Abstract
General Background: The development of esports in Indonesia has increased the economic value of broadcasting rights and created new legal issues within the digital media environment. Specific Background: Esports competitions differ from conventional broadcasting because their distribution relies heavily on digital platforms, streaming services, and video game intellectual property. Knowledge Gap: Existing legal frameworks provide several bases for protecting broadcasting rights, but their application to esports remains unclear, particularly concerning the status of rights holders, digital platforms, enforcement mechanisms, and the legal relationship between game developers and tournament organizers. Aims: This study examines the regulation of esports broadcasting rights in Indonesia, identifies weaknesses in the available legal protection, and analyzes the legal implications and need for regulatory development. Results: Using normative legal research with statute and conceptual approaches, the study finds that esports broadcasting rights are addressed through the Copyright Law, Broadcasting Law, Electronic Information and Transactions Law, and Civil Code. However, these regulations remain fragmented and do not specifically accommodate the digital characteristics of esports. Legal protection is available through preventive and repressive mechanisms, but illegal restreaming, cross-jurisdictional violations, overlapping legal regimes, unclear platform responsibilities, and limited legal literacy remain challenges. Novelty: This study focuses on the specific legal characteristics of esports broadcasting and the interaction between intellectual property, broadcasting, contracts, and digital platforms. Implications: Harmonization and clarification of existing legal norms, technical regulatory guidance, licensing standards, and stronger cooperation among relevant stakeholders are needed to provide greater legal certainty.
Key Findings Highlights
Existing Indonesian legal instruments address several aspects of competition broadcasting, but their application remains fragmented.
Unlicensed restreaming, cross-border violations, and unclear platform responsibilities complicate legal enforcement.
Regulatory clarification, licensing standards, and stakeholder cooperation are identified as necessary measures for greater legal certainty.
Keywords : Broadcasting Rights, Esports Competitions, Digital Platforms, Legal Protection, Regulatory Harmonization