MORI & PARTNERSeスポーツ・ゲーミング法務専門サイト

Empowering E-gaming Companies

Supporting Your Growth and Overcoming
Challenges as Professionals in Gaming Law

The gaming industry is one of the fastest-growing industries globally, gaining widespread attention in recent years. In Japan, various businesses related to gaming and eSports, such as event organization and online streaming, are being developed rapidly.

To conduct gaming-related businesses smoothly and securely, it is essential to proactively minimize and mitigate potential legal risks. For instance, gaming and eSports event organizers must design and operate their tournaments in compliance with relevant regulations, such as the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, the Entertainment Business Act, and the Penal Code (particularly regarding gambling offenses). Additionally, professional players and their teams must enter into management agreements (player contracts) to prevent future disputes by clearly defining the scope of player duties, distribution of rewards and prize money, rights to likeness and publicity, non-compete and transfer restrictions, and ownership of in-game accounts. Furthermore, when game developers distribute games with in-app purchases, they may be required to file a notification under the Payment Services Act (which applies to overseas companies distributing games targeted at Japanese consumers as well).

Our attorneys at Mori & Partners have been providing legal advice on various issues surrounding gaming and esports to stakeholders in the industry, including international game developers, professional players, and YouTubers in Japan, since the early days of the Japanese eSports industry.

As professionals in gaming law, Mori & Partners is here to support your growth and help you navigate challenges in this rapidly evolving field.

Gaming Laws in Japan

Practices

M&A Our firm offers comprehensive legal support for M&A transactions within the gaming industry. This includes conducting due diligence, structuring deals, and preparing and reviewing agreements to ensure compliance with both domestic and international regulations. We provide strategic advice tailored to the unique characteristics of this dynamic industry, covering legal aspects such as intellectual property rights and regulatory compliance, to facilitate smooth and successful acquisitions and partnerships. Read more Gaming Transactions / Contracts The gaming field is rapidly evolving, with frequent amendments to relevant laws and constantly shifting industry practices. At our firm, we stay up-to-date with the latest legal developments and industry trends, enabling us to provide services tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients. Read more Registration and Reporting Services for Prepaid Payment Instruments If in-game currency or items used in online games qualify as “prepaid payment instruments” under the Payment Services Act, the business must comply with the relevant regulations. Our firm provides comprehensive legal guidance to ensure full compliance with these regulatory requirements. Read more Legality of Prize Money in Gaming Tournaments Prize money awarded to top performers in eSports tournaments may fall under the definition of “premiums” under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations. In such case, the restrictions on the maximum value and total amount of such premiums may apply. Our firm provides tailored legal advice to ensure full compliance with these regulations. Read more Intellectual Property Strategy Our firm provides legal advice to minimize copyright infringement risks in gaming tournaments and offers support in drafting and reviewing license agreements for use permissions, as well as negotiating with rights holders. Additionally, we handle the preparation and negotiation of trademark license agreements necessary for hosting eSports events, along with providing comprehensive guidance on trademark-related matters. Read more Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Data Protection Our firm provides strategic legal support on a range of privacy, cybersecurity, and data protection matters relevant to the gaming industry. This includes advising on compliance with domestic and international data protection regulations such as Japan’s Act on the Protection of Personal Information. We assist clients in developing and implementing data management strategies, drafting privacy policies, and responding to data breaches, ensuring that all operations are conducted in accordance with the latest standards to minimize legal risks and protect sensitive information. Read more Gaming Laws & Regulations Our firm provides legal guidance on compliance with relevant laws and regulations when hosting gaming events or establishing and operating eSports training facilities, eSports cafés, and similar venues. This includes advising on criminal law considerations (such as gambling-related offenses under the Penal Code) and ensuring compliance with the Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Businesses. Read more

Practices

About Us

Trusted Legal Counsel for International e-Gaming Companies

Gaming and eSports have emerged as a new era of entertainment where people from diverse backgrounds can come together and enjoy competitive play. Its unique nature—unrestricted by physical ability, age, gender, or geographical boundaries—allows anyone to participate from virtually anywhere, a quality that is further highlighted by the increasing prevalence of online tournaments. At our firm, we believe that the rapid growth and popularity of gaming and eSports, like traditional sports such as baseball and soccer, have the potential to significantly contribute to revitalizing local economies. This underscores gaming and eSports’ capacity to influence not only major urban areas but also regional communities on a broader economic scale. Through our support of the gaming industry, we aim to make a positive social impact.

For over 15 years, our attorneys at Mori & Partners have been providing legal guidance primarily to international game developers, gaming platformers, professional players, and other stakeholders in the gaming and eSports industry. As the industry has grown rapidly and the market has expanded, the range of legal issues has become increasingly complex and specialized. Our team has addressed a wide variety of legal challenges, including mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property strategy, and gaming contracts, in addition to compliance with various laws such as the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, the Payment Services Act, the Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Businesses, and the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions. Leveraging the expertise and insights we have gained through this experience, we are well-equipped to support the global gaming industry from a legal perspective.

We are committed to addressing the diverse needs of gaming businesses by providing timely and effective solutions, backed by up-to-date information and specialized knowledge. Moving forward, we will continue to offer high-quality legal services to e-gaming companies striving for growth and innovation, delivering maximum value through our dedication and expertise.

Mori & Partners

Roppongi Hills North Tower 16F
6-2-31 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Tokyo 106-0032 Japan
T +813-6831-9281　F +813-6800-5542

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