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But playing online requires an Internet connection and usually some flavor of authenticated communication with a server hosted by the game manufacturer. Playing as a single player doesn’t require anything but a game console and a TV. Many games, to some extent, operate in a similar manner. Playing online means I can also share my weapons and other items with my friends, and vice versa, which can make for a more skilled character and, arguably, a more robust gaming experience. So despite the fact that they are hundreds of miles away, we can still play together as though we were in the same room.
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But if I wanted some help or wanted to slay said demons with a group of people, I could see if my friends were online and play with them. If I woke up one day and felt the need to go slay hordes of demons, I could go it alone with just me and the computer via single player mode. For example, I am a big fan of the game Diablo III, as are my friends in California. Games can still be played single player (e.g., you are playing alone and offline) but now you can also play online with other players.
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For those of you who don’t play video games, or haven’t since the Atari 2600 came out, gaming has come a long way since that little round guy ran around eating dots and being chased by ghosts. The ESA’s response is “no way” because, you know, piracy.īear with me, here, I’m going to geek out for a minute. Long story short, the EFF’s argument is that there should be an exemption under the DMCA for individuals who circumvent TPMs specifically for the purpose of continuing to play and or use “abandoned” games. It’s a complex topic, but the Wiki on it is actually pretty good.
#ABANDONWARE GAMES SAFE SOFTWARE#
Abandonware refers to software that is ignored by its owner and no longer has any kind of product support. This type of software is also known as ‘abandonware’. What we’re focusing on today is Proposed Class 23 – entitled Abandoned Software- Video Games Requiring Server Communication. There are several different classes of exemptions proposed for this round of rulemaking, and we don’t have the time to get into all of them. Both sides are zealously advocating their positions because that’s what they’re supposed to do. The exemption rules are revised every three years, so let’s not make this something it isn’t. 1201 if a person circumvents a certain class of video game’s TPM.īefore we start accusing the EFF of picking a fight or the ESA of enacting some wacky new restriction, please note that this issue didn’t just pop up out of the blue. The EFF is proposing an exemption from liability under Sec. Jailbreaking is an example of an activity that circumvents TPMs. This technology is also known as a technological protection measure or “TPM”. Very briefly, this provision (17 USC § 1201) prohibits making or selling devices or services that are used to circumvent embedded technology that is used to prevent unauthorized access to a work. However, there is an equally important part known as the anti-circumvention exemption. Perhaps the most well-known aspect of it is the safe harbor exemptions it provides for Internet Service Providers (“ISPs”). This time, the issue is the question of whether there should be an exemption to the DMCA’s anti-circumvention provision for certain audiovisual works, namely video games.įor those of you who may not be aware, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act is a copyright law in the United States that governs digital technology and Internet-based issues. I think it’s fair to presume that whenever we see the Electronic Frontier Foundation (“EFF”) squaring off with a major trade association (the Entertainment Software Association or “ESA” in this case), things are bound to get interesting.