VIRTUAL TABLETOP EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY CONSULTANT: VTT TESTIFYING CONSULTING SERVICES

Per top virtual tabletop expert witness testimony consulting pros and testifying consultants, as the popularity of VTT services for role-playing games (RPGs) continues to rise, legal challenges are becoming more common in the growing sector. And of course so too do the best virtual tabletop expert witness advisors weigh in on legal matters related to software, content, and intellectual property. Research is typically needed in cases involving copyright infringement, licensing disputes, and issues related to user-generated content.

1. Intellectual Property and Copyright Infringement – Leading VTT services host user-generated content, which can lead to potential copyright disputes. A virtual tabletop expert witness testifies in cases where third-party content, such as maps, characters, or music, has been used without proper licensing. SMEs provide expertise on the scope of copyright law and how it applies to content shared on VTT solutions, helping to resolve issues of unauthorized use.
2. Software Licensing and Terms of Service Disputes – Services tend to be involved in licensing agreements with game developers, artists, and third-party vendors. A future case might involve disputes over terms of service, payment structures, or usage rights. A virtual tabletop expert witness in the area would help clarify the terms of such agreements, ensuring that all parties understand their obligations and rights. Consultants would also analyze whether VTT offerings have complied with licensing terms.
3. Data Privacy and Security Breaches – With many VTT services collecting user data, future cases may arise involving data privacy or security breaches. A virtual tabletop expert witness could be called to testify on the service’s data protection practices and assess whether it met industry standards for user security. Leaders would evaluate the offering’s adherence to privacy laws like GDPR or CCPA and the potential risks to user data.
4. User-Generated Content and Platform Liability – A service might face legal challenges related to content that users create and share, such as inappropriate materials or offensive content. And so a virtual tabletop expert witness would analyze the company’s responsibility for monitoring and moderating user-generated content, as well as its legal liabilities under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects platforms from certain types of content liability.
5. Competition and Antitrust Issues – As services grow in popularity, they could become the subject of antitrust cases. If a dominant player in the market engages in unfair business practices, such as exclusive agreements with content creators or restrictive platform policies, a virtual tabletop expert witness could be involved to assess the competitive landscape. Leaders would provide insight into whether such actions stifle competition and harm the industry.

25 Products Covered by a Virtual Tabletop Expert Witness

1. Roll20
2. Foundry Virtual Tabletop
3. Fantasy Grounds
4. D20Pro
5. Owlbear Rodeo
6. Astral TableTop
7. Tabletopia
8. MapTool
9. DungeonFog
10. Incarnate
11. Roll20 Marketplace (digital assets)
12. D&D Beyond
13. Forge VTT
14. TaleSpire
15. The Virtual Tabletop Toolkit
16. Alchemy RPG
17. VTT Maps & Assets (such as Paizo’s assets)
18. Beyond Tabletop
19. R20 Dice Roller
20. Monolith (3D VTT assets)
21. Discord (used for VTT communication)
22. Roll20 Pro (premium features)
23. GameMaster Vault (VTT maps)
24. World Anvil (integrated with VTTs)
25. Dicey Dungeon (digital dice platforms)

In future legal cases, a virtual tabletop expert witness brings critical knowledge of the software, gaming mechanics, intellectual property issues, and community standards that are at the core of the VTT industry. Whether handling copyright disputes, licensing conflicts, or data privacy issues, providers help resolve challenges that arise in this rapidly growing space.