In Counts II – V of the FTC’s complaint against HoYoverse and Genshin Impact, the FTC alleges that HoYoverse engaged in deceptive and unfair practices surrounding the actual cost and odds of its loot boxes and how those loot boxes are marketed. Importantly, this is the first complaint by the FTC against loot box mechanics …
As mentioned in Part I of the this three part blog post on the FTC’s complaint against HoYoverse and Genshin Impact, COPPA applies to sites and services that are either directed toward children under the age of 13 or have actual knowledge that children 13 are providing information online. In Count I of the complaint, …
On January 17, 2025, the Department of Justice filed a complaint upon referral from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against Singapore-based Cognosphere Pte. Ltd and its Californian subsidiary Cognosphere LLC, which collectively does business under the name “HoYoverse”. The complaint consists of five counts split into essentially two major prongs against HoYoverse and their game, …
The past couple of years have been a rollercoaster for the games industry, with significant layoffs and economic challenges dampening spirits. However, 2025 brings a sense of optimism. Many have managed to “survive to 25.” The industry is poised for recovery, with growth opportunities across emerging markets, cultural shifts, and technological advancements. Political uncertainty may …
The Games Industry in 2025: Our Optimistic Perspective Read More »
In just a few days, on October 1, 2024, Maryland’s new Kid’s Code (also known as the Maryland Age-Appropriate Design Act) will go into effect. What is the Maryland Kid’s Code? The Maryland Kid’s Code, signed into law this past May, draws inspiration from the UK and California Age Appropriate Design Codes and aims to …
Maryland’s Kid’s Code: Preparing for the October 1, 2024 Deadline Read More »
Firm challenges US Patent and Trademark Office’s privacy-compromising requirement for domicile addresses FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Raleigh, NC – 16 July 2024 –Odin Law and Media (OLM), a leading firm specializing in digital media and game development law, is proud to announce its representation of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and CodeMiko in filing an amicus brief …
Indie developers frequently outsource portions of game development to independent contributors (i.e., contractors). But depending on what agreements, if any, the primary devs have in place with any contracted contributors, the primary devs might not own their game outright. Even so, when devs start making a game, one of the last things they think about …
Video Game Developers and Work For Hire Agreements Read More »
When working on a game development or software project, understanding open source licenses is crucial. These licenses dictate how developers can use, modify, and distribute open source software. In this blog post, we’ll break down the essentials of open source licenses, focusing on the differences between permissive and copyleft licenses, and how they impact the …
Understanding Open Source Licenses: A Guide for Game Developers Read More »
One of the wonderful things about Roblox is that anyone can develop and publish a game. But when some Roblox devs start making a game, the last thing they think about is contracts. That can be a problem, especially if the game blows up. Why? Because depending on what agreements, if any, the primary devs …
We’re now in the year 2024 after a very tumultuous previous year. The games industry lost nearly 10,500 jobs in 2023 and roughly 8,500 in 2022, according to some estimates. We were a little too correct when we commented last year that the world continues to be a relatively unpredictable place. Here are our thoughts …