DLG Seminar Pinpoints Top Legal Risks for Game Industry Through 2026
Facing a perfect storm of copyright disputes, loot box regulations, and the rise of generative AI, the gaming industry is navigating a treacherous legal landscape. At a packed seminar in Seoul on February 11, law firm DLG offered a lifeline, presenting a practical roadmap for professionals to manage the key legal risks expected to shape the sector through 2026.
Copyright Disputes Take Center Stage
Kicking off the first session, DLG partner Hwang Hye-jin tackled the escalating issue of copyright infringement. Her deep dive into major 2025 court precedents clarified the razor-thin line between borrowing an idea and illegally copying a protected creative expression. Attendees praised her practical guidelines, which were designed for immediate application in development studios.
Navigating Regulatory Change and New Tech
Regulatory shifts taking effect this year were another central theme. Oh Jin-hae, a lawyer from the Korea Creative Content Agency, detailed the new ‘Content Collective Dispute Resolution System’ launched in February. He explained its origins and procedures, forecasting a significant paradigm shift in how game companies will handle future disputes.
The legal risks surrounding artificial intelligence, arguably the industry’s most pressing concern, also took the spotlight. DLG partner Kim Dong-hwan delivered a comparative analysis of Korean and EU AI legislation, urging companies to adopt strategies that align with emerging global standards. He cut through the ambiguity on sensitive issues, such as determining creatorship and rights ownership in AI-assisted game development, and offered concrete strategies for managing potential risks when using third-party AI generation tools.
The Critical Need for Proactive Risk Management
“This seminar provides tangible support for game companies to proactively manage legal risks in a rapidly changing regulatory environment,” stated DLG managing partners Jo Won-hee and Ahn Hee-chul, highlighting the event’s purpose. This sentiment was echoed by legal professionals in attendance, who confirmed the session was invaluable for getting a clear, comprehensive overview of complex new court rulings and regulatory shifts.
The Looming Challenge of AI Regulation
The rapid legislative push around AI in Korea presents a particularly thorny challenge for game companies. A growing consensus among experts is that the proposed AI Framework Act, in its current form, risks stifling innovation rather than fostering it. With the technology still in its infancy, the prevailing argument is that rigid laws are premature. Instead, policymakers should support a soft landing for the industry through flexible frameworks like regulatory sandboxes.
