Video Game Law for the Non-Game Lawyer

Zachary Strebeck | Legal Moves PC

Zachary Strebeck is the Founding Attorney of Legal Moves PC, a California law firm dedicated exclusively to the video game and board game industry. Based in San Francisco, he advises game developers, publishers, studios, and technology companies on intellectual property, licensing, contracts, business formation, publishing agreements, trademarks, copyrights, and other legal matters unique to the interactive entertainment industry. With more than a decade of experience representing clients across the gaming sector, his practice spans everything from independent developers launching their first games to major licensing transactions involving budgets approaching $100 million.

• Education & Credentials

Zachary Strebeck earned his J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law, where he also completed a Master of Dispute Resolution degree. He is admitted to practice law in California and has been licensed since 2013.

• Recognition & Leadership

As the founder of Legal Moves PC, Zachary has established a practice focused exclusively on the legal needs of the game industry. He is recognized for his experience advising video game, board game, software, and interactive entertainment companies on complex intellectual property and commercial matters, helping clients navigate the legal and business challenges of game development and publishing.

• Professional Involvement

Zachary is a frequent speaker and educator on legal issues affecting the game industry and has presented continuing legal education programs on topics including social media ethics, remote workforce management, trade secret protection, and intellectual property. He regularly publishes educational resources for game developers and entrepreneurs on contracts, trademarks, copyrights, and business law.

• Experience

Before founding Legal Moves PC, Zachary gained legal and industry experience with Crowdfunder, Lionsgate Entertainment, PorchLight Entertainment, and the Los Angeles County court system as a mediator. A former animator and game designer, he combines his creative industry background with his legal practice to advise clients on business formation, licensing, publishing, intellectual property protection, commercial agreements, and other legal matters affecting video game and board game companies.

Jacob Vela | Argo Law

Jacob Vela is the Founder of Argo Law, where he focuses on transactional legal services for game developers, content creators, website owners, app developers, and other creative professionals. His practice centers on intellectual property, contracts, business formation, and other legal issues affecting the gaming and creator economy. As both a lawyer and an independent game developer, Jacob brings firsthand experience to advising clients on the legal and business challenges involved in creating, publishing, and commercializing creative works.

• Education & Credentials

Jacob Vela earned his J.D. before launching his legal practice focused on the gaming and creator industries. His legal education emphasized intellectual property and contract law, areas that now form the foundation of his practice.

• Recognition & Leadership

As the founder of Argo Law, Jacob has built a practice dedicated to serving the legal needs of game developers, content creators, and other creative professionals. His unique perspective as both a practicing attorney and game developer allows him to provide practical guidance tailored to the creative industries and advocate for the broader gaming and creator communities.

• Professional Involvement

Jacob is actively involved in the gaming and creator communities as both a lawyer and a creator. He regularly educates developers and content creators on intellectual property protection, contracts, business formation, and other legal issues through articles, educational resources, and industry outreach, with the goal of helping creators focus on building and growing their businesses.

• Experience

Jacob has been creating games since childhood, progressing from designing paper games to programming and developing video games, including publishing his own commercial title on Steam. Through Argo Law, he advises clients on intellectual property protection, business formation, contract drafting and negotiation, and other transactional matters affecting game developers, app developers, content creators, and creative businesses. His experience as both a creator and attorney enables him to provide practical legal guidance rooted in an understanding of the creative process.

SESSION 1 – Video Game Studio Formation Issues | 1:00pm – 1:30pm

New game studios raise formation questions from day one: choosing the right entity, structuring ownership among founders, and setting the studio up for the deals ahead. This session walks the non-game lawyer through the formation issues game clients present.

SESSION 2 – Intellectual Property Basics For Games, From Concept to Registration to Enforcement | 1:30pm – 2:00pm

A game is a bundle of intellectual property. This session follows that IP from concept through registration to enforcement — what protection covers a game’s elements, when and how to register, and the options available when a client’s rights are infringed.

BREAK | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

SESSION 3 – Game Contracts Analysis and Negotiation Points for Clients on Both Sides of Typical Deals | 2:10pm – 2:40pm

Game deals put clients on both sides of the table. This session analyzes the contracts behind typical industry deals, breaking down the provisions that matter most and the negotiation points counsel should press whether representing the developer or the other side.

SESSION 4 – eSports, Gambling, Privacy, and Other Games Industry Issues | 2:40pm – 3:10pm

Beyond formation, IP, and contracts, the games industry raises issues all its own. This session surveys eSports arrangements, gambling questions, and player privacy obligations — the industry-specific problems most likely to surprise practitioners taking on their first game clients.