Esports law attorney
Law at the pace of professional gaming.
INFLUXIO, a law firm specializing in esports law operating in France and Belgium, offers unique expertise for players, teams, and businesses in the sector. Members of the FFJV, we provide personalized support to protect your rights and interests in esports.
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Alexandre Bigot-Joly
Partner
Music law, influence, media & communications. Lecturer at CELSA, ISCOM and ESP.
Raphaël Molina
Partner
Intellectual property, digital law & influencer law. Contributor to the 2023 influencer legislation.
Maria Berrada
Partner
Intellectual property, AI, Web3, GDPR & eSports. Legal counsel for the French Video Game Federation.
Our services
How we can help you.
Practical examples
Legal creation of a professional esports structure
An amateur team wanted to go professional. The appropriate legal structure was created, esports employment contracts drafted compliant with the law, and the first sponsorship contracts negotiated with gaming brands.
Dispute over an esports player transfer between two teams
A professional player was in conflict with their former team refusing to validate the transfer despite the contract ending. The abusive clause was demonstrated and the player's release obtained with back pay.
Client reviews
What our clients say about us.
“Great responsiveness from all team members, with solutions found quickly and efficiently.”
Christ C.
“We entrusted INFLUXIO with a complex case. Their technical expertise, strategic vision and the quality of their legal briefs were decisive.”
Mia-Line C.
Contact
Contact INFLUXIO.
Would you like to schedule a meeting or get a quote?
We respond within 24 hours.
Insights
Learn more about this area.
What is esports?
Esports, or electronic sports, refers to the competitive practice of video games.
Since the Digital Republic Act of 2016, the professional esports player is defined as 'any person whose paid activity is participation in video game competitions in a relationship of legal subordination with an association or company benefiting from approval by the minister responsible for digital.' Esports encompasses online or live game competitions, with professional players and teams competing in tournaments for prizes and rewards.
Our legal services in esports law.
Professional player support.
We offer comprehensive legal support for professional video game players, including contract negotiation with teams, sponsors, and publishers. We also handle image rights and influencer law issues specific to esport. We ensure your rights and compensation are properly protected.
Assistance for esports structures.
Esports structures such as teams and businesses need legal advice for contract management, taxation, and data protection. We help you structure and manage your activities in compliance with the legal framework.
Esports competition organization.
For esports competitions, our firm assists in drafting regulations, managing broadcasting rights, and negotiating with partners. We ensure your events comply with laws and are organized effectively and legally.
Why use a specialized esports attorney?
Esports-specific legal challenges.
Legal challenges in esports include contract drafting and negotiation, intellectual property rights management, income taxation, and data protection. Our firm helps you navigate these aspects.
Protection of esports players' rights.
Protecting esports players' rights includes managing their image, negotiating contractual conditions, and defense in case of disputes. Our attorneys ensure each player's rights are respected.
Legal risks for players and esports structures.
Players and esports structures may face various legal risks, including contract disputes, copyright disagreements, and taxation questions. Our specialized attorneys offer legal support to minimize these risks.
The French Regulatory Framework for Esports.
The Digital Republic Act (loi pour une République numérique) of October 7, 2016 laid the legal foundations for esports in France. Its Articles 101 and 102 introduced a specific framework for video game competitions and the status of professional players.
Decree No. 2017-871 of May 9, 2017 specified the conditions for ministerial approval that associations and companies organizing esports competitions must obtain. This approval, issued by the minister responsible for digital affairs, conditions the ability to employ professional players under a specific employment contract.
The National Gaming Authority (ANJ, Autorité nationale des jeux), which succeeded ARJEL in 2020, now oversees the question of esports betting. Video game competitions may be subject to sports betting, provided the conditions set by the amended Law of May 12, 2010 are met.
The FFJV (Fédération Française de Jeu Vidéo) also plays a structuring role in French esports governance, in collaboration with public authorities. The streaming of esports competitions raises specific legal questions at the intersection of audiovisual law, copyright law, and platform law.
Broadcasting rights for competitions belong in principle to the organizer (by application of the sui generis right of the event organizer, Article L.333-1 of the Sports Code, applicable by analogy).
Retransmission on platforms such as Twitch or YouTube involves negotiating broadcasting licenses, complying with platform terms and conditions, and managing intellectual property rights over the video games themselves.
The Professional Esports Player Contract.
The status of the professional esports player is governed by article 102 of Law No. 2016-1321 of 7 October 2016 for a Digital Republic and its implementing decrees (Decree No. 2017-871 and Decree No. 2017-872 of 9 May 2017). This regime is autonomous and distinct from the Sports Code.
It establishes a specific fixed-term contract with a minimum duration of twelve months, concluded with an association or company holding ministerial approval. This contract is renewable without limitation. The player's remuneration may not be less than the minimum wage (SMIC). The contract may include non-competition clauses, whose duration and scope must be proportionate.
The player's image rights are subject to specific provisions: the commercial exploitation of the player's image in the context of their professional activity must be expressly provided for and compensated. The duty of loyalty prohibits the player from any match-fixing or cheating practices.
Early termination of the contract is governed by the provisions of the Sports Code and may give rise to training or transfer fees. Minors over 12 years old may participate in competitions under certain conditions, but the esports employment contract is reserved for adults.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Common contracts include sponsorship contracts, player contracts, and publisher contracts. Our attorneys help you draft and negotiate these contracts.
An esports attorney plays a crucial role for competitive gaming actors. They advise on negotiating and drafting contracts between players, teams, organizers, and sponsors, while ensuring compliance with sector-specific regulations.
Copyright protection involves managing rights on created content, including streams and videos. Our experts advise on best practices to guarantee your rights.
The professional player contract is a specific fixed-term contract with a minimum duration of 12 months, governed by article 102 of Law No. 2016-1321 of 7 October 2016 and its implementing decrees (Decrees No. 2017-871 and 2017-872 of 9 May 2017). Compensation cannot be lower than the minimum wage (SMIC).
Yes, under conditions. The ANJ (Autorité nationale des jeux) supervises esports betting, which is authorized on video game competitions listed by the ANJ. Operators must hold a license and comply with the obligations of the amended Law of May 12, 2010.
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