Esports and Arbitration

Little known by the over-35s, esport is a real phenomenon in the "sport business" to the extent that the French newspaper L'Équipe is now devoting a special segment to it. The immense potential of this industry has led the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to use it as a stepping-stone to rejuvenate and diversify its "sport offer".

To this end, the IOC has decided to distinguish between virtual sports and video games competitions, both joined under the term "esport". Thus, while the IOC considers video games competitions to be a recreational activity, it classifies virtual sports in the field of sport, on the condition that they are simulations of real sports regulated and supervised by an international federation. Due to their inclusion in the category of sports, virtual sports will have the same regime, and the resolution of related disputes will therefore likely be subject to the Court of Arbitration for Sport jurisdiction.

However, what will happen to the disputes related to esport/competitive video games?

K&L Gates’ Paris International Arbitration team, represented by Louis Degos, Managing Partner, and Sarra Saïdi, Associate, invites you to discuss the potential dispute resolution mechanisms available for Esports, as part of Paris Arbitration Week 2022.

We look forward to seeing you there!