BUNDESVERBAND INTERAKTIVE UNTERHALTUNGSSOFTWARE

The German Trade Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (BIU) is the interest group of providers and producers of entertainment software in Germany. The association and its 19 members represent over 85 % of the market for computer and video games in Germany and are the main contact partner for political and social institutions, the media as well as the general public when it comes to games. The association was established in 2005 and has its headquarters in Berlin. In addition to t... he transparent presentation of the market, the BIU sustainably campaigns for the social and cultural acceptance of computer and video games as well as the strengthening of Germany as a games location. The association is co-organiser and ideal sponsor of gamescom, Europes largest industry trade fair, as well as renowned awards, symposiums and conferences, among them the German Computer Games Award and the Serious Games Conference. The support of child and youth protection, of media literacy as well as data and consumer protection are amongst the main tasks of the BIU. At the instigation of the industry and trade, the Self-Monitoring of Entertainment Software (USK) was established in 1994, to guarantee the use of computer and video games appropriate to age. Intensive educational work promotes responsible use with the medium and a better understanding of media literacy is anchored in society. To support this objective the BIU started among other things the educational campaign “Spielen Verbindet” in 2009. To secure the future viability of the German games industry, BIU has been involved in the expansion of a functioning infrastructure in the areas of education and public support for many years. Furthermore, the association is actively committed to the fight against software and product piracy in Germany as well as internationally, to protect the intellectual property and thus the existence of creative artists in the games sector.More