The proliferation of video games and the development of the video game industry have seen competitive gaming as a form of spectator sport. eSports is experiencing rapid growth, despite still being in its relatively formative stages. At the current growth rate, by 2024, there are expected to be over 285 million frequent viewers of eSports worldwide, as well as some 291.6 million occasional viewers. In terms of revenue, the industry is expected to generate more than US$1.6 billion by 2024.  With so much attention and market share at stake, there are bound to be commercial and legal conflicts, especially when intellectual property (IP) is very much at the core of the video game and esports industry.

So, what do industry players need to know to ensure compliance and smooth operations and protect their brand identities, to navigate IP in esports?

Benjamin Cheong, Deputy Head of Technology, Media and Telecommunications of national law firm Rajah & Tann, tells us more.