Ryan Morrison
Ryan Morrison, also known as Video Game Attorney, is an American attorney and e-sports agent who specializes in law of interest to fans of video games and Internet culture. He is the CEO and founder of Evolved Talent Agency and one of the founding partners of Morrison Rothman LLP. On average, Morrison represents over 200 clients.[1] Morrison has been described by Kotaku as a "hero" to video game developers, "particularly if they’re fighting against the bullies of the games industry and feel overwhelmed".[2] Morrison has also helped esports players and their teams revamp deals with major gaming organizations.[3]
Early life and education
Morrison was born in Huntington Station, New York, to Laurie and Patrick Morrison. Morrison worked full-time during high school, saving up money to attend college. Once there, his father committed identity theft against both Morrison and his grandmother, resulting in Morrison having to drop out of college.[4][5]
In law school, Morrison worked with Professors Michelle Zierler and Jethro Leiberman to bring attention to the injustice surrounding the West Memphis Three by writing various articles and organizing the first live interview with Damien Echols once he was released from death row.[6]
Social media usage and views
Morrison's habit of participating in Reddit has been analyzed as a business marketing strategy.[7] He advocates for independent developers of popular Internet media and video games.[8]
Morrison became a center of attention in the React World controversy when the Reddit community and others began to call on him for his legal insights on copyright and his engagement in copyright activism.[9] His participation in the issue was an important factor in the resolution of the issue in favor of the activists.[10]
In 2020, the Esports Bar Association removed Morrison from his positions as vice president and board member following misconduct reports.[11]
In 2021, in response to streamer xQc retaining Morrison, h3h3Productions representatives commented that they retained Morrison for reasons which they felt were comparable, and that they do not recommend his service.[12][13]
References
- ^ smith, noag. "Inside 'contract hell': Esports players say predatory contracts run 'rampant'". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Meet Ryan Morrison, The Video Game Lawyer We Need Right Now". Kotaku Australia. 2014-06-24. Archived from the original on June 30, 2014. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
- ^ Morrison, Ryan (2019-05-30). "Why Tfue's Lawsuit Is Esports' Wake-Up Call to Revamp Deals (Guest Column)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
- ^ "FindLaw's New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division case and opinions". Findlaw. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
- ^ "Home | Mortgage Daily". 2022-09-07. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
- ^ Sherwin, Richard (2012-12-24), Devil's Advocate: The Fight to Free Damien Echols, retrieved 2022-10-07
- ^ GroupSRC (2016). "How a Video Game Attorney Used AMAs to Win Big on Reddit". marketersguidetoreddit.com. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
- ^ Messner, Steve (16 March 2016). "Meet the Video Game Attorney Who Fights for Independent Developers". Motherboard. Vice. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
- ^ Ohlheiser, Abby (2 February 2016). "The Fine Brothers thought they had found the future of YouTube. They were wrong". Washington Post. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
- ^ Woo, Michelle (2 February 2016). "How an Attorney On Reddit Helped Fight the Fine Bros Trademark Quest—And Won". upvotebro.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
- ^ Chen, Patrik (25 June 2020). "Esports Bar Association removes Ryan Morrison after allegations of misconduct - News". eSports.com.
- ^ Education, Communication (2 August 2021). ""He is a horrible attorney:" H3H3 Productions criticizes xQc's lawyer VideoGameAttorney". InvenGlobal. Archived from the original on April 19, 2022.
- ^ Kemp, Chadley (August 3, 2021). "H3H3 slams xQc attorney in DMCA case: "He royally screwed us."". Ginx TV. Retrieved October 6, 2023.