Finally, it looks like the issue surrounding broadcasting rights of Starcraft II tournaments will be at an end. KeSPA, the ruling competitive sports gaming body, OGN, and GOMtv have officially received licenses from Blizzard to broadcast Starcraft II tournaments and will work in conjunction with each other in uniting players and leagues.
KeSPA, OGN, and GOMtv
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Virtual Goods in a Broken Marriage
In China, a judge has ruled that the virtual assets shared between a recently divorced couple shall remain with the former husband. Before marriage the man and woman had two separate accounts and merged them with only the husband's name listed. While together, they accumulated quite a large number of virtual goods under the merged account.
What implications does this case have? Although to most nowadays the notion that virtual assets could be valuable is surprising, the rising market and growth of virtual goods cannot be denied. For example, the rising use of facebook credits. Perhaps lawyers in family law would be wise to advise couples of the effect of community property laws on virual assets.
You Can't Take It With You
What implications does this case have? Although to most nowadays the notion that virtual assets could be valuable is surprising, the rising market and growth of virtual goods cannot be denied. For example, the rising use of facebook credits. Perhaps lawyers in family law would be wise to advise couples of the effect of community property laws on virual assets.
You Can't Take It With You
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Japan: No Rent Policy
In Japan, you cannot rent video games or systems. Of course, there are stores that notoriously allow you to rent CDs and make copies but that's a different story. Japanese law goes so far as to even prosecute stores that implement quick buy back policies for games offering consumer 80-90% of the purchase price back after a week or so of use.
While renting systems in the U.S. has apparently gone the way of the dinosaurs, there is a healthy appetite for game rentals considering the rising prices of games and the increasing number of sub-par content. How does this differing dynamic in Japan affect consumer habits there? Does it make the Japanese consumer that much more of a discerning consumer before taking the plunge? Does this sort of policy advance the market for games or impede it?
Japanese Stores, Buyback
While renting systems in the U.S. has apparently gone the way of the dinosaurs, there is a healthy appetite for game rentals considering the rising prices of games and the increasing number of sub-par content. How does this differing dynamic in Japan affect consumer habits there? Does it make the Japanese consumer that much more of a discerning consumer before taking the plunge? Does this sort of policy advance the market for games or impede it?
Japanese Stores, Buyback
Monday, December 6, 2010
Korea cable channels MBC Game and OnGameNet Broadcast Starcraft Tournaments Without Permission
Blizzard allowed the two channels to broadcast Korea e-Sports Players Association (KeSPA) tournaments until August, but the channels have continued to broadcast tournaments into the fall season.
The channels argue that they should be able to broadcast Starcraft tournaments because the games used in the professional tournaments are in the public domain while Blizzard argues that its intellectual property is being violated. The channels argue that to require them to obtain the appropriate permission to broadcast the tournaments would equate to requiring soccer players to pay to use Adidas balls.
In terms of protecting its intellectual property Blizzard seems to have a firm foundation. Each successive broadcast displays a multitude of Starcraft copyrighted material. The channels' argument equating Starcraft as a mere tool in comparison to people kicking around a soccer ball with the Adidas trademark seems misplaced. Although the sports comparison is interesting, there is usually no IP issue when a channel broadcasts a soccer game using an Adidas soccer ball, unless the broadcasters were to say malign the Adidas trademark.
Starcraft Tournament Broadcast
The channels argue that they should be able to broadcast Starcraft tournaments because the games used in the professional tournaments are in the public domain while Blizzard argues that its intellectual property is being violated. The channels argue that to require them to obtain the appropriate permission to broadcast the tournaments would equate to requiring soccer players to pay to use Adidas balls.
In terms of protecting its intellectual property Blizzard seems to have a firm foundation. Each successive broadcast displays a multitude of Starcraft copyrighted material. The channels' argument equating Starcraft as a mere tool in comparison to people kicking around a soccer ball with the Adidas trademark seems misplaced. Although the sports comparison is interesting, there is usually no IP issue when a channel broadcasts a soccer game using an Adidas soccer ball, unless the broadcasters were to say malign the Adidas trademark.
Starcraft Tournament Broadcast
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
China Prohibits "Vulgar" Online Game Ads
The Chinese government has prohibited online gaming companies from promoting their products through the use of "vulgar" online game ads. The order came through after several Chinese gaming companies used scantily clad models to promote products.
However, what goes against China's moral fiber and is deemed vulgar seems ultimately vague and hard to decipher. It will be interesting to see how the government enforces this law and if it will provide clarity in the future.
Prohibition of Vulgar Ads
However, what goes against China's moral fiber and is deemed vulgar seems ultimately vague and hard to decipher. It will be interesting to see how the government enforces this law and if it will provide clarity in the future.
Prohibition of Vulgar Ads
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Lenovo's New System
As the fourth largest personal computer maker in the world, Lenovo has plans to roll out its own entertainment console, the Ebox, and stake its claim in millions of Chinese households. The Ebox operates on a motion control system akin to Microsoft Xbox 360's "Kinect" and Sony PS3's "Move." Lenovo plans to release the system in China at the end of 2010.
In its efforts to diversify business, the company touts its ability to better understand the Chinese consumer by packing the console (which looks strikingly similar to Nintendo's Wii console) with 30 games rather than the usual standard of having the console exist separately from game software and without any pre-packaged add-ons. Whether Lenovo's gutsy foray into the industry with its own system will be a success will depend on its ability to withstand China's difficult regulations and rampant piracy.
The Ebox
In its efforts to diversify business, the company touts its ability to better understand the Chinese consumer by packing the console (which looks strikingly similar to Nintendo's Wii console) with 30 games rather than the usual standard of having the console exist separately from game software and without any pre-packaged add-ons. Whether Lenovo's gutsy foray into the industry with its own system will be a success will depend on its ability to withstand China's difficult regulations and rampant piracy.
The Ebox
Saturday, September 4, 2010
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