A LAW firm has played a significant role in helping some of the most high-profile computer games in the market to be converted for mobile phones.

Laura Harper, an associate in North-East based Ward Hadaway’s intellectual property team, who specialises in the creative industries, has worked with mobile gaming specialist Connect2Media on a raft of distribution and licensing agreements for its top-selling titles.

They include a mobile version of the third game in the top-selling Guitar Hero series, as well as World Poker Tour, in all countries outside North America.

Guitar Hero III Backstage Pass, won a commendation in the Game of the North category in the 2009 Big Chip Awards for digital industries and was developed by Connect2 Media on behalf of US-based Hands on Media.

Ms Harper said: “It has been fascinating working with a client like Connect2Media in such a fast-moving industry. It is a really vibrant company which has intellectual property at the heart of everything it does, so it has been great to be involved with the business. Gaming has already surpassed the film industry in terms of the revenue it generates.

With increasingly sophisticated mobile phones, mobile gaming is becoming a key part of the sector, so Connect2Media looks well placed to continue its success.”

Greg Robinson, chief operating officer at Connect2Media, said: “Ward Hadaway understood our needs completely and Laura has, in no time at all, become a useful part of the team.”

As well as publishing games, Connect2Media also develops its own titles, which include 365 Sudoku and the soon-to-be-released, Timeloop.

It also has international subsidiaries in countries including Israel, Poland and Brazil.

Newcastle-based Ward Hadaway has advised a range of cutting edge digital businesses on intellectual property matters.

Earlier this year, Ms Harper played an important role providing legal advice on a book containing the private jottings of the manager of iconic bands Joy Division and New Order.

The book, 1 Top Class Manager, features previously unpublished notes made by the late Rob Gretton.

It was compiled by Mr Gretton’s widow, Lesley Gilbert, in association with Manchester District Music Archive.

Ward Hadaway’s IP team has also recently worked on global sourcing website madeinnations.com and secure social networking site My Friends Together.