We are the first legal team in Poland focused entirely on the video game industry. We have been working with video game and tech clients for years, which allows us to truly understand our clients’ businesses and the markets in which they operate. This is why we can tailor our services to the specific needs of our clients. For us, “industry knowledge” is not just another marketing slogan: it means that we always view legal and commercial issues in the context of the specific industry in which our clients operate.
Our approach
We have worked for, and partnered with other law firms for many years, and we know when legal work is, and is not, needed for a particular client or a particular issue. We understand our role and know when and why lawyers can be dealbreakers rather than dealmakers. This is why we always strive to add real value to our services. We are committed to crafting our advice and delivering it in a clear and simple manner so that our clients can rely on it to make informed decisions efficiently and effectively.
How we can help
We are a one-stop-shop for legal advice, enabling us to cover all of our clients’ needs under one roof. After having worked in the video game industry for years, we decided to focus our services on the most important areas in respect of which our clients seek advice.
We review, draft and negotiate B2B contracts, including:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eagreements for the production, development, publishing and distribution of video games and related services;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003elicence agreements, and agreements for the assignment and transfer of IP rights to video games, video game assets and related materials;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003emerchandising agreements (classic and digital merch);u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003econtracts for the use of a likeness or image in video games and marketing;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eJV partnership agreements regarding video game projects;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ework‑for‑hire agreements;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eagency agreements for acquiring projects or funds for video game companies;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eagreements for the use or adaptation of IP from video games in novels, comic books and other works;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003elicence agreements for the use of plugins (e.g. Unreal and Unity) and other tools; andu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003efreelancing agreements.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e
Our services related to IP include:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003ethe preparation of advanced IP strategies for the use of IP rights in video games and related services;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe exploitation of IP protected assets in innovative ways (NFT, blockchain, AI, etc.);u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003econtent clearance for video game assets, stories, characters, music, UI, gameplay and marketing assets – to prevent any infringement of the rights of others;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eopen‑source clearance – when and how to use assets based on open‑source licences and how to deal with copyleft licences;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ebrand and intellectual property right protection and enforcement, including trademarks, domain names, utility designs and trade dress;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe filing for and registration of IP rights (in Poland and other countries);u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eco‑existence agreements (for trademarks and other distinctive signs); andu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in video games and related services.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e
We provide a full range of services related to corporate and VC/Mu0026amp;A:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003esetting up a company structure in Poland (holding companies, new entities, relocations, and group companies)u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cspan class=u0022s1u0022u003eday‑to‑day corporate governance;u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eventure capital investment transactions:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003evendor due diligence,u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003edue diligence,u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eterm sheets, andu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe negotiation of terms in transaction documents (SSA, SHA, etc.);u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eMergers u0026amp; Acquisitions (share and asset deals);u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eImplementation of ESOP / MSOP;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eintra‑group service agreements; andu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003estrategies for implementing advanced corporate structures.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e
We represent our clients when their rights are being threatened, or when they face potential criminal, civil or regulatory liability. We provide a full range of support services in terms of structuring litigation strategies and preparing defence files, as well as implementing such strategies in Poland and other countries. Such services include:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003ethe preparation and implementation of litigation strategies;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe preparation of settlement agreements with business partners of our video game clients;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe provision of advice on the protection of IP rights to video games, rights to revenue sharing, Steam cards, etc., in the case of disputes with business partners (e.g. with publishers);u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ecross‑border coordination of litigation actions;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003edefence against civil and criminal claims regarding the use of third‑party rights, decisions of management boards, general regulations, etc.; andu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe pursuit of claims against non‑performing business partners of our clients (royalties, revenue sharing, milestone payments, etc.).u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e
We provide comprehensive HR law and related advice for video game companies, including advice on:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003ethe structure of staffing models from a legal perspective;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eemployment contracts, in particular with creative staff;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003econtracts with individual service providers;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe termination of employees;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe drafting and introduction of employment policies and procedures;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe introduction of employee capital plans (PPK);u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe introduction of incentive schemes;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003elegal issues surrounding the performance of remote work;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe assessment and mitigation of risks related to employment;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe introduction of 50% tax‑deductible costs; andu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe implementation of IP box tax deduction schemes for video game companies.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e
We take an innovative approach to the provision of services for the regulatory and contractual aspects of video games and related platforms, which include:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eEULAs;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe terms of use for websites;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe terms of service for platforms and applications;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe terms of sale for e‑commerce platforms;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe terms and conditions of contests and prize drawings;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe implementation of payment gates/non‑FIAT models of payments in video games and related services;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ecloud gaming; andu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003estreaming platforms.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e
We provide a full range of support with respect to the creation of a global approach to the processing of personal data by video game companies regarding:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eprivacy policies;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ecookie banners/policies;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe full implementation of the GDPR within a company;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe implementation of a global data protection scheme for a video game company under different legal regimes (GDPR, CCPA, etc.);u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe processing of personal data in video games (matchmaking, geolocation, profiling, aggregation, etc.);u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eprivacy consents and other bases for processing;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe transfer of personal data within and outside of the European Union;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003erepresentation before data privacy authorities;u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ethe provision of Data Privacy Officer duties for a company; andu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003erisk analyses (DPIA), i.e. the verification of the adequacy of the applied security measures, including within IT infrastructure.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e
Clients who have trusted us
We have advised or represented over 50 clients in relation to video games, including developers, publishers, freelancers, service providers, marketing agencies, celebrities, porting houses, content providers, payment service providers and more. Our clients are based in Poland, the UK, the Baltic States, the US, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Canada, Ukraine and elsewhere.
Legal Summit powered by Rymarz Zdort Maruta
Since 2022 we have been organising the “Legal Summit powered by Rymarz Zdort Maruta” – a unique event focused on the legal and business aspects of the gamedev sector. Each year it brings together participants from Poland and around the world (Europe, US, Asia), including representatives of the video game industry, lawyers, business consultants and video games enthusiasts.
The 2025 edition was part of the Digital Dragons Conference – one of the leading B2B events for the gamedev industry in Europe. We had two days packed with meetings, 13 thematic panels, more than 30 experts and lots of practical knowledge.
Meet the team
We are lawyers by choice and gamers at heart. We bring our passions for law and games together in our services for our clients.
Michał Pękała
Michał is the head of the Video Games & Entertainment practice at the law firm of Rymarz Zdort Maruta, a lawyer with 15+ years of experience in the video game industry and one of the very first lawyers in Poland to begin advising video game companies. Michał specialises in the creation of overall legal strategies for video game companies and gaming projects, from start-ups to fully grown companies. His areas of expertise include intellectual property rights in video games, commercial contracts, corporate and VC/M&A, IT, data protection, e-commerce, and dispute resolution.
Michał has advised on some of the most complex video game projects on the Polish market. He is a long-time advisor to the Indie Games Polska foundation and several other non-governmental organisations, as well as a recurring speaker at a majority of the Polish video game conferences (Digital Dragons, GIC, More Than Just a Game, Mastering the Game and Pixel Connect). He is a life-long enthusiast of video and board games.
Jakub is a lawyer for the gaming industry specialising in HR law, intellectual property, personal data and commercial contracts. Aside from being a gamer for over 20 years, he has over 10 years of professional experience in his practice areas. Jakub advises clients during VC transactions and supports studios in launching their operations in Poland. Whether you need a comprehensive review of your publishing deal or a solid contract with your studio’s staff, Jakub is there to help you.
Michał is a qualified attorney-at-law specialising in intellectual property, IT, electronic communication, e-commerce, personal data and commercial contracts, with over eight years of professional experience in his practice areas. His professional experience includes numerous projects carried out for the technology industry and GameDev, both at the Polish and international level. If he’s not currently solving complex and intricate legal problems, he is probably saving the world in some cRPGs or action games. If you need help negotiating contracts, implementing new technology or ensuring regulatory compliance, Michał is the person you need.
Aleksandra is a technology lawyer specialising in IT and other commercial contracts, intellectual property (in particular, copyrights and trademarks), data protection, e-commerce and unfair competition. Aleksandra is a woman of many talents and is not afraid of any legal challenge or legal conundrum, even if it is more complex than the Forrester family tree in the “Bold and Beautiful”. She has advised on over one hundred technology transactions involving Poland’s largest entities. She also has extensive experience in licence management and trademark protection within the video games industry. Privately, she is a video gamer with over 20 years of experience and a big fan of all “Star Wars” games and the “FIFA” series, although she believes that PES 5 is the best football game of all time.
