PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY OF THE INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE FEDERATION OF EUROPE (ISFE)

The interactive software industry, representing the publishers of video games, is the fastest growing sector of the European content industry, with consumer spending estimated at 16 billion € in 2011, out of a global market of 60 billion €.

The Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) was established in 1998 to represent the interests of the sector towards the EU and international institutions. Initially founded by the national interactive software trade associations in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Netherlands, ISFE now includes any company representing the industry within the 28 Member States plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Today, ISFE membership comprises 11 major publishers of interactive software and 16 trade associations throughout Europe.

ISFE helps the video games industry reach its full potential throughout Europe and worldwide by securing effective legislation to protect intellectual property rights, adequate enforcement of such legislation and unrestricted access to markets, both off-line and on-line.
From the outset, ISFE has been spreading the word on its members’ positions regarding the main political and legal initiatives of European and international institutions in fields such as intellectual property, e-commerce, fight against piracy, WTO negotiations, protection of minors and the environment. An expanded ISFE membership has allowed for increased lobbying in those areas, together with these specific goals:

• European Awareness: Creating improved awareness of the interactive software industry as a key player in the European economy and as a solid vector of European culture.
• Minor Protection and Consumer Information: Confirming the role of the industry as a responsible one by continuously improving and repeating our messages inform European consumers about the content of the products and their appropriateness for different age categories.
• Research and Market Data: Establishing a source of information for its members and the media about industry data and relevant legislative and technical developments through market research on consumer awareness, attitudes and trends and legitimate vs. pirate sales.
• Support for National Representation in all EU Countries: Cooperating closely with national trade associations to enable the best possible representation of the industry at national level in all European countries and provides best practices and interaction across borders.
• Fight Against Piracy: Gathering and distributing information about illicit sharing, production and trade while supporting the fight against piracy with training and legal advice.

Members: Activision Blizzard; AdeSe (Spain); AESVI (Italy); AHP (Czech Republic and Slovakia); BEA (Belgium); BIU (Germany); Disney Interactive; Electronic Arts; FIGMA (Finland); Games Ireland; Konami; MDTS (Sweden); Microsoft; MUF (Denmark); Nitendo; NSM (Norway); NVPI (Netherlands); OVUS (Austria); SEGA; SELL (France); SIEA  (Switzerland); Sony (SCEE); SPIDOR (Poland); Square ENIX; Take2 Interactive; Ubisoft; UKIE (UK).