Press Start: Copyright Law and the Rise of Video Games, Part 1

Video games have long pushed the boundaries of copyright law, evolving from simple computer programs into complex, collaborative works spanning code, art, music, and storytelling. This panel traces the development of copyright law after the Copyright Act of 1976 and its impact on video games through pivotal cases that examine foundational questions of copyrightability and nuanced doctrines governing infringement and related defenses. Panelists will also discuss the role of the U.S. Copyright Office in shaping the legal and policy landscape for interactive works and connect these developments to the creation and commercialization of one of the world’s fastest-growing creative industries.