FIVE STEPS EVERY ESPORTS STAKEHOLDER IN NIGERIA SHOULD PUT INTO CONSIDERATION

Esports in Nigeria is garnering interest, as renowned game publishers and developers such as Tencent Interactive Entertainment, Activision and Garena, international brands such as Spotify and Red Bull, are increasingly directing more attention towards the Nigerian market because of its social and human capital.

As the industry continues to grow, stakeholders need to think beyond visibility, and competitions. This article is for anyone building a brand, organizing tournaments, developing games, managing teams, or creating content within the esports ecosystem.

Who Are Esports Stakeholders?

Stakeholders in esports include game publishers and developers, tournament organizers, sponsors, teams, esports organizations and gaming talent. Gaming talent may include pro players, coaches, shoutcasters, and streamers.

If you are trying to get into the esports industry as any of the above, these are five steps you must put into consideration.

1. Protect Your Name or Brand

Your name is your most important asset in esports because it becomes your identity. Whether you are building a team, an organization, a creator brand, or a tournament platform, the name you choose is what people will come to recognize you by.

Trademarking the name you have chosen to be recognized with is the first step to protect your identity. This is done by conducting a trademark search in the relevant class under the Nice Classification. This helps you know whether the name is available or whether you need to choose a more distinct name.

Trademark search and registration in Nigeria is handled by the Trademark Registry of Nigeria. You should also check whether your logo can be trademarked. If you want international trademark protection, you may utilize the Madrid Protocol.

2. Control Ownership of Creative Assets

You should have a written agreement transferring ownership from any person creating assets for your brand or company. This is important because written agreements help clarify ownership of creative assets. Without such an agreement, the author or creator of the asset may still be seen as the owner, while your brand may only be treated as having a license to use it. This can become a problem later, especially when the brand begins to grow commercially.

Creative assets may include 2D or 3D artworks, sound recordings, scripts, photographs, video recordings, logos, graphics and other brand materials. Having a written agreement helps ensure that the rights are properly transferred and that your brand has commercial control over the assets.

3. Protect Creative Expressions with Copyright Law

In addition to trademark protection, copyright protection is also important. Copyright can cover source codes, object codes, visual elements, audio assets, scripts and other creative expressions. This is especially important for game publishers and developers because copyright protects the expression of an idea. It helps ensure that the creator or rights holder benefits from the commercial exploitation of that work.

In Nigeria, the body responsible for copyright matters is the Nigerian Copyright Commission. It is important to note that a work does not always have to be registered before it receives copyright protection, but registration provides stronger evidence of ownership.

4. Register Your Entity Properly

Esports stakeholders should also consider registering their entities under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020. Recognized forms of organization under CAMA are companies, incorporated trustees, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships and business names. The body responsible for company registration in Nigeria is the Corporate Affairs Commission. 

The type of entity you choose depends on your objectives in the industry. Beyond legal recognition, registration helps protect assets, manage liability, and is a sign to fellow stakeholders that you are taking the business seriously. Finally, with great recognition comes great responsibility; ensure that you comply with the CAC directives to avoid fines. 

5. Put Contracts in Writing

All agreements with staff, players, coaches, organizers, influencers, sponsors, and other stakeholders should be put in writing. These agreements should be properly drafted and reviewed by a legal practitioner to ensure that the intentions of all parties are clearly captured. A properly drafted contract can help prevent avoidable liabilities and reduce the risk of unenforceable clauses.

In an industry where partnerships, sponsorships, content rights, player representation and tournament obligations are becoming more important, contracts are not just formalities. They are protection.

Conclusion

This is a starter to-do list for any individual or company interested in the Nigerian esports industry. It provides a foundation for protecting resources, investments, creative work and business relationships. The industry is growing quickly, but growth without structure can create avoidable problems. For stakeholders who see esports as more than just a game, these steps are a good place to start.

Connect with the author:

LinkedIn: Joshua Tobechukwu Eseka

Instagram: Qotho_gram

Firm:

Instagram: PCN Sportiva LP

LinkedIn: PCN Sportiva LP

Tagged