Gaming in China - Session on the Protection of Minors and the Limitation of Games in the Middle Kingdom - Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel

Children and young people in particular are drawn to screens, with never-ending online games that involve meeting friends virtually often posing the risk of excessive consumption.

Key Facts

Children and young people are strongly attracted to screens.
Online games offer endless entertainment and contact, but carry the risk of excessive consumption.
China has strict rules for online games: Young people have only been allowed to play for three hours a week since September.
These restrictions are intended to promote moderate media consumption and protect the health of young people.
The debate about such measures could also influence the German-speaking gaming sector.
The B3 Biennale of the Moving Image in Frankfurt focused on these challenges and experiences in the games market.
Feedback on these concepts and experiences is highly appreciated.

Asia is considered a pioneer in online gaming and Esports.

But now the world’s largest games market is pulling the emergency brake: Since September, young people in China have only been allowed to play online for three hours a week. What’s behind it? Does that really make sense? And could and should this tough protection of minors also be a model for the German-speaking gaming sector? How can moderate media consumption and virtual sports on the screen be reconciled?

To this end, I participated in a session at the B3 Biennale of the Moving Image in Frankfurt and shared my experience of the Chinese market and of serving clients from this sector and those wishing to enter the market.

I would be very happy about feedback.

Author: Marian Härtel

Marian Härtel ist Rechtsanwalt und Fachanwalt für IT-Recht mit einer über 25-jährigen Erfahrung als Unternehmer und Berater in den Bereichen Games, E-Sport, Blockchain, SaaS und Künstliche Intelligenz. Seine Beratungsschwerpunkte umfassen neben dem IT-Recht insbesondere das Urheberrecht, Medienrecht sowie Wettbewerbsrecht. Er betreut schwerpunktmäßig Start-ups, Agenturen und Influencer, die er in strategischen Fragen, komplexen Vertragsangelegenheiten sowie bei Investitionsprojekten begleitet. Dabei zeichnet sich seine Beratung durch einen interdisziplinären Ansatz aus, der juristische Expertise und langjährige unternehmerische Erfahrung miteinander verbindet. Ziel seiner Tätigkeit ist stets, Mandanten praxisorientierte Lösungen anzubieten und rechtlich fundierte Unterstützung bei der Umsetzung innovativer Geschäftsmodelle zu gewährleisten.