The International Games and ESports Tribunal (IGET) and the RIOT Games Dispute Resolution Initiative
THE INTERNATIONAL GAMES & ESPORTS TRIBUNAL
&
RIOT GAMES DISPUTE RESOLUTION INITIATIVE
1.
Introduction
The International Games and Esports Tribunal (IGET) is an independent, not-for-profit body that resolves disputes within the global video game and esports industries. Established by the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), IGET offers mediation and arbitration services for issues related to contracts, intellectual property, economics, and competition. Its mission is to provide a transparent, fair, and accessible process for resolving conflicts while supporting industry growth.
2.
Purpose
Mediation and arbitration in gaming and esports provide faster, cost-effective, and confidential alternatives to court, helping resolve disputes like commercial and IP issues through expert-led processes. IGET offers specialized services including mediation, binding arbitration, and expert panels to ensure fair and informed resolutions tailored to the industry's needs.
3. Prospective Parties
Esports
tournament organizers, sponsors, professional players, video game developers
and publishers, streaming platforms.
Disputes are
typically addressed either through a pre-existing IGET mediation or arbitration
clause in a contract, or by agreeing to use IGET when a dispute arises.
4. Model Clause
A combination
of Mediation and Arbitration
“Any commercial dispute,
controversy or claim arising under, out of or relating to this contract and any
subsequent amendments of this contract, including, without limitation, its
formation, validity, binding effect, interpretation, performance, breach or
termination, as well as non-contractual claims, shall be submitted to the
International Games and Esports Tribunal (IGET) for mediation in accordance
with the WIPO Mediation Rules. To the extent possible, mediator candidates
shall be drawn from the WIPO-IGET Panel of Experts. The place of mediation
shall be [specify place]. The language to be used in the mediation
shall be [specify language]. If, and to the extent that, any such
dispute, controversy or claim has not been settled pursuant to the mediation
within [60][90] days of the commencement of the mediation, it
shall, upon the filing of a Request for Arbitration by either party, be
referred to the IGET and finally determined by arbitration in accordance with
the WIPO Expedited Arbitration Rules. Alternatively, if, before the expiration
of the said period of [60][90] days, either party fails to
participate or to continue to participate in the mediation, the dispute,
controversy or claim shall, upon the filing of a Request for Arbitration by the
other party, be referred to and finally determined by arbitration in accordance
with the WIPO Expedited Arbitration Rules. Arbitrator candidates shall be drawn
from the WIPO-IGET Panel of Experts. The place of arbitration shall be [specify
place]. The language to be used in the arbitral proceedings shall be [specify
language]. The dispute, controversy or claim referred to arbitration shall
be decided in accordance with the law of [specify jurisdiction].”
5. Exclusive Jurisdiction of Tribunal
The
International Games and Esports Tribunal (IGET) serves as the sole authority
for hearing appeals against decisions or sanctions issued by the Esports
Integrity Commission (ESIC). All appeals are processed under IGET’s established
alternative dispute resolution (ADR) framework, which includes both mediation
and arbitration options.
6. ESIC
Established in
2016, ESIC was created to take responsibility for preventing, investigating,
and prosecuting all forms of cheating in esports, including but not limited to
match-fixing and doping.
ESIC's mission
is to uphold the integrity of esports by serving as the recognized authority
for addressing and combating misconduct. This includes proactively managing
threats such as match manipulation and doping through effective disruption,
investigation, and enforcement.
ESIC aims to bring the industry together under a common set of values and a unified vision to combat corruption in all its forms. These values underpin the ESIC Integrity Program. While member organizations may compete commercially, they stand united in their commitment to safeguarding the sport. Each member has formally agreed to these principles, and ESIC is committed to enforcing them through its established Codes and Procedures.
7. Appeal Procedure
All ESIC decisions may be appealed exclusively through IGET, following the steps outlined below:
Notice of Appeal
A party wishing to contest an ESIC decision must submit a written notice of appeal to IGET within 48 hours of receiving the sanction or decision. The notice must clearly outline the grounds for the appeal and include any supporting documentation.
Acknowledgment and Initial Review
IGET will confirm receipt of the appeal within 48 hours. A preliminary assessment will then be conducted to determine whether the appeal is eligible to proceed. If any issues are identified, the participant will be informed and given 48 hours to address and correct them.
Request for Formal Hearing
Participants may request a formal in-person or virtual hearing only under the following conditions:
Written Request
A separate written request for a formal hearing must be submitted at the same time as the initial notice of appeal.
Tribunal Approval
The request is subject to approval by the appointed tribunal member(s), who have sole discretion to grant or deny it.
Hearing Procedure
If the request is approved, the appeal will proceed under IGET’s standard arbitration track and be conducted in accordance with its Arbitration Rules and Procedures. The format, schedule, and conduct of the hearing will be determined by either a sole arbitrator or a panel of three arbitrators appointed to adjudicate the case.
8. Scope and Authority of the Arbitral Tribunal Under IGET Rules
De Novo Review
The arbitral tribunal will hear the appeal as a de novo review, meaning it will reassess the case from the beginning, independent of the findings or conclusions reached in ESIC’s original decision.
Sanction Modification
The tribunal has the authority to affirm, amend, or reverse the initial decision. This includes the ability to increase or reduce any sanctions, as long as the final outcome falls within the sanctioning limits set by ESIC’s Code or Policy.
Costs and Fees
If the tribunal determines that the appeal was made in bad faith or was frivolous, it may require the appealing party to cover the costs associated with the appeal, including legal and procedural expenses.
Finality of IGET Arbitral Tribunal’s Decisions
The decision issued by the arbitral tribunal under the IGET Rules is conclusive and binding, with no further remedies available to either party, except as specifically permitted by IGET’s Arbitration Rules or applicable law.
Waiver of Appeal Rights
Parties who accept ESIC’s initial sanction through an early resolution process or fail to file a timely appeal notice are considered to have forfeited their appeal rights. No further appeal is allowed unless explicitly authorized under IGET’s jurisdictional exceptions.
9. Publication and Notification
All awards will be provided in writing to the Parties and ESIC. A de-identified version of the award may be published to promote transparency, in accordance with applicable confidentiality regulations
10. Fees of IGET
During IGET’s initial launch phase, service fees will be assessed individually
based on the nature and complexity of each case. Upon submission of an
application, one will receive a customized fee schedule outlining the
anticipated costs, ensuring full transparency aligned with the chosen
resolution process and the resources involved. All costs will be clearly
communicated and agreed upon before any proceedings begin.
11. Riot Games EMEA Esports Ecosystem with Dispute Resolution Initiative
Riot Games is strengthening its esports framework in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region by introducing a Dispute Resolution system ahead of the 2025 esports season. This independent arbitration body, named the Dispute Resolution for Riot Games’ Esports (EMEA), will address contractual and financial disputes within professional and semi-professional leagues, supporting players, coaches, and teams in the League of Legends (LoL) Esports and VALORANT Esports ecosystems. The initiative aims to elevate professionalism, ensure contractual stability, and uphold integrity across Riot Games’ EMEA esports operations.
To ensure fairness, efficiency, and accessibility, Riot Games has appointed Martens, a European law firm specializing in sports and dispute resolution, as the secretariat for the Dispute Resolution. Martens will oversee administration and appoint independent arbitrators to adjudicate cases, maintaining impartiality from Riot Games.
Valérie Horyna, EMEA Esports Rules & Compliance Manager at Riot Games, added, “As esports evolves, ensuring contractual stability and integrity is increasingly critical. Resolving disputes in EMEA has been challenging due to diverse legal frameworks across countries. This platform simplifies access to resolution for our stakeholders.”
Effective immediately, players, coaches, and teams can
utilize the Dispute Resolution for issues such as unpaid salaries, bonuses,
prize money, and transfer disputes.
Sources:
ii.
https://www.wipo.int/amc/en/center/specific-sectors/videogames/iget.html
iv.
https://competitiveops.riotgames.com/en-US/dispute-resolution-emea
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