By Whitney Meers

The videogame industry thrives because of the creative minds that push the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming. The New York Game Awards, which take place on Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at SVA Theater in New York City, is an opportunity to highlight these achievements of these talented creators and celebrate their contributions to a flourishing industry. Tickets are still available for this annual celebration of gaming culture.

An event like this wouldn’t be possible without the work of the legal minds who work diligently to protect the intellectual property rights of industry creators. The lawyers at Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp, LLP (MSK), who have graciously signed on once again as donors to our nonprofit, seek to help gaming industry professionals navigate these increasingly muddy waters.

MSK provides gaming industry leaders with the legal resources necessary to allow them to develop incredible projects while ensuring their right to profit from their work. As the gaming world becomes more complex, so too do the legal issues that arise with copyright, trademark, privacy and trade issues. For the industry to continue to grow, gaming-related companies need to work with trusted legal professionals who will protect their intellectual property rights from start to finish.

The lawyers at MSK have established precedent some of the toughest cases in the history of gaming. For example, MSK’s Marc Mayer is a veteran attorney who has successfully litigated efforts to crack down on a company that developed League of Legends cheating software. Because of his efforts, these game hackers were held accountable for ruining the game for so many others. The New York Videogame Critics Circle’s is thrilled that Marc continues to serve as our organization’s board treasurer.

The firm’s generosity not only supports the mission of the New York Videogame Critics Circle in the community but also demonstrates continued support for a vibrant gaming industry.