275.2S sec. 001 - Video Game Law (Summer 2026)
Instructor: Joseph Lee Schenck (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only)
Instructor: Jennifer Stanley (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only)
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Units: 1
Grading Designation: Credit Only
Mode of Instruction: In-Person
Meeting:
MTuWThF 4:45 PM - 7:20 PM
Location: Law 132
From July 13, 2026
To July 17, 2026
Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 4
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 35
As of: 04/13 04:33 AM
More than half of Americans play video games, and spending on interactive content now rivals streaming, film, and music. This course examines the legal landscape of video games, with a focus on copyrights (including clones), trademarks (e.g., inclusion of real-world locations and products in games), and right of publicity (realistic depictions of athletes and artists). We will discuss the various commercial agreements that are often implicated in how video games are developed, distributed, and consumed. We will also apply the law in practice by assuming the role of in-house counsel and conducting a mock developer–publisher negotiation. While no prior IP course is required, a basic understanding of copyrights and trademarks is strongly encouraged and will help. The semester culminates in a take-home final exam.
Joseph Schenck is a partner at Fenwick where he represents technology companies in commercial transactions involving intellectual property. He has extensive experience with IP transactions, including acquisitions, mergers and secured financings in the areas of software, SaaS, mobile platform products and other information technology assets.
Joseph is a top advisor in the games and interactive entertainment industries. He regularly counsels clients on commercial transactions involving games and eSports, including mergers and acquisitions, stock purchases and complex licensing transactions, including game publishing and developer agreements.
Prior to joining Fenwick, Joseph was an associate in the IP and litigation practice groups of a leading international law firm. He also was a programmer analyst for the U.S. Air Force, receiving an Achievement Medal from NATO for the creation of software to automate flight planning operations.
Jennifer Stanley is a partner in Fenwick’s San Francisco office. Known as a “primary care” advisor for intellectual property and commercial matters, she has a strong reputation for protecting clients’ legal interests while also lending practical advice to get deals done. She is a top advisor to leaders in the digital interactive entertainment industry, including the world’s leading game companies. She leads Fenwick’s copyright group and games industry group and co-leads the firm’s technology transactions group and digital media and entertainment, and consumer technologies and retail industry groups. She is also a go-to authority for AI matters.
Exam Notes: (TH) Take-home Final Exam
(Subject to change by faculty member only through the first two weeks of instruction)
Exam Length: 3 hours
Course Category: Intellectual Property and Technology Law
This course is listed in the following sub-categories:
AI Law and Regulation
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