During the public hearing at the Education, Culture and Sport Commission (EC) last Thursday, industry officials argued that electronic sports cannot be classified as “traditional” football and volleyball sports.
Another problem pointed out by this sector is the exclusion of games considered violent from electronic sports, would result in the non-recognition of virtual athletes who compete in championships based on popular games like Counter-Strike and Rainbow Six. As the current text of the proposal suggests, games with violent content of a sexual nature, which propagates a message of hatred, prejudice or discrimination or that advocates drug use should not be considered electronic sports.
Market
Endorsed by the committee in July, the proposal was about to be submitted to the House of Representatives, but returned to the committee's debate at the request of Senator Leila Barros (PSB-DF). Both the EC and the Science and Technology Commission (CCT) will consider a new amendment to the text. For Leila, who has already anticipated a new hearing on the subject on the 21st, the debate made clear that it is possible to improve the proposal.
"We open the House for dialogue, we want to dialogue with all players. I understand that we have a legitimate concern [regarding violence], but today we understand the importance of the market," she said.
A former professional volleyball athlete, the senator even got involved in a controversy with the gamer community after taking a stand against recognizing eSports as a sport during the vote on the EC proposal. But it received industry recognition at the hearing on Thursday.
"Let it be noted that you are helping our scenario. The movement you are doing is very important. We are on your side," said Leo de Biase, former professional player and current CEO of BBL e- SPORTS.
Intellectual property
Mario Marconino of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) - an organization representing 40 of the world's largest video game companies - reported on how electronic sports regulation works in other countries. According to him, most of the European Union has classified eSports in a different category from traditional sports. In the opposite direction, Russia framed these competitions and disputes in the same general sports law, which he said brought about problems with intellectual property.
"eSports is based on intellectual property rights. Whoever develops a game has the right. It's the way to develop and innovate. It doesn't need a federation. Why think about inserting it into the context of a national sports system that everyone knows have its problems?" he asked.
In the Portal e-Cidadania, most Internet users disapprove the proposal, although without much difference. About 7,500 votes against the project were recorded against 5,800 in favor of the regulation under the current terms.
Source: GMB/ Agência Senado
