At the event on May 12, 2022 at the Esport Factory Osnabrück, the topic of virtual items in computer games was discussed in more detail. The event focused on the civil law aspects relating to such items, the economic and tax law considerations, criminal law issues, as well as the risk to and the protection of minors.

Date: Thursday, May 12, 2022 

Venue: eSport Factory,  Sandforter Str. 65, 49086 Osnabrück

Link to the conference proceedings of the University of Vienna (including videos)



Virtual items from a civil law perspective (Link to Video)

Prof. Dr. Martin Maties (University of Augsburg, Head of the FeSR) explains in his presentation the legal classification of virtual objects. The consequences of the legal classification for the acquisition, problems with the acquisition and the sale as well as problems with the protection against third parties are also described. Finally, problems relating to gambling law and the protection of minors are discussed.

Virtual items in computer games - An evaluation from the perspective of Esports (Discussion) (Link to Video)

Marius Loewe (1. Vice President of the Landesverband for E-Sport NRW), Nepomuk Nothelfer (Cofounder of the FeSR), Nicolas Reber (Founder & CEO of Gamer Legion) and Tim "Latka" Schwartmann (SK Gaming) discuss the impact of virtual items on Esports. Initially, the equal opportunities of players in FIFA will be discussed and the impact of in-game purchases in this regard. Also, the classification of skins in professional gaming and their influence on the gameplay will be explained, among other topics. The discussion will be led by Marvin Rohmann (maze GmbH).

The sale of items and skins - A matter for the tax authorities? (Link to Video)

Prof. Dr. Christian Jahndorf (HLB Schumacher Hallermann/ Institute for Tax Law, University of Münster) and Dr. Lennart Brüggemann (HLB Schumacher Hallermann) explain in a dialogue the income tax side of the sale of items and skins. Virtual items, such as the aforementioned items and skins, can not only be won and used in-game in various game titles, but are also valuable objects, sometimes of considerable amount, which can be monetized on general platforms or platforms designed specifically for this purpose.

Criminal law enforcement in the virtual world (Link to Video)

Prof. Dr. Ken Eckstein (University of Bochum) starts his presentation by describing the virtual world of online games and its risks. He then presents the criminal law protection of virtual items, including the legal nature of these from a criminal law perspective and various relevant criminal offenses. Finally, he discusses the manipulation of Esports competitions as well as offences of utterance in the context of online games, more specifically the offence of defamation. The presentation will be moderated by Dr. Lennart Brüggemann (HLB Schumacher Hallermann).

Virtual items as a business model - A model to the detriment of minors? (Discussion) (Link to Video)

Marius Loewe (1. Vice President of the Landesverband for E-Sport NRW), Dr. Kai W. Müller (Ambulance for Gambling Addiction, Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy of the University Medicine Mainz), Timo Schöber (Esports Expert & Author), Niklas Timmermann (Founder & CEO, Skillshot Consulting GmbH) and Martin Vornweg-Brückner (Journalist, DER SPIEGEL) examine the different sides of the business model with virtual objects in a panel as experts from different fields. The focus is on the risks and dangers arising from online gambling, such as lootboxes, for young people. Martin Vornweg-Brückner starts the conversation with his previous research results in this area. The discussion will be led by Prof. Dr. Martin Maties (University of Augsburg, Head of the FeSR).