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Areas of Interest
August 18th, 2014
Production Tax Incentives for Video Games
While tax incentives for film and television productions receive a lot of publicity, many states offer valuable business incentives for the production or development of video games as well. In some states the incentives can be very significant -- e.g., as high as a 35% of qualified spending. Some credits are transferable. And in some jurisdictions developers may even receive cash refunds for unused credits. An incentive can make investment in the project more attractive, or even become the decisive factor in whether a game gets made or not. Whether you're a start-up deciding where to launch a new game production company, or an established developer deciding where to base a new development team, knowing where the incentive programs are can be critical.
To help our clients and friends identify the different states that make production tax incentives available for video game production, we put together an overview of the current terms and requirements of the programs for video games offered in the United States. You can read the summary here.
We have many years of experience helping clients apply tax incentive programs to their entertainment ventures. If you have a question about state video game production tax incentives, or about any other interactive entertainment issue, contact Sean F. Kane at (212) 705 4845 or skane@fkks.com, or any other member of the Frankfurt Kurnit Interactive Entertainment Group.
Other Technology Law Alerts
Risky Business Just Got Riskier - DOJ Changes Stance on Internet Gambling
Last week the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) made waves in the online gambling industry with an Opinion interpreting the Wire Act (18 U.S.C. § 1084). In the Opinion, DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel concluded that most sections of the Wire Act are not limited to sports-related wagers and instead prohibit the use of interstate wires for any bets or wagers. Read more.
January 23 2019
Video Games With Advanced Communications Services Must Now Be Accessible to Players With Disabilities
An important legal waiver recently expired and as a result, video game developers and publishers must now ensure that new and substantially upgraded games comply with the accessibility requirements of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (“CVAA”). Read more.
January 7 2019
Shields On: 9th Circuit Strengthens Legal Defense for Video Game Developers
There's good news for game developers who incorporate real-world elements in their games. On October 20, 2017, the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a trial court decision which found that Gran Turismo, a Sony video game, was an expressive work entitled to First Amendment protection Read more.
November 2 2017
