Legal Framework Whether data law or consumer protection law, copyright or law enforcement: Here you will find an overview of the various areas of law that are particularly relevant to games. In addition, the most important questions about the collecting society for the producers of computer and video games (VHG) in Germany are answered and the licence directory for Let’s Plays is presented. Data Protection As in the entire digital economy, data protection plays an important role in games. That is why we as game advocate a modern data law. This section presents the current rules on electronic communications (cookies) in the games industry and explains the legal bases that apply to data transfers to third countries such as the USA and the UK. Learn more Law Enforcement Software and product piracy poses a major challenge for the games industry, threatening the economic livelihood of developers and publishers. Technical copy protection measures and server-based gaming serve to protect against unauthorised use. game commissions regular analyses of illegal uses of games in Germany, exchanges views in workshops with members and European umbrella associations, and takes action against structurally infringing websites through the CUII. Learn more Consumer protection The games industry is aware of its responsibility towards consumers and relies on simple and uniform rules that are easy to understand. For games companies, which usually offer their games internationally, it is important that consumer protection rules are as uniform as possible, at least in Europe. This section provides an overview of the warranty law for digital products and the EU’s planned Digital Fairness Act. Learn more Copyright Copyright is the economic framework for the production and distribution of digital goods such as computer and video games. Here you can find information on how game is working to ensure that creative work is fairly remunerated, even in the age of AI, and that overly complicated copyright law does not become a locational disadvantage for German developers and publishers. Learn more Toxic Behaviour/Hate Speech Toxic behaviour and hate speech are a serious problem in the games industry. Games companies take action against such behaviour in various ways, because toxic communities can damage a game’s reputation and significantly diminish the fun of playing, to the point where players no longer want to use a game. An overview of the industry’s measures and the legal framework under the Digital Services Act can be found here. Learn more Collecting Society VHG In 2023, the game members founded a collecting society for the producers of computer and video games. This Verwertungsgesellschaft für die Hersteller von Games mbH (VHG) was officially authorised by the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) on 9 September 2025. With this, the German games industry is following the same path as most other sectors of the cultural and creative industries, which have had such institutions for many years. Further information about VHG can be found on its website. Answers to the most important questions can be found in the following FAQ. Learn more License Directory for Let’s Plays Games are complex works and their content is protected by copyright. Permission is therefore required to play and stream them publicly. Some publishers allow the use of their content under certain conditions, for example for Let’s Plays and walkthroughs. Here you will find an overview of links containing further information from the publishers, without guarantee or claim to being up to date. Learn more
