California vs Activision Blizzard: A Legal Look (VL513)

"...the violations pled herein include claims for sex discrimination in terms and conditions of employment (including compensation, assignment, promotion, constructive discharge, termination); unlawful sexual harassment; retaliation; failure to prevent...and unequal pay."

- Department of Fair Housing and Employment (CA), complaint against Activision Blizzard

One of the world's biggest gaming publishers, Activision Blizzard, has been formally accused of maliciously and deliberately discriminating against women in virtually all aspects of their employment by the State of California.

In addition, the State has accused Activision personnel of sexual harassment, and of the Company's own knowledge and willful intent to permit such harassment.

We have a lot to talk about...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/NyerVVc2e98

#California #Activision #Lawsuit

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CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
03:17 How a DFEH (CA) Complaint Works
06:10 Setting the Groundwork (CA's Introduction)
11:18 Equal Pay: CA's Main Complaint (and Mistake)
16:45 "Cube Crawls" and Harassments
22:40 The CA Laws At Issue (Jury Instructions)
28:01 Prior Complaints and Mediations (Date Issues)
33:38 The Alleged Causes of Action
47:10 CA's Examples (Discrimination)
1:02:00 CA's Examples (Harassment)
1:10:37 Activision's Response
1:16:53 Conclusion

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Discussed in this episode:

"Activision Blizzard Sued by California Over Allegations of 'Frat Boy Culture' And Sexual Harassment"
IGN - July 21, 2021
https://www.ign.com/articles/activision-blizzard-sued-by-california

"Sure, since folks have asked..."
Twitter Thread - July 21, 2021 - Hoeg Law
https://twitter.com/HoegLaw/status/1418023515673014278

"California officials say a $10 million gender discrimination settlement by the 'League of Legends' creators isn't enough and calculated the game studio may owe $400 million"
Business Insider - January 21, 2021
https://www.businessinsider.com/california-officials-say-riot-games-could-owe-400-million-settlement-2020-1

DFEH (California) vs Activision Blizzard et al
Filed July 20, 2021
https://aboutblaw.com/YJw

California Codes
"GOV 12963.7": https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/government-code/gov-sect-12963-7.html
"GOV 12965": https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&sectionNum=12965
"GOV 12940": https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=12940.&lawCode=GOV

JCC Jury Instructions
"Disparate Treatment": https://www.justia.com/trials-litigation/docs/caci/2500/2500/
"Violation of Equal Pay Act": https://www.justia.com/trials-litigation/docs/caci/2700/2740/
"Work Environment Harassment": https://www.justia.com/trials-litigation/docs/caci/2500/2521a/
“Harassing Conduct Explained": https://www.justia.com/trials-litigation/docs/caci/2500/2523/
"Retaliation": https://www.justia.com/trials-litigation/docs/caci/2500/2505/
"Failure to Prevent Harassment, Discrimination, or Retaliation": https://www.justia.com/trials-litigation/docs/caci/2500/2527/

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"Virtual Legality" is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).

CHECK OUT THE REST OF VIRTUAL LEGALITY HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9YAU61GoW-00K0TJOGnPCo

DISCUSSION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

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Twitter: @hoeglaw
Web: hoeglaw.com