{"id":352493,"date":"2021-11-16T13:54:08","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T18:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/can-i-sue-a-video-game-creator-or-company.html"},"modified":"2024-01-31T13:22:16","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T18:22:16","slug":"can-i-sue-a-video-game-creator-or-company","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/can-i-sue-a-video-game-creator-or-company.html","title":{"rendered":"Can I Sue A Video Game Creator or Company?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can I Sue A Video Game Creator or Company? <\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Hannah Hilst<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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You can sue a video game creator or company if you have valid grounds. Some problems require an alternative process called arbitration. Disputes outside gameplay, like copyright infringement or employment issues, might allow court proceedings.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Many cases are governed by the end-user license agreement (EULA). Unless you are a minor, you must typically follow the contractual dispute resolution process in the EULA. That process usually starts outside of court, informally, and then goes through arbitration.<\/p>\n

If a game isn’t as expected or promised, your recovery is generally limited to the cost of the game. If it’s an online game, you might recover the amount you spent on it over the previous 12 months.<\/p>\n

But your dispute may not relate to the use or play of a game. It could arise in many other contexts, like theft of your creative work, employment issues, or a contract dispute.<\/p>\n

In such cases, the EULA doesn’t bind you. You could bring your dispute to court, depending on the facts of the case. Consult a lawyer<\/a> to understand your rights and evaluate whether you can bring a lawsuit.<\/p>\n

The Power of the Video Game Industry\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Gaming has become the most popular form of entertainment worldwide. The Entertainment Software Association<\/a> (ESA) represents the video game industry. Beyond PC gaming, some of the most popular consoles are the Sony PlayStation, the Microsoft Xbox, and the Nintendo Switch.<\/p>\n

Popular video game franchises include:<\/p>\n