About the Sector

Ireland continues to be recognised as a world-leading hub for the Gaming and Entertainment sector. Atari was one of the first gaming companies to set up in Ireland when it opened a plant in Tipperary in 1978 and since then many of the biggest names in the gaming industry have established bases in Ireland and the industry continues to grow.

Ireland is particularly attractive for Gaming Tech as it has one of the best statutory frameworks for the protection of IP in the world, with robust, modern and sophisticated legislation underpinning Irish law. Under Irish law, copyright protection is automatic and does not require the registration of the copyrighted material. Irish patent protection can be obtained for 10 or 20 year periods. Irish trademark protection provides for domestic, EU and International patent registrations, and once granted patent protection lasts for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely. Designs having new and individual character can be registered and protected for up to 25 years.

Ireland’s specialist Commercial Court, which deals only with major commercial cases, has gained an enviable reputation for the speed and effectiveness with which it hears and deals with IP infringement cases. Recent statistics demonstrate that most IP cases are dealt with within one year.

Our Services

As one of Ireland’s most innovative law firms, the legal issues surrounding Gaming and Entertainment Technology is at the heart of what we do. Our lawyers are recognised industry experts and act for a number of gaming companies located in Ireland, and for the entrepreneurs which invest in them. We regularly advise on corporate & IP matters such as:

  • Establishment in Ireland
  • Website creation and terms & conditions
  • IP registration, licensing, development and exploitation
  • Enterprise Ireland and IDA agreements
  • Funding, investment and shareholder agreements and arrangements
  • Employment contracts and option schemes
  • Exits and trade sales;
  • Consumer terms and conditions
  • Service and privacy policies, and confidentiality arrangement
  • Reseller and franchise arrangements, agency, distribution and
    merchandising arrangements

Our Experience

Members of our team are proud to have acted for some of Ireland’s indigenous Gaming companies from start-up phase, through various rounds of angel/venture capital investment, on through private equity rounds, private placements, to worldwide recognition and success, IPO or trade sale. We have also acted for Multi-national Companies operating in or through Ireland, advising them on a range of IP/IT development and exploitation issues.

Our Clients

We act for the creators, owners, investors in, and users of, the gaming technology is continually evolving in Ireland.

Your Contacts

Dominic Conlon

Partner, Head of Corporate

TEL: +353 1 639 3000

DDI: +353 1 232 1075

Email: ireland@ogier.com

Edon Byrnes

Partner

 

TEL: +353 1 639 3000

Email: ireland@ogier.com