Peoples & Things Julien Mailland on "The Game That Never Ends: How Lawyers Shape the Videogame Industry"
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Sep 15, 2025 Julien Mailland, an Associate Professor at Indiana University and author of The Game That Never Ends, dives into the fascinating world where law meets the video game industry. He discusses how legal battles since the 1970s have shaped game development and innovation, emphasizing critical themes like intellectual property and freedom of speech. Mailland also shares insights on the geopolitical history of Tetris, revealing its complex legal challenges and the intertwined relationships in gaming that highlight both collaboration and competition.
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Law Shapes Game History
- The video game industry story is shaped by hidden legal and commercial forces, not just designers.
- Julien Mailland argues legal work by lawyers and policymakers built the industry's structure.
Atari's Strategic Patent Settlement
- Atari settled with Magnavox by licensing a patent and securing Magnavox's help suing competitors.
- That strategy let Atari scale while competitors paid royalties that limited their growth.
Litigation Is A Strategic Tool
- Suing is a strategic choice driven by costs, timing, and market dynamics, not only legal correctness.
- Atari often chose innovation over litigation because games became obsolete quickly.
