Legal Battle
Did the European court just give cheats a thumbs-up?
Futura’s head of digital practice Alina Davletshina shares on the impact of Sony’s case against Datel
Tiktok Ban
US court rejects TikTok's bid to halt pending ban
ByteDance must divest TikTok by January 19th, 2025 or face a ban
What Is Happening?
What is Microsoft doing on mobile?
Xbox's messy mobile plans stumble again
Still Waiting
Microsoft delays Xbox Android store after US court temporarily pauses Google Play remedies
Tech giant claims mobile store is "ready to go"
Barcelona Battle
Unions reportedly file lawsuit against Ubisoft’s return-to-office mandate, backing Barcelona studios
The unions are working in association with Spanish trade body Confederación General del Trabajo
Potential Bribary
Nine NetEase Games employees allegedly arrested for money laundering and bribery
General manager Xiang Lang is among those reportedly under investigation
Week That Was
Pokémon TCG Pocket’s big launch, Rainbow Six Mobile is back and is technology in a downward spiral? | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Dma Dominance
Report: EU readies Digital Markets Act’s first-ever fine against Apple
There may be periodic penalties for noncompliance, according to people familiar with the matter
The Battle Endures
Google accuses Microsoft of wanting to "free-ride" on Play Store’s success amid Epic Games legal battle
Microsoft came out in support of Epic Games last week - now Google has responded
Podcast | Episode 35
Facebook Instant Games is back! And Games First 2024 takeaways | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and and what's inside this week's episode 35...
Legal Battle
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company vs. Pocket Pair: Understanding the details
Futura Digital’s Alexandra Kurdyumova and Evgenia Shikholeva explain why Nintendo is filing a patent rights lawsuit over a copyright infringement
Legal Advice
Telegram Mini Apps: What’s inside?
Futura Digital’s Alexandra Kurdyumova and Christina Sirozh share on what Telegram Mini Apps are and how to be compliant with its rules and regulations
Loot Box Laws
EA victorious after Austrian court rules that FIFA 23 loot boxes are not gambling
The court said that the player did not acquire FIFA Ultimate Team packs with the intent to profit
Cook Curses Commission
Donald Trump claims Apple CEO Tim Cook complained to him about multi-billion dollar EU fines
The former US president shared his conversation with Cook on the PBD podcast
Legal Proceedings
Google wins temporary reprieve in legal showdown with Epic Games
Epic says Google is using “fearmongering" and “unsubstantiated security threats" to maintain control over Android devices
Ruling Regulation
Epic beats Google: Play Store must allow third-party app store distribution in US
Starting November 1st, 2024, Google must allow distribution of rival stores from its own
They Only Hurt
Tim Sweeney: "I have no regrets" over Epic Games' costly legal battles with Apple and Google
Epic Games CEO told PocketGamer.biz the costs had been "really significant"
Auto Blocker
Epic files lawsuit against Google and Samsung over “anti-competitive” app Auto Blocker
"This goes against everything we've been fighting for in Epic vs. Apple and Epic vs. Google," says CEO Tim Sweeney
Pokemon Vs Palworld
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company file lawsuit against Palworld eight months later
Audiences quickly compared Palworld to Pokémon in character designs and certain game mechanics
Strict Laws
Australia sets new rules for games with loot boxes and gambling-like content
Games with interactive simulated gambling will automatically receive an R18+ rating
Lawsuit Triumph
The Pokémon Company wins $15 million in lawsuit over copyright infringement
Pocket Monster Reissue had infringed company's copyright by using Ash Ketchum and Pikachu in the game
Copyright Case
IBM awarded $44.9 million in patent infringement lawsuit against Zynga
Patents have now expired and no changes to the publisher's titles will be required
Attack Of The Clones
Clones and how to combat them: Examples from the games industry
Futura Digital delves into the world of clones and what legal action developers can take
Privacy Protection
IGDA argues to Supreme Court that trademark address requirements open up devs to potential harassment
Laws around trademark applicants require registrants to provide their home address
Legal Advice
Tax benefits for IT and games developers
Futura Digital co-founder Alexandra Kurdyumova and associate Roman Motorin delve into tax relief options for developers
Pgc Helsinki
Isabel Davies: EU’s Digital Fitness Fairness Check could cause "big overhauls" in 2025
The regulation of free-to-play is a complex topic due to its ever-changing nature, but next year’s check could really change the game…
Battle Over Bots
Skillz files lawsuit against rivals Voodoo over alleged "straight-out lies", bots, and rigged tournaments
Their latest suit claims Voodoo has falsely advertised Blitz - Win Cash and harmed Skillz market share
Gambling Crackdown
Northern Ireland’s APG wants "stringent, legally mandated regulations" imposed on loot boxes
The group has called for gambling mechanics in games to be "severely limited" now that the results of a public health inquiry are in
Legal Advice
Epic's Fortnite fine: The precedent and potential consequences of in-game purchases in the Netherlands
Epic Games were hit with a €1m+ bill for "deceiving children", but what can devs and publishers do to avoid being hit with similar legal action?
Platform Party
Eggy Party to expand onto console with crossplay Nintendo Switch release
NetEase’s hit party game is releasing on Nintendo Switch on July 19th
Legal Advice
How to stay legal, safe and secure in the wild west of web3
From the ownership of digital goods to user data and privacy, the world of web3 is filled with new legal precedents and pitfalls. Here's our guide to keeping your business and your users safe
Legal Upset
Apple on track to fall foul of DMA legislation with a potential penalty of $50M per day
Leaks suggest that Apple has failed to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, costing the firm 5% of its daily global revenue
Legislation Looming
Fortnite and The Epic Games Store will be arriving on iOS in Japan in 2025
The Epic Games Store will be available as an alternative to Apple’s App Store in Japan next year, based on new legislation
Latest Lawsuit
Google hit by £13.6 billion lawsuit over alleged "self-preferencing" and anticompetitive behaviour
Ad Tech Collective Action LLP is taking Google to court, though a date has yet to be set
Legal Advice
DMCA vs user-generated content: The case of Nintendo vs Garry's Mod
When your users can create anything they want in your game world, having rock-solid Terms of Use becomes a vital necessity
Lessons In Law
DMCA know-how: How to protect your rights and assets in 2024
Over 25 years after the introduction of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act it's still working to protect rights and ownership. Here's how to wield its power
Futura Focus
Rising star: Why game developers are turning their attention to the UAE
Futura Digital dives into the business and legal aspects of setting up a business in the UAE
Tiktok Troubles
TikTok files appeal over "unconstitutional" US divest-or-ban law
TikTok claims it cannot separate from ByteDance and any concerns could be addressed less restrictively
Dma Demands
EU ruling gives Apple six months to bring iPadOS into line with DMA demands
Apple’s iPadOS will be held to the same standards as the iPhone operating system after qualitative investigation
Epic Battle
Apple fights back and denies violating US court order on alternative payments
Tech giant claims new rules were implemented "in good faith"
Taking A Bite
US files lawsuit against Apple’s "monopoly power to extract more money from consumers"
It's happened… Apple is accused of driving up prices, withholding information from developers and more
Microsoft Mucks Up
FTC cries foul at Microsoft’s 1,900 layoffs with Activision Blizzard merger under threat
Microsoft counter claim that Activision Blizzard were already planning layoffs before taking them on
Indonesia's Intentions
Publishing in Indonesia? New laws could require you to set up a company there
The Indonesian government is looking to update its legal requirements for game publishers in order to avoid being "just a spectator"
Ip Investigation
The Pokémon Company will "investigate" IP infringement after questions raised around Palworld
Palworld's monster designs are being compared with Pokémon's as questions around IP and copyright swirl
Successful Defence
Homa wins Craft Island court case against Voodoo, ending almost three years of uncertainty
Voodoo had accused Homa of "maintaining confusion" through similarities between Homa's Craft Island and their own Lumbercraft
Epic Response
Epic Games blasts Google's settlement with US states as "no true relief for consumers or developers"
Epic Games has released a settlement following the reveal of Google’s $700 million settlement
Google Grumbles
Google agrees to pay $700 million and change app store rules after antitrust settlement
The results of Google’s loss against 50 US attorneys general are finally revealed
Legal News
Activision Blizzard to pay $55 million in gender discrimination settlement
Agreement puts end to lawsuit filed by the Department of Fair Employment and Houses in 2021
Sweeney's Success
"The end of these ridiculous 30% fees is near." Tim Sweeney crows victory in Epic Vs Google battle
Epic Games’ Tim Sweeney has been taking to social media and more to celebrate his win over Google
Lawsuit Landing
AviaGames accused of using bots to win its own cash prizes
A lawsuit from Big Run Studios and Skillz alleges that AviaGames Bingo Clash not only copied their Blackout Bingo but use bots to deprive winners