Sean F. Kane
Sean F. Kane helps shape the business and legal landscape of the video game industry.
As Co-Chair of Frankfurt Kurnit’s Interactive Entertainment Group, he represents developers, publishers, platforms, and content creators driving the future of interactive entertainment.
For more than two decades, Sean has guided some of the industry’s most innovative companies through complex deals involving game development, publishing, licensing, and distribution across console, PC, mobile, and online platforms. His clients range from independent studios launching their first titles to major global publishers expanding iconic franchises. Whether negotiating high-value publishing agreements or advising on the legal frameworks behind virtual economies, esports, or user-generated content, Sean combines deep industry insight with practical legal strategy to help clients turn creative visions into successful, compliant products.
Sean is known for helping clients navigate cutting-edge issues at the intersection of law, technology, and gameplay — from IP protection, governmental regulation, and content monetization to advertising, co-branding, and player engagement models. He brings a solutions-oriented approach that prioritizes business goals while mitigating legal risk, making him a trusted advisor for both established and emerging players in the video gaming ecosystem.
Recognized globally for his work, Sean was inducted into the Games Industry Law Summit “Hall of Fame” in 2024 for his contributions to video game legal industry. He has been repeatedly named to The Legal 500, Super Lawyers, and the Irish Legal 100, and has appeared on Variety’s Dealmakers Elite and The National Law Journal’s Trailblazers lists for Sports, Gaming, and Entertainment Law.
A respected thought leader, Sean frequently speaks at major industry events such as the Game Developers Conference (GDC), Games Industry Law Summit, Video Game Bar Association, Digital Hollywood, and the American Bar Association, and is often quoted in the media on legal trends affecting interactive entertainment. His commentary has even been cited by the Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection at the agency’s video game workshop. He is co-author of Video Game Law: Everything You Need to Know About Legal and Business Issues in the Game Industry (Taylor & Francis/CRC Press) and a prolific writer on Intellectual Property, video games, virtual property, and the evolving law of digital content.
Sean is a founding member and former President of the Video Game Bar Association and has led multiple committees within the American Bar Association focused on games and virtual worlds. Before joining Frankfurt Kurnit, he founded and chaired the Interactive Entertainment Practice at Kane & Associates LLC and served as special counsel at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.
He is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Areas of Expertise
Recent Recognition
Games Industry Law Summit’s “Hall of Fame” (2024)
New York-area “Super Lawyer” in Interactive Entertainment, Intellectual Property, and Technology Transactions (2023-2025)
The National Law Journal’s Trailblazers in Sports/Gaming/Entertainment Law (2022)
Irish Legal 100 (2019 – 2024)
The Legal 500 (2019, 2023, 2024)
Variety Dealmakers Elite New York (2017)
Variety Legal Impact Report (2016)
Education
Villanova University (B.A., 1995)
Fordham University School of Law (J.D., 1998)
Contact
- P 212.705.4845
- F 347.438.2146
- skane@fkks.com
Events
Creative Liberty vs Predictable Frameworks
02.19.26
Sean F. Kane speaks on the panel "Creative Liberty vs Predictable Frankworks" at Entertain AI summit in Montreal.
Making the Future: Challenges and Opportunities in Generative AI Video
10.07.25
Sean F. Kane moderates a panel discussion during "Making the Future: Challenges and Opportunities in Generative AI Video," produced by our client Genvid Entertainment. The event will be taking place at Frankfurt Kurnit's New York City office in the Liberty Room. Register here.
More Than Just a Game Conference London 2025
05.08.25
Sean F. Kane and Dorian Slater Thomas chair and speak at the 10th annual More Than Just a Game Conference in London. Details here.
Approaching Legal and Business Issues Along the Creative Path
04.02.25
Sean F. Kane is a panelist for the session, "Approaching Legal and Business Issues Along the Creative Path" at the Zagarolo Game City: Innovation Day in Rome, Italy. Details here.
Games Industry Law Summit On Tour III
04.01.25
S. Gregory Boyd and Sean F. Kane are presenting at the Games Industry Law Summit: On Tour III conference in Rome, Italy. Details here.
How to Play the Game: Legal Developments in Games (2025)
03.20.25
S. Gregory Boyd and Sean F. Kane host Frankfurt Kurnit’s 2025 annual Interactive Entertainment CLE, “How to Play the Game: Legal Developments in Games,” in San Francisco at SFMOMA.
Recreating Reality: Examining Freedom of Expression in Video Game Development
12.18.24
Sean Kane is a speaker for the Los Angeles Copyright Society online panel discussion, "Recreating Reality: Examining Freedom of Expression in Video Game Development."
Loot Boxes, Gambling & Online Marketplaces
09.17.24
Sean F. Kane and Michael Ling are speakers for the session, "Loot Boxes, Gambling & Online Marketplaces" during a webinar hosted by NetEase Games.
Different Approaches to Multijurisdictional Disputes in Video Games
05.20.24
Sean F. Kane is a panelist during the sessions, "Different Approaches to Multijurisdictional Disputes in Video Games" and "Regulatory in Video Games" at the 2024 Digital Dragons Conference in Kraków Poland. Details here.
On Tour II: Games Industry Law Summit 2024
04.17.24
Gregory Boyd, Sean F. Kane, Emma C. Smizer, and Dorian Slater Thomas are speakers at the On Tour II: Games Industry Law Summit 2024 in Limassol. Details here.
2024 D.I.C.E Summit
02.15.24
Sean F. Kane leads the roundtable discussion, “Hey, That Robot Stole My Copyright!: Legal Issues in AI Game Development” at the 2024 D.I.C.E Summit in Las Vegas.
Video Game Law Conference Tokyo 2023
11.02.23
Sean F. Kane is a panelist during the session, “Negotiating Commercial Contracts” at the Video Game Law Conference Tokyo. Details here.
VGBA Summit Northwest
10.05.23
Sean F. Kane speaks at the VGBA Summit Northwest in Seattle. Details here.
Games Industry Law Summit Unpacked 2023
05.11.23
Sean F. Kane is a panelist during the “Advertising” session at the Games Industry Law Summit Unpacked in Warsaw. Details here.
Reboot Develop Blue 2023
04.25.23
Sean F. Kane speaks on the legal track at the Reboot Develop Blue Conference in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
More Than Just a Game Conference London 2023
04.20.23
Sean F. Kane moderates the panel “User-generated Content” at Queen Mary University of London's More Than Just a Game conference.
2023 D.I.C.E Summit
02.23.23
Sean F. Kane leads the roundtable discussion, “Legal Issues in Games in a Metaversal Market” at the 2023 D.I.C.E Summit in Las Vegas.
Fordham Media & Entertainment Law Symposium 2023
01.20.23
Sean F. Kane is on the panel, "Transmedia Convergence: Licensing IP from and for Literature, Film, Podcasts, and Games" at the Fordham Media & Entertainment Law Symposium. Register here.
Gregory Boyd and Sean F. Kane at UCLA Law
01.05.23
Gregory Boyd and Sean F. Kane speak to a video game law class at UCLA Law about publishing, development and middleware agreements.
METAVERSE: Legal Issues in Games in a Metaversal Market
10.25.22
Sean F. Kane presents, “METAVERSE: Legal Issues in Games in a Metaversal Market” at Harvard Law School.
VGBA Summit Northwest | Fireside Chat: Insurance & Games
10.18.22
Sean F. Kane presents, “Insurance & Games” during a Fireside Chat at the Video Game Bar Association Summit in Seattle.
Games Industry Law Summit 2022
09.09.22
Sean F. Kane moderates the culture panel, “Games Business vs Film Business Approach” during the Games Industry Summit in Vilnius.
Fordham University School of Law Panel
10.27.21
Sean F. Kane speaks to students and recent grads on, Exploring Small to Midsize Law Firms during a virtual panel discussion hosted by Fordham University School of Law.
More Than Fun and Games: The Legal Ethics of Video Game Lawyers
04.22.21
Sean F. Kane presents, "More Than Fun and Games: The Legal Ethics of Video Game Lawyers" during a webinar for the Video Game Bar Association.
Epic vs. Apple, Who Will Win and Why?
02.10.21
Sean F. Kane is on D.I.C.E. conversations panel "Epic vs. Apple, Who Will Win and Why?" discussing the claims made by Epic in its lawsuit against Apple. More information here.
Into the Metaverse: Virtual Worlds and the Law
10.27.20
Sean F. Kane presents "Into the Metaverse: Virtual Worlds and the Law" during a webinar for the Entertainment Software Association.
Game Developers Conference 2020
03.18.20
Sean Kane presents “The World is Watching: Streaming in the Age of Trust & Safety” during a panel at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.
News
Irish Legal 100 – 2025 Edition
11.10.25
Irish Legal 100 recognizes Catherine Farrelly and Sean Kane in their 2025 edition. The list recognizes distinguished legal professionals of Irish heritage.
39 Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named to New York Metro Super Lawyers List for 2025
10.30.25
This list inlcudes: S. Gregory Boyd, Christopher Chase, Marcie Cleary, Victoria Cook, Lisa Davis, Caren Decter, Catherine Farrelly, Melissa Georges, /people/hayden-goldblatt/Hayden Goldblatt, Jeffery Greenbaum, John Harris, Richard Heller, Richard Hofstetter, Nicole Hyland, Sean Kane,Candice Kersh, Richard Maltz, Jeffrey Marks, Kimberly Maynard, Gavin McElroy, Mark Merriman, Ronald Minkoff, Brian Murphy, Edward Rosenthal, Terri Seligman, Barbara Shiers, Wendy Stryker, Hannah Taylor, Linda Wank, S. Jean Ward, Michael Williams, and Maura Wogan.
Additionally, Aaron Deitsch, Christina Jenkins, Jesse Klinger, Khasim Lockhart, Jordyn Milewski, Katelyn Patton, and Molly Rothschild are listed as Rising Stars.
Vegas Lights, Industry Nights, and the Future of Games
03.17.25
DICE quotes Sean F. Kane on the legal implications of generative AI in video games, including intellectual property uncertainty, privacy and data risks, and shifting platform policies.
Understanding Interactive Entertainment
12.30.24
Games Industry Law Summit quotes S. Gregory Boyd and Sean F. Kane on two decades shaping video game law. The discussion covers key insights on industry evolution and emerging legal challenges.
Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named to New York Metro Super Lawyers List for 2024
10.24.24
Super Lawyers magazine lists 42 attorneys in its 2024 edition.
Irish Legal 100 – 2024 Edition
10.17.24
Irish Legal 100 recognizes Catherine Farrelly and Sean Kane in their 2024 edition. The list recognizes distinguished legal professionals of Irish heritage.
Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500 2024
06.24.24
The Legal 500 praises four of our practice groups in 2024: Advertising & Marketing, Media & Entertainment, Advertising & Marketing (Litigation), and Cyber Law (Data Privacy & Data Protection). The London-based directory spotlighted thirty of our attorneys individually.
Frankfurt Kurnit Partners with the Entertainment Software Rating Board’s Privacy Certified Program
04.01.24
Frankfurt Kurnit is pleased to announce that its Interactive Entertainment and Data Strategy, Privacy & Security Groups are partnering with the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) to enhance cooperation between ESRB’s Privacy Certified program and the firm. ESRB Privacy Certified assists companies in the video game and toy industries in implementing and maintaining lawful, transparent, and responsible data collection and privacy policies, as well as practices for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information and data. In 2001, the Federal Trade Commission approved ESRB Privacy Certified to serve as one of six Safe Harbor programs, overseeing its members’ compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
Irish Legal 100 – 2023 Edition
11.03.23
Irish Legal 100 named Catherine Farrelly and Sean Kane to their list for 2023. The list recognizes distinguished legal professionals of Irish heritage.
Frankfurt Kurnit Supports The Strong National Museum of Play
10.05.23
Frankfurt Kurnit is pleased to announce that it is partnering with The Strong National Museum of Play to help support The Strong’s educational mission and its recent capital expansion showcasing new exhibits on the history, business, and law of video games.
39 Frankfurt Kurnit Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers New York Metro List for 2023
09.14.23
Super Lawyers magazine lists 39 Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 2023 NY-metro edition.
Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500 2023
06.07.23
The Legal 500 once again praises Frankfurt Kurnit practice groups and attorneys in the 2023 edition of their United States guide.
A Lawyer’s View of Gaming’s AI and Regulatory Challenges
05.11.23
Sean F. Kane is interviewed by VentureBeat on generative AI, developments in the gaming industry, and the accompanying legal implications.
Irish Legal 100 – 2022 Edition
11.23.22
Irish Legal 100 named Catherine Farrelly and Sean Kane to their list for 2022.
The National Law Journal’s Trailblazers in Sports/Gaming/Entertainment Law 2022
11.01.22
S. Gregory Boyd, Sean F. Kane, Frances Jensen, and Dorian Slater Thomas are named to The National Law Journal’s Trailblazers in Sports/Gaming/Entertainment Law list.
Megadeals Roil Video Game Worker Unionization Efforts
03.11.22
The Hollywood Reporter quotes Sean Kane on the labor movement within the video game industry.
Decoding the Latest Wave of Video Game Cheat Cases
02.25.22
Law360 quotes Sean Kane on cheating lawsuits filed by video game makers against websites that sell cheat tools for players to gain unfair advantages in games.
Ex-Blizzard Chief Mike Morhaime: To the Blizzard Women…I am extremely sorry that I failed you
07.26.21
GamesBeat quotes Sean Kane on the lawsuit filed against Activision Blizzard by a California state agency.
Fordham Law Class Notes: January 2021
02.22.21
The Insider, Fordham Law’s alumni newsletter includes Sean Kane’s recognition in the Irish Legal 100.
Irish Legal 100 – 2020 Edition
12.09.20
Irish Legal 100 named Catherine Farrelly and Sean Kane to their list for 2020.
FTC Video Game Loot Box Workshop
08.17.20
The Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection cites Sean Kane’s remarks on Loot Boxes.
From Music Star To Avatar: Tech-Savvy Lawyers Share Tips For Negotiating Artist Appearances In Video Games
07.24.20
Billboard quotes Sean Kane on in-game concerts performed by popular music artists. (Behind paywall)
Frankfurt Kurnit in The Legal 500 2020
06.23.20
The Legal 500 praises three of our practice groups: Marketing and Advertising; Media and Entertainment; and Cyber Law (Data Privacy and Data Protection). The London-based directory spotlighted 15 of our attorneys individually: Victoria Cook, Jeremy Goldman, Richard Heller, Andrew Hurwitz, Sean Kane, Candice Kersh, Amy Nickin, Hannah Taylor and Michael Williams. Julie Murray is listed as a “Rising Star” in Media and Entertainment. Jeffrey A. Greenbaum, Brian Murphy and Terri Seligman are listed as “Leading Lawyers” in Advertising and Marketing. Christopher Chase is listed as a “Next Generation Partner” in Marketing and Advertising. Rick Kurnit is in the “Hall of Fame” for Advertising and Marketing.
Pandemic Pastime: Playing Esports Against Strangers, With Cash at Stake
04.22.20
The Wall Street Journal quotes Sean Kane on the legality of betting on one’s ability to win at competitive videogames.
From Fordham to Fortnite
01.24.20
Fordham Lawyer’s tech issue features alumni Sean Kane on his career as an interactive entertainment lawyer.