Founded in February 2011, the VGBA mission is to serve its members, their specialized profession and the law governing their practice by providing worldwide tools and resources necessary to collectively achieve the highest level of expertise and service. The VGBA seeks to achieve its mission by constantly working toward three goals: (1) Serve our members; (2) Improve our profession; and (3) Advance the rule of law.
About
Management
Law Offices of David Rosenbaum
David has a wide-ranging international law practice, advising clients from around the world in matters such as developing and publishing games and related technology licensing; mergers and acquisitions in the game industry; licensing of brands, character, comic book, entertainment and sports properties; film and TV distribution; and book publishing. From 1981 to 1993, David held legal positions at Paramount Pictures, handling matters ranging from production, marketing and distribution of motion pictures to licensing and merchandising of character and entertainment properties. From 1986 to 1993, he was in charge of the legal affairs of Paramount's Marketing Division, including its Licensing Department, where he played an active role in Paramount's theatrical marketing and global entertainment licensing operations. Since entering private practice in 1993, David has represented leading publishers and developers of video and computer games, as well as property owners licensing game/digital rights.
David is a Co-Founder and current President of the Video Game Bar Association. David received his B.A. from The George Washington University in 1976 and his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 1980. David is admitted to practice law in New York and California.
Reed Smith
Patrick is Counsel in the Century City office of Reed Smith and heads up the firm's Video Game practice. Patrick is one of the leading attorneys in the games industry, having served both as in-house and external counsel to a variety of companies in his career. In his 13+ years in the games industry, Patrick has negotiated an array of game agreements, resulting in the commercial release of more than 200 game titles . In addition, he has represented clients with respect to game rights for more than 50 major motion picture licenses.
Patrick has written or been featured in various publications such as The Daily Journal, Game Developer Magazine. In addition, Patrick is a frequent speaker on video game panels and seminars on behalf of organizations such as: Law Seminars International, International Game Developers Association, American Bar Association, Beverly Hills Bar Association and Southwestern Law School.
Osborne Clark
Konstantin Ewald heads the German Interactive Entertainment practice group of pan-European law firm Osborne Clarke and advises on commercial transactions and regulatory issues relating to the cross over of technology and entertainment. He has extensive experience of the contractual and copyright issues relating to content licensing and distribution through new media platforms and applications, including digital distribution, streaming and web-based services. Konstantin regularly acts for listed video and computer games publishers as well as numerous development studios. His advice in matters of development, production and exploitation of game productions lets his clients profit from his comprehensive industry know-how. The 2011/2012 edition of the renowned German JUVE law firm handbook refers to him as a "leading name in the Games sector"
Activision Blizzard
Chief Public Policy Officer of Activision Blizzard. Mr. Rose became Executive Vice President and Chief Public Policy Officer of Activision Blizzard in November 2009. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Legal Officer from July 2008 to November 2009 and was Chief Legal Officer of Activision Publishing from September 2007 until July 2008, when the transaction with Vivendi Games was consummated. Mr. Rose joined Activision Blizzard in July 1995 and held various positions of increasing responsibility within the Business and Legal Affairs Department from then until November 2009, including serving as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Activision Blizzard from April 2000 until September 2007. Prior to joining Activision Blizzard, Mr. Rose was in private practice in Los Angeles from 1986 to 1995. Mr. Rose holds a B.B.A. degree from the University of Michigan and a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School.
THQ
Dave Anderson is currently Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs for THQ Inc. Prior to joining THQ, Dave was a partner at Offner & Anderson, P.C., a leading boutique in the interactive entertainment field before he and his partner joined Nixon Peabody LLP to start its Interactive Entertainment practice. Dave has over 15 years of experience in the video game industry advising, publisher, developers, and technology providers in all aspects of the industry.
The Escapist & Themis Media