Video Game Industry

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (2 July 2020).

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): The Minister for Innovation and Skills has advised:

Game developers typically retain the intellectual property over all original games that they create, including games created by South Australian studios that will be supported by the expanded PDV rebate for games.

Video games are among the most valuable intellectual properties of any creative works, and they often continue to provide strong revenue streams back to their developers for years after they are first released or even become franchised.

For example, the game Hollow Knight, created and owned by South Australian studio Team Cherry, is still globally popular even though it was released back in 2017. A highly anticipated sequel is due to be released this year.

Australia's strong copyright framework, which is governed by federal law, is effective in protecting the intellectual properties of South Australian game developers, and provides them with various ways to enforce their copyright.

Among other things, Australian copyright laws give South Australian game developers legal rights to protect their copyright from infringement by other people and businesses, whether they are based in Australia or overseas, while the use of technological protection measures (TPM) in our sector makes video games among the most resistant of all cultural content against piracy.