Summary:
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Legal Denial
Video game libraries have lost a legal appeal to share emulated versions of their physical game collections online, as the US Copyright Office denied their request for a DMCA exemption. -
Impact on Researchers
The decision forces researchers to physically travel to distant libraries to access rare physical game copies, limiting the availability of important gaming history. -
Arguments Against Remote Access
The Copyright Office sided with the Entertainment Software Association, arguing that remote access could create a loophole for an unauthorized “online arcade” that could undermine the market for classic game re-releases. -
Market Concerns
Despite studies showing that many older games are out of print, the Copyright Office noted a “healthy” market for reissued titles, indicating that some games still see commercial success. -
Historical Context
The Register of Copyrights highlighted the association of emulation with piracy as a concern, even as advocates for game preservation argue for the importance of emulation in maintaining gaming heritage.
Read more at: Ars Technica