Protection of computer games and video games

5 Abstract Protection of computer games and video games This study aims to explore the issue of legal protection of video games and their components, with the main focus on the intellectual property rights. Furthermore, this study describes the possibility of the protection for video games as complex unit through a copyright and the protection of video games or their components using the industrial property rights, in particular through patent and trademark protection. The study also aims to describe the legal status of the video game protection, within the framework of Czech legal system as well as European Union law and international law. Finally, this study summarises the issues arising from the existing legal regulation and provides possible implications. The first chapter outlines the main rationale for choosing the topic of the study and the aims of the study. The second chapter describes and defines the term video game and computer game. The third chapter contains brief history of the development of video games and their technical and legal protection. The section highlights important milestones in the development of protection of video games as well as some important decisions regarding video games, important organisations and regulations within the European Union and international law. Fourth..