Media Release: Game Legal joins IGEA as an Associate Member, delivering legal services

Media Release

Friday 24 January 2020

Game Legal joins IGEA as an Associate Member, delivering legal services to the Australian games industry.

Game Legal has partnered with Australia’s independent industry association representing the business and public policy interests of Australian companies in the computer and video game industry, the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA), to offer a complimentary initial legal consultations as well as ongoing discounts exclusive to IGEA members.

IGEA members will also get access to a complimentary contract starter kit; the kit includes a range of pro-forma contracts and info sheets including, but not limited to, NDA, services agreement, independent contractor agreement, employment contract for F/T staff member, data collection policy, tools licence agreement, and a founder’s agreement.

This starter pack will be very useful for new businesses at the start of their journey into the games industry and for more established developers looking to broaden their businesses, tapping into what is a US$153 billion global industry.

Demonstrating further support of the local vibrant and strong digital games development and publishing industry, Game Legal has joined IGEA as an Associate Member.

Ron Curry, IGEA’s CEO said, “Our first priority which underpins everything we do as an industry association is to deliver value for our members.  By working with targeted companies within the ANZ games ecosystem, we formalise our working relationships and develop partnerships to provide tangible services that are of benefit to our members.  This supports our vision to responsibly and professionally contribute to the growth of the Australian and New Zealand video games industry. To this end, we are very pleased to welcome Game Legal as both a valued service partner as well as an Associate Member.”

Jens Schroeder, IGEA’s Industry Development Manager, added, “It is fantastic to see IGEA’s commitment to Australian game developers. We’ve listened and now we aim to deliver more services that meet tangible needs and offer real benefits. The contract starter kit alone will result in considerable savings for studios and make their lives much easier. Being able to contribute to the growth of the Australian industry is very exciting and IGEA is here to support the local industry to ensure it can reach its potential”.

Game Legal principal lawyer, Mat Jessep said, "I've known the team at the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA) for a number of years now and have always been impressed by their professionalism and dedication to the Australian computer and video game industry and their Membership. I'm delighted that my new sports and entertainment legal business, Game Legal, is now a part of IGEA's expanded Member service delivery offering for 2020 and beyond, as well as becoming a proud Associate Member.

"I look forward to assisting and advising IGEA Members, who are all part of a vibrant and strong digital games development and publishing industry of 1,275 creative and skilled full-time equivalent employees collectively contributing over $143 million to Australia's economy in 2017/18. Globally, the games market generates more than US$153 billion and, with the leadership, advocacy, and support of the IGEA, Australian game developers are well positioned to continue to expand and grow. 

"I'm excited to offer the services of Game Legal to IGEA's Members and further support their professional and commercial growth and development."

- ENDS -

For further information or interviews please contact:

Mat Jessep

Game Legal | Game Consulting

Phone: +61 409 766 155

Email: mat@wegotgame.com.au

About Game Legal | Game Consulting:

Game Legal offers comprehensive legal advice and counsel to organisations and investors in Sports, Esports and Pop Culture - Gaming, Media, Tech, Internet, Brands & IP, Entertainment, TV, Music, Film, Art, & Fashion - as well as to Businesses and for new Start-Ups.

Beyond the legal advice, and no matter what field you play in, Game Consulting helps you to get into and stay in the game with research, insights, strategy, planning, and execution of your commercial and governance programs.

About Mat Jessep:

Mat Jessep is a commercial and corporate lawyer and business consultant with specialist skills and experience in Sports, Esports, Media, and Entertainment, acting for clients in Australia, North America, the UK, and Europe.

As a dedicated Sports lawyer, Mat has acted for National Sporting Organisations, State Sporting Organisations, sponsors, broadcasters, and leagues and event operators. Mat is a pioneer and leading lawyer and consultant in the fast-growing esports sector, acting for clients with interests in leagues and teams in Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia. In the media and entertainment industries, Mat has advised film producers, artists, authors, creatives, podcasters, streamers, and tech start-ups.

Mat is admitted in the Supreme Court of NSW and is on the roll of the High Court of Australia. He is also an active member of the US-based Sports Lawyers Association (SLA) and teaches as a Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne Law School and as a casual academic at the University of Technology Sydney in the Law Faculty and Business School.

To find out more, go to www.wegotgame.com.au

About IGEA

IGEA is an industry association representing the business and public policy interests of Australian and New Zealand companies in the computer and video games industry. IGEA’s members publish, develop, market and/or distribute interactive games and entertainment content and related hardware including mobile and handheld games. For more information, please visit www.igea.net