I can see clearly now the walls have gone: IP law vs. mods, cheats and hacks in video games

This article explores the role of copyright protection in addressing the risks of mods, cheats and hacking software in video games. We consider the implications of the recent decision of the CJEU in the long-running Sony v. Datel dispute and seek to reconcile its conclusions with the earlier UK litigation in Take-Two v. James . We also consider the role of other forms of intellectual property protection in addressing mods and cheat software, the differences in approach a games developer might take in relation to single-player and multiplayer games, and whether, in appropriate circumstances tolerating activities, such as modding could make commercial sense.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Interactive Entertainment Law Review
Published
2025-08-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.4337/ielr.2025.0011
Primary Topic
Digital Games and Media
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

I can see clearly now the walls have gone: IP law vs. mods, cheats and hacks in video games

Aaron Trebble, Adrian Aronsson-Storrier, Jemma Costin
Interactive Entertainment Law Review
Digital Games and Media
article

I can see clearly now the walls have gone: IP law vs. mods, cheats and hacks in video games

Aaron Trebble, Adrian Aronsson-Storrier, Jemma Costin
article en

Abstract

This article explores the role of copyright protection in addressing the risks of mods, cheats and hacking software in video games. We consider the implications of the recent decision of the CJEU in the long-running Sony v. Datel dispute and seek to reconcile its conclusions with the earlier UK litigation in Take-Two v. James . We also consider the role of other forms of intellectual property protection in addressing mods and cheat software, the differences in approach a games developer might take in relation to single-player and multiplayer games, and whether, in appropriate circumstances tolerating activities, such as modding could make commercial sense.

Interactive Entertainment Law Review
Openalex Percentile: Top 71%
Digital Games and Media
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