ABOSG and DIGDA - Saturday, May 19

I just wanted to make everyone aware that this Saturday, there are two events at the NTEC in Frisco. I will be speaking in the first, and moderating the panel in the second.  My understanding is both are open to the public at large, but you need to register on Eventbrite.

A Bunch of Short Guys
10-noon
The Business of Animation
Panel discussion with local experts in entertainment law, freelance and contract employment, taxes, tips and tricks:

• all professional animators
• freelancers
• students

Solid ground information needed after the initial starry eyed dream begins.


Dallas IGDA
2-4
Big changes in State and City Incentives Learn about the increase in money for you and decrease in effort on your part!

Speakers:

• Evan Fitzmaurice, Director Texas Film Commission, Office of the Governor
• Trish Avery, Executive Director of Screen Actors Guild For Houston and DFW
• Janis Burkland, Director of the Dallas Film Commission

Both events are at:
NTEC
6170 Research Road
Frisco, TX 75034
(972) 987-1400

Hope to see some of you there!

Dallas IGDA - Crowdfunding and Kickstarter

For anyone in the Dallas area, the Dallas IGDA is hosting an event on crowdfunding and Kickstarter on April 11, at the Fox and Hound in Richardson. More details can be found here. Please feel free to come out and join us if you can!

Reminder: The Big Debate is This Weekend!

I just wanted to take a moment to remind everyone that the big debate between Jack Thompson and me is this coming Saturday, July 4, 2009, at 4 pm in Dallas, TX, at the ScrewAttack Gaming Convention. The convention is at the Westin Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport, starting this Friday and ending on Sunday.

They've updated the event page to note that it will be on the main stage in Trinity VI. Be sure to get there early, space is limited. I'm looking forward to seeing all the g1s at the event. I'm still waiting to hear from Craig, but I imagine I will be around the convention on Friday and Saturday before the debate.

The Thompson - Methenitis Debate

It's official. I will be debating Jack Thompson in Dallas, TX on July 4, 2009. The ScrewAttack Gaming Convention (July 3-5) has politely agreed to play host to the event, which was announced this morning. So, start making your plans to join us in Dallas for what is already being billed as "The Debate of the Century," not to mention participate in the rest of SGC, which has some other great guests lined up. The video announcement can be seen below.

Speaking at Game::Business::Law Conference

There has been a slight change in the speaker line up for the Game::Business::Law Conference within the past 24 hours or so. I will now be participating in Panel V on Thursday, January 15, at 1:15 pm.

Anyone in the Dallas area should consider attending, and registration is still available online for the bargain rate of $200 for the general public and $75 for students.

Please feel free to come say hello if you are in attendance at the conference.

Game::Business::Law Conference - January 14-15, 2009

In about a month, the SMU Deadman School of Law and the SMU Guildhall will be putting on a conference here in Dallas, TX, titled Game::Bueinsss::Law. As I've recently been added to the conference's planning committee, I wanted to take an opportunity to bring the event to the attention of my readers and invite you all to register and attend. While I will not personally be speaking at this event, I will be in attendance. A number of good speakers have been lined up for the event, including:
Gamestop's Cheif Marketing Officer, Mike Hogan;
Valve's Director of Business Development / Legal Affairs, Jason Holtman;
The ESA's General Counsel, Ken Doroshow;
Microsoft's General Manager, Platform Services, Microsoft Advertising, JJ Richards;
The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences President, Joseph Olin;
and Richard Garriott, who really needs no introduction.

The conference is a downright bargain compared to many events these days, at a mere $200 for registration for professionals and $75 for students. Provided this year's conference is a success, we already have plans for an exceptional second conference program.

I really hope many of you will take the opportunity to attend. For anyone who does choose to attend, make sure to come by and say hi. I always like hearing from Law of the Game's readers.

Reminder: ALA TechSource Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium

Reminder: I will be speaking at the ALA TechSource Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium, which is November 2-4, 2008, in Oak Brook, IL. My session is titled "What Every Librarian Needs to Know about Video Games and the Law" and is presently set for Nov. 4 at 10 am in the Managing Gaming track.

If you happen to be an ALA member attending this event, be sure to come by and say hi.

ALA TechSource Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium

I just wanted to let everyone know that I will be speaking at the ALA TechSource Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium, which is November 2-4, 2008, in Oak Brook, IL. My session is titled "What Every Librarian Needs to Know about Video Games and the Law" and is presently set for Nov. 4 at 10 am in the Managing Gaming track.

If you happen to be an ALA member attending this event, be sure to come by and say hi.

Austin Game Developers Conference People's Choice Voting

I'm sure many of you know that the Austin GDC is coming up this September. What you may not know is that they have opened up the selection process for presentations to a vote. What you may also not know is that I have two presentations in the running. Both are lectures in the Online Games - Business and Management topics.


Emerging Legal Concerns for Online Games: What Every Manager Needs to Know
Speaker/s: Mark Methenitis
Track / Format: Online Games - Business & Management / Lecture
Overview: This presentation provides an overview of legal issues primarily facing MMO developers by looking at both the existing legal approaches and theoretical alternatives. These issues often apply to other online developers as well, especially those exploring new game and business models. Topics will include: Intellectual Property Ownership and Licensing, Interplay Between Real and Virtual Currency, and Online Gambling and the new Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.

Legal Issues In International Game Publication
Speaker/s: Mark Methenitis
Track / Format: Online Games - Business & Management / Lecture
Overview: As a result of the Internet age, virtually every game released in the United States is released internationally to some degree. This presentation addresses the issues that face developers in releasing games in multiple countries. Topics of discussion include: International Intellectual Property Rights, International Taxation and Tax Treaties, International Media Regulation, International Trade and Emerging Issues in International Law.


So, if these topics sound interesting to you, or you would like to see me lecture at the Austin GDC in September, please go vote. And while you're there, check out some of the other presentations up for voting, especially if you plan to attend the conference.

Reminder - Upcoming Event - Dallas IGDA Legal Roundtable

Just a reminder to anyone who may be an International Game Developers Association member in the Dallas area, I will be participating in a legal panel on Wednesday, June 6, 2007.

The panelist biographies are available here.

The event details are available here and reposted below:

Video Games Law Panel
WHEN: Wednesday, June 6 @ 7:00PM
WHERE: HUNTON & WILLIAMS LLP - FOUNTAIN PLACE BUILDING
WHAT: Video game lawyers give insight and answer questions. Free beer!


If you read Law of the Game, please come up and let me know. I am always interested to hear what readers have to say about the site.

Upcoming Event - Dallas IGDA Legal Roundtable

For anyone who may be an International Game Developers Association member in the Dallas area, I will be participating in a legal panel on June 6, 2007.

The panelist biographies are available here.

The event details are available here and reposted below:

Video Games Law Panel
WHEN: Wednesday, June 6 @ 7:00PM
WHERE: HUNTON & WILLIAMS LLP - FOUNTAIN PLACE BUILDING
WHAT: Video game lawyers give insight and answer questions. Free beer!


If you read Law of the Game, please come up and let me know. I am always interested to hear what readers have to say about the site.


As a side note, I would like to remind everyone that I am always open to requests for topics. Just send me an e-mail from my profile page.