University Offers Game Law Focus From 'Serious Game' Prof

This fall University of La Verne College of Law, in addition to its traditional courses, will now offer an academic program with an emphasis on computer game law, from a Professor also noted for the Objection! series of 'serious games'. The nation's first class on computer game law was taught in 2002 by University of La Verne College of Law Professor Ashley Lipson. This year, Lipson and his colleagues have created a comprehensive schedule of course offerings that include "Multimedia Law," "The Law of the Computer Games Industry" and "The Law of Cyberspace," along with classes in intellectual property and entertainment law. Professor Lipson also developed the Objection! software series, which simulates courtroom experiences with facts and questions covering all aspects of the trial examination process, including both direct and cross-examination. It is used by lawyers throughout the United States and other countries. Lipson will also issue an initial edition of "Computer Game Law," the first academic casebook on the subject, exclusively to University of La Verne law school students. The casebook will cover a broad range of legal topics directly related to the computer game industry, including acquisition of game rights and ideas, intellectual property rights and licenses (copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade names, and trade dress and trade secrecy), marketing and distribution, industry and content regulation (adult content, pornography and violence) and property rights in virtual worlds. Lipson is the author, creator and programmer of SivPro!, the first set of combined computer games and tutorials targeted toward law students. The University of La Verne College of Law is the only campus in the country where law tutorial video game updates are tested by students before they are released to law firms, major universities, law schools, high schools, municipalities and prosecutorial agencies around the country.