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Payments and Loyalty Program Issues for the Game Industry

Payments and Loyalty Program Issues for the Game Industry . Veronica McGregor November 2008. Agenda. How payments issues affect game development Where payments issues arise Crimes and fraud. Unclaimed. Gift Certificate. Property. Money Transmitter. Consumer Credit. Payments Laws.

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Payments and Loyalty Program Issues for the Game Industry

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  1. Payments and Loyalty Program Issues for the Game Industry Veronica McGregor November 2008

  2. Agenda • How payments issues affect game development • Where payments issues arise • Crimes and fraud

  3. Unclaimed Gift Certificate Property Money Transmitter Consumer Credit Payments Laws Payments Laws Money Service Electronic Business Funds Transfer Consumer Protection Banking

  4. Legal Issues with "Points" Programs • "Gift certificate" laws • Unfair and deceptive trade practices • Unclaimed property • Money transmission and stored value

  5. Legal and Regulatory Obligationsin Game "Points" Programs • Nature of the points • Nature of the game • Nature of the web site

  6. Nature of the Points • How does one obtain Points? • Bought – inherently more valuable • Earned – value dependent on time invested • Free – least valuable, most easily forfeited

  7. Nature of the Points • Do Points have any cash value?  • Can they be redeemed for actual real money or just virtual currency?  • Can the player get real goods or just virtual ones? • Can the Points be used outside the game?  • If so, how big is the universe in which the Points can be used?

  8. Nature of the Points • What happens to the Points if they are not used?  • Under certain state laws, unused Points may be subject to unclaimed property laws, which require reporting and remitting to the appropriate state • Can the Points expire? • Will there be any fee associated with use or non-use of the Points? • Will there be an actual plastic card or just an electronic version of the Points?

  9. Open loop vs. closed loop Expiration dates Fees Unclaimed property laws Gift Certificate Issues

  10. Nature of the Game • In what states will the game be available to players? • Will players have "accounts" associated with the game? • Will players be able to transfer "Points" to other players? • Will company have the user's name and address? • State of incorporation of the company?

  11. Nature of the Web Site • Where are disclosures? • Is everything clear and conspicuous?  • Are fees adequately disclosed and easy to understand? • Is there a dispute resolution process?

  12. Money Transmitter Issues • State money transmitter laws • Receiving money for the purpose of transmitting to someone else • Check seller laws • Selling payment instruments or issuing stored value (i.e. travelers checks or gift cards)

  13. Banking Issues • Where do you keep the money you collect? • If open-loop system, do you have a bank partner? • If you operate a virtual world, do you allow banks in that world?

  14. Money Laundering • Money laundering is a very real threat to gaming • New threats likely mean new regulation • If component of game is deemed to be a "money services business:" • It could be subject to the Patriot Act which requires detailed customer identification programs • If MSB would have registration and reporting obligations • If opening accounts or transacting with people from other countries may have to run OFAC screen

  15. Crime and Fraud • User fraud • Data security breach laws

  16. Developments and Trends • In 2007 new GC and UP laws enacted in: AR, CA, FL, IL, MN, MT, NV, NM, NC, OR, UT • Mobile payments and gaming converge when downloading a game to a handheld device (i.e. phone or handheld game device) • Rebate cards and Faigman v. AT&T Mobility LLC

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