Example of intellectual invasion of violent video games argumentative essay

Outline – The Intellectual Invasion of Video Games
1 INTRODUCTION
This is an argumentative essay on the subject of the protection of intellectual property in video games. The paper begins with an introduction to current situation pertaining to intellectual property in the gaming industry, particularly video games and virtual worlds. It discusses, in brief, the scope of civil laws in intellectual property rights protection. It further discusses the interests of developers/ creators, owners/ contractors and users of video games and how each of them has some intellectual property in such games, especially where virtual worlds are involved. The introduction ends with a listing of the various legal articles that at the disposal of stakeholders in the video game industry to protect their intellectual property. The purpose of the introduction is to give the reader an overview of what the paper is about.
2 UNDERSTANDING IP IN THE GAMING INDUSTRY
Post the introduction, the differences between a traditional video game and modern virtual worlds is listed. The paper then proceeds to discuss in detail the current state of the gaming industry. It highlights the value of the industry in economic terms and the growth in user base that it has seen in the last two decades. The fast paced technological growth within the sector as well as the demographic changes that it has witnessed during this time is also shown. Forecasts and projections made by industry experts are used show the future potential of the industry. Further, the paper lists the various purposes, other than entertainment, that video games are now used for. The point that the massive monetary value associated with the industry drives further interest in intellectual property ownership and right of creators as well as users is put forth at this juncture. This segment of the paper is aimed at giving the reader a fair understanding of the gaming industry, the value of intellectual property to various stakeholders and why this right needs to be protected.
3 EULA, COPYRIGHT, PATENTS, TRADE SECRETS & TRADEMARKS
The third part of the paper is an in-depth analysis of the various articles of law that enable stakeholders to protect their intellectual property. These legal articles include the end-user license agreement or EULA, copyright, patents, trademarks and trade secrets. The salient features of each legal article, how it helps in protecting intellectual property and the shortcomings of each is discussed. This section of the paper seeks to show that, even though there are several provisions made by the law to empower creators as well as users of video games to protect their rights pertaining to intellectual property, these are insufficient to provide full protective cover to stakeholders. The need to for improvement in laws and better understanding of rights among stakeholders is highlighted at this point.
4 CONCLUSION
The final part of the paper is made up of the conclusion. This section summarizes the salient points of each legal article and suggests improvements in legislature that will enable better protection of the intellectual property rights of developers, contractors as well as users of video games and virtual worlds. It also discusses the challenges that the industry will face as a result of its own fast paced growth and what stakeholders of intellectual property in the gaming world can do in order to better protect their rights. This final part of the paper is aimed at giving the reader a closing view of how the problems and challenges facing the legal framework governing intellectual property in the gaming world can be addressed.