Video Games & Interactive Entertainment

The games and interactive entertainment sector is one of the fastest-growing in the UK. Our experts can help your business with a full range of legal services geared specifically to the unique needs of this dynamic industry.

Our specialist team advise people and businesses from across the video games industry from AAA studios to indie developers. We also work with VR and AR businesses and professionals in the interactive entertainment sector.

We have an in-depth knowledge of the video games sector with a strong reputation for providing high quality legal advice in plain English. We’re part of the wider Media and Entertainment team. This means you can also get advice on games development and publishing including, music licensing, talent agreements, advertising and marketing of games and engaging influencers.

We can advise you on:

  • Games Development Agreements – including Software development agreements, Publishing Agreements and Outsourcing Agreements
  • Intellectual property (IP) – IP licensing agreements and copyright issues, advising on trade mark protection for titles, and resolving IP disputes
  • Immigration – helping you source the talent you need with advice on visas, sponsor licenses, and complying with immigration rules
  • Employment – get the right contracts, policies and procedures in place to manage freelancers, overtime, flexible working
  • Corporate – corporate structures, investments, enterprise investment scheme funds (EIS) and seed enterprise investment scheme (SEIS), financing including using UK video games tax relief and mergers and acquisitions.
  • Data Protection – data protection, GDPR and privacy matters and drafting terms and conditions and privacy policies.

There are few law firms that can offer such a full range of legal services alongside specialist games industry advice. But we can help with whatever issues you face, whether you’re a new start-up or an established business.

We’re members of leading industry bodies including The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment (UKIE) and Game Republic, the largest games industry network in the North of England.

As a member of First Law International, we can help you find trusted advisers across the world as well.

Our solicitors will take the time to get to know you and your business, and not just on a legal level. We’ll make sure we understand your long-term ambitions so all our advice has your commercial goals at heart. You’ll get more than problem solvers, but strategic advisers as well.

Contact Us

Our expert interactive entertainment lawyers provide a full range of services tailored to the needs of your business in this unique sector. Give our team a call on 0808 291 4133 or get in touch online.

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Free legal advice for video game companies

Irwin Mitchell is helping video game companies to navigate the coronavirus crisis by providing free legal advice to members of UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie).


Find out more about how you can get help

Case Study - advising on publishing deal for video game 'The Persistence'

Our media and entertainment team advised Firesprite, a leading independent games developer, on a major publishing deal. The deal involved Firesprite’s critically acclaimed video game called The Persistance.

The game has only been available on the PlayStation®VR platform, so only players with this platform could play the sci-fi horror game.

Our media and entertainment team, led by Laura Harper, worked closely with Firesprite to negotiate a publishing deal with other platforms so more players can access the game.

The deal involved protecting Firesprite’s intellectual property (IP) and advising on trademark protection if the game is published by other platforms.

Laura and her team helped Firesprite negotiate a publishing deal with Perp Games. The successful deal means that The Persistence will be published on PlayStation®4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch formats.

Laura Harper has a long relationship with Firesprite and advises on many aspects of their business. This includes helping them with a major licensing and worldwide distribution deal with Sony. This deal led to the launch of The Persistence on PlayStation®VR platform in 2018.



We’re excited and very much looking forward to bringing this game and the universe we have created to new platforms for players.”

Graeme Ankers, MD and Co-founder at Firesprite.

The Persistence has been a hugely successful title for Firesprite and this deal, which follows on from the licensing deal two years ago for the PSVR platform, will open it up to an even larger group of gamers."

Laura Harper, partner

Awards & Accreditation

We’re proud of the recognition we’ve received for our business legal work. For a list of awards and accreditations, please visit our awards page.

Legal 500 UK Leading Firm 2022
Chambers & Partners UK Top Ranked Firm 2022

Latest News

Our lawyers are regularly asked to provide expert insight, advice and analysis for the national media. Take a look at the stories below to see what we’re saying, as well as some of the recent deals we have completed for our clients.

Find one of our solicitors near you

We have offices in major cities throughout the UK and our lawyers can arrange to visit you or your business in person if necessary. We also have international capability, with global links to other legal specialists.