October 25, 2019.
The 2019 summit featured a series of academic panels covering a range of topics pertinent to the video game industry. Sessions included discussions on intellectual property and data issues for game-related businesses and non-profits, challenges in patenting video games and virtual reality, and the regulation of video games as both enterprise and art. Additionally, the summit addressed current issues in video game law and provided legal basics for indie developers.
In addition to the panel discussions, the summit featured an interactive video game showcase highlighting Chicago-made games and their creators. Notable speakers included Ross A. Hersemann, founder of Loading Law and organizer of the summit, Liz Surette of Overclocked Legal, and Scott M. Kelly, partner at Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., who discussed challenges in patenting video games and virtual reality.
The summit is designed for game developers, industry professionals, legal experts, and anyone interested in the intersection of law and video games. It offers a platform for networking, learning about the latest legal developments in the industry, and engaging with peers and experts in the field.
Speakers(7)
Adam Wolek
Partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Adam Wolek protects the intellectual property of some of the world’s largest companies, including those in the wireless, internet and technology industries. Adam has successfully litigated and negotiated numerous patent, copyright and trademark infringement, trade secret and business disputes for his clients. He also assists clients with IP licensing. Prior to joining Taft, Adam worked at both Big Law and boutique law firms and taught patent law, which has provided him with a breadth of experience working with companies of all sizes.
Brandon J. Huffman
Founder at Odin Law and Media
Brandon J. Huffman is an attorney and founder of Odin Law and Media, which focuses on counseling video game and interactive media clients on issues related to intellectual property and corporate growth, content, licensing and publishing. Brandon also serves as general counsel to the International Game Developers Association. His clients include game and software developers, new and traditional media companies, animators and others at the intersection of technology and creativity. He is the engagement editor for Business Law Today and he chairs the Sports and Entertainment Council of the North Carolina Bar Association.
Liz Surette
Attorney at Overclocked Legal
Liz Surette is an attorney serving the game development community by providing a variety of legal services specific to protect their assets. She has written articles for Gamasutra, and has spoken about legal issues in games at PAX East, local game development events, and the American Bar Association's Business Law conference.
Marc Whipple
Attorney at Whipple Legal Services
Marc Whipple grew up in Iowa and has a degree in Physics and Math from Drake University. After receiving his J.D. from John Marshall, he became the General Counsel for Meyer/Glass Design, a Chicago invention studio descended from legendary innovation firm Marvin Glass & Associates. When Meyer/Glass started an interactive division, he helped set up, grow, and eventually spin off the software studio, in the meantime negotiating development agreements with companies like Hasbro Interactive and Microsoft for PC and console titles.
Meredith Mays Espino
Corporate Counsel at Accuity
With over five (5) years of privacy experience, and over ten years of regulatory compliance experience, Meredith counsels companies on using personal data responsibly. She has experience in providing guidance when issues or questions arise involving GLBA, HIPAA, FCRA, TCPA, CAN-SPAM, EU GDPR, Privacy Shield, CASL, and PIPEDA. For the last two years, she has served as Chair, Chicago Bar Association's Cyber Law and Data Privacy Committee. She has earned IAPP's CIPP/US and CIPM certifications, and was named a Fellow in Privacy in 2018. She earned her Juris Doctor (JD) and LLM, Information Technology & Privacy Law at The John Marshall Law School.
Ross A. Hersemann
Founder at Loading Law
Ross is the Founder of Loading Law, a Chicago-based law practice, and provides legal counsel to video game developers and entrepreneurs in the tech sector. Ross is also the Organizer of the Chicago Video Game Law Summit and an Adjunct Professor of Video Game Law at DePaul University. He speaks frequently on hot topics in law and technology. Ross also serves as the Chair of IGDA Chicago, Chair of the CBA YLS Creative Arts Committee, and Vice Chair of the ABA Digital Games and New Media Committee.
Scott M. Kelly
Partner at Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
Scott represents clients throughout the life of an invention or creation — from the birth of an idea through procuring patents or other IP rights and enforcing them to protect key technologies and business interests. Scott also counsels clients on validity, infringement, and other issues presented by asserted intellectual property rights or potential acquisitions. Scott has developed a particular niche for himself in the videogame industry. He has helped protect games such as Wargaming’s World of Tanks and Techland’s Dying Light. Scott serves as chair for the Digital Games and New Media committee of the American Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Law Section, and writes on the impact of IP law on the business of videogames at PatentArcade.com.
Event Details
- Date
- October 25, 2019
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Chicago, United States
- Chicago Bar Association
- Pricing
- Free
- Audience
- Game developers, industry professionals, legal experts, and individuals interested in video game law.
- CLE Credits
- CLE accreditation pending
- Attendees
- Not specified