Legal Protection for Video Game Developers in Copyright, DMCA, and Platform Takedown Disputes
Karamanolis & Karamanolis LLC represented a Cyprus-based video game company in a complex and high-risk copyright dispute arising shortly after the launch of a new hyper-casual video game. The case highlights the firm’s deep expertise in video game copyright law, DMCA takedown disputes, and cross-border intellectual property litigation involving digital platforms.
Background: Copyright Allegations Following a Hyper-Casual Game Launch
Our client, an emerging video game developer headquartered in Cyprus, had recently released a new hyper-casual game with the objective of entering a highly competitive global market. Significant investments had already been made in game development, testing, and launch.
Shortly after release, a rival video game company based outside Cyprus alleged that the new game infringed the copyrights of its own established hyper-casual title. The rival claimed that the game was a “clone” and submitted a DMCA takedown notice to major digital distribution platforms, seeking removal of our client’s game.
Such takedown actions pose an existential threat to video game developers, as removal from platforms can immediately destroy a game’s commercial viability, disrupt user acquisition, and cause irreparable reputational and financial harm.
Legal Strategy: Copyright Law, Game Mechanics, and Scenes à Faire
From the outset, Karamanolis & Karamanolis LLC adopted a strategic and industry-specific legal approach grounded in both Cyprus copyright law and U.S. copyright principles, which are directly relevant in DMCA proceedings.
Our position was clear:
- Game mechanics, ideas, rules, and systems are not protected by copyright, under either Cyprus or U.S. law.
- Many of the allegedly infringing elements cited by the rival company pre-existed their game and had been widely used in earlier video games.
- Other claimed similarities consisted of stock elements, scenes à faire, or features common to the hyper-casual game genre, which cannot form the basis of a copyright infringement claim.
- Any remaining similarities were superficial and did not rise to the level of protectable expression.
These principles are central to video game copyright disputes worldwide and are frequently misunderstood or misused by competitors attempting to suppress new market entrants.
Proactive Litigation to Prevent Platform Takedown
To protect our client from an imminent and potentially catastrophic takedown, Karamanolis & Karamanolis LLC initiated legal proceedings in Cyprus seeking:
- A declaration of non-infringement, confirming that our client’s game did not infringe the rival’s copyrights.
- Interim injunctive relief ordering the rival video game company to withdraw and refrain from pursuing takedown requests.
- Injunctive relief against the platforms, prohibiting them from removing the game pending resolution of the dispute.
The Cyprus court granted the interim injunctions, effectively safeguarding the continued availability of the game on digital platforms and stabilizing the client’s business during the litigation.
Final Outcome: Court Declaration of Non-Infringement
Following full consideration of the merits, the court issued a final declaration confirming that our client’s video game did not infringe the copyrights of the rival company. The decision validated the legal position advanced by Karamanolis & Karamanolis LLC and provided the client with long-term legal certainty and protection.
Cross-Border Coordination and Video Game Litigation Expertise
This case exemplifies the realities of modern video game disputes, which are often multijurisdictional, platform-driven, and intertwined with U.S. copyright law through the DMCA.
Karamanolis & Karamanolis LLC worked in close coordination with leading IP and video game litigation counsel in the United States, ensuring comprehensive protection for the client in both Cyprus and the U.S. legal landscape. Such coordination is essential where global platforms, international publishers, and cross-border enforcement mechanisms are involved.
Industry Experience and Legal Leadership
The matter was handled in Cyprus by Yiannis Karamanolis and Andreas Karamanolis, who have extensive experience advising and representing clients in the video game, interactive entertainment, and digital media industries.
Karamanolis & Karamanolis LLC regularly advises video game developers, publishers, and technology companies on:
- Video game copyright and IP disputes
- DMCA takedown notices and counter-notifications
- Platform disputes and content removal
- Game cloning and unfair competition claims
- Cross-border IP enforcement and litigation
- Regulatory and commercial issues in the gaming industry
A Trusted Law Firm for the Video Game Industry
This case underscores the importance of engaging legal counsel with deep industry knowledge, technical understanding of video games, and experience across multiple jurisdictions. Karamanolis & Karamanolis LLC is recognized for providing strategic, business-focused legal solutions to video game companies operating in fast-moving and high-risk environments.
Karamanolis & Karamanolis LLC continues to position itself as a leading law firm for the video game industry, offering sophisticated legal representation to clients in Cyprus, Europe, and internationally.
Karamanolis & Karamanolis LLC is a Cyprus-based law firm with dedicated experience advising video game developers, publishers, and technology companies on copyright, DMCA takedown disputes, platform enforcement, and cross-border IP litigation in the gaming and interactive entertainment industry.