Mailland’s new book explores legal history of the videogame industry
Associate professor of media management, law, and policy Julien Mailland published a new book that discusses the vital role of law in the video game industry. A lawyer with 17 years of experience in the financial industry, Mailland examines how legal frameworks influence this dynamic field.
The book, “The Game That Never Ends: How Lawyers Shape the Videogame Industry,” aims to entertain and educate both lawyers and non-lawyers, encouraging readers to think critically about the forces shaping creative industries. Mailland emphasizes the importance of understanding legal contexts in media studies.
Mailland was inspired by professor Raiford Guins’s speech at The Media School eight years ago about his book, “Aarti Design” where he argued that understanding the video game industry requires a holistic view, integrating business and legal aspects. Mailand illustrates his work in his new book as a project built on the research Raiford had conducted, aiming to shed light on how lawyers shape creative industries.
Rather than following a traditional timeline, the book presents a series of engaging vignettes that explore key legal cases, from patents to international law.
Mailland highlights this layout saying, “I chose to focus on puzzles that are like vignettes — stories where a legal problem arises, gets negotiated, and is resolved, whether through court, negotiation, or behind-the-scenes action, documenting the ones I found most interesting.”
One notable case he enjoyed researching is Atari’s attempt to reverse-engineer Nintendo, which ended in legal disaster due to misleading practices by their lawyers.
Mailland identifies three major legal areas for the gaming industry: intellectual property, First Amendment protections, and global regulations. While the Supreme Court has recognized video games as protected speech, challenges around content regulation remain prevalent. As the gaming industry evolves, grasping its legal complexities is crucial. Mailland’s book offers valuable insights into the intersection of law and creativity, inviting readers to explore legal narratives that shape the video game landscape.
“The Game That Never Ends” was published on Aug. 27 by MIT Press and is available online for purchase.