Steam now explicitly states you don’t own the digital games you’re buying

Have you ever bought an app or game from a digital storefront, only for it to suddenly disappear and become inaccessible without warning? It’s both confusing and frustrating, which is why some governments are stepping in and hoping to make things clearer for consumers. Gavin Newsom, governor of California, recently signed a new law (AB 2426) that involves the purchasing of digital goods and services. Under the new law, online storefronts that sell digital copies of video games, music, movies, TV shows, and ebooks must be explicit as to whether customers actually own what they’re purchasing. Some digital services are already adapting to the new regulations, which aren’t set to be enforced until next year. Steam is one such company, having already implemented a change in the Steam storefront that explicitly notifies customers that they’re purchasing “a license for the product on Steam” and don’t actually own the game outright. What does that mean for you? Well, a license is just permission for you to access content that’s provided by the service (i.e., the game). If the content is made unavailable for whatever reason, you aren’t entitled to access in perpetuity. (As opposed to buying a digital download, in which case you’re buying permission to download and keep said files.) According to Engadget, this new wording in Steam is used in all countries and territories, not just the United States. Further reading: Why digital games can vanish in a heartbeat Continue reading at 'PC World'

[ PC World | 2024-10-11 19:19:30 UTC ]
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Open Road Buys U.K.'s Bloodhound Books

Open Road Integrated Media has acquired Bloodhound Books, a U.K.-based publisher of e-books and print titles. Founded in 2014, Bloodhound has a backlist of about 600 fiction titles, and has sold approximately six million copies of its books worldwide. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-07-27 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Artron Focuses on Art Books and Digital Printing

The last time 'PW' wrote about Artron was in 2016, soon after it completed Peter Lik’s epic 'Equation of Time', a 528-page large-format photography book that was printed digitally on a Screen TruePress Jet SX inkjet press. Since then, the company’s digital/on-demand printing business and... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-07-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Deciding Between Wet and Digital Proofs

With budget constraints and shorter times to market, publishers are turning to digital proofs. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-07-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Forging Ahead on the Digital Path at C&C Offset

Last year, C&C Offset celebrated its 40th anniversary by embarking in earnest on a path toward transforming its printing floor. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-07-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Ad Tracker Tool to Improve Advertisers’ Digital Media Carbon Footprint

As advertisers have been increasing their carbon impact through the growing use of digital advertising, one adtech business has developed a campaign in a bid to support their attempt to repair the damage. Good-Loop, has created an ad tracker, 'The Green Ad Tag', which can be run cross-platform... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2021-07-19 12:56:17 UTC ]
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Attendees positive about digital LBF as agencies see rights 'mini-jump'

The virtual London Book Fair, which began on 7th June, has come to a close, with fairgoers generally positive about the new offering, despite some technological grievances. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-07-03 07:11:56 UTC ]
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Scribner Buys New Jennifer Egan Book

'The Candy House,' set for April 5, 2022, is being dubbed by Scribner as a "sibling novel" to Egan's Pulitzer Prize-winning 2010 book, 'A Visit from the Goon Squad,' and is set over the course of decades in and around both New York City and San Francisco. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-07-01 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Knight Foundation Invests $5 Million in 'Library-Centered' Digital Platform

The funding will support the Palace Project, a nascent partnership between LYRASIS and the Digital Public Library of America to develop digital tools and services for libraries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-06-29 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Rise of 'hybrid authors' as writers buy back their rights

The “rise of the hybrid author” was discussed at London Book Fair, with the prediction that writers will increasingly buy back rights to their own books from publishers.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-06-24 22:00:58 UTC ]
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Ventris says digital iteration of LBF is a sound investment for the future

Having assumed the reins at London Book Fair during one of the most testing times in its history, Andy Ventris is under no illusions as to the size of the challenge that lies ahead for the fair. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-06-18 22:15:17 UTC ]
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London Book Fair Announces Details of Its Digital Seminars

Normally the first annual major publishing trade show of the year, London Book Fair is the last to join its sister events online. The post London Book Fair Announces Details of Its Digital Seminars appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-06-17 19:59:18 UTC ]
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Bertelsmann buys £430m stake in Afya

Bertelsmann is expanding its footprint in Brazil’s fast-growing education market, buying a major stake in medical company Afya.   Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-06-08 11:31:52 UTC ]
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5 Contemporary Literary Fiction Books That Are Game-Changers

If you want to do some serious reading to reflect on humanity and its many aspects, these 5 contemporary literary fiction books are for you, including A Burning By Megha Majumdar. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-05-28 10:38:00 UTC ]
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U.S. Book Show: Indie Bookselling in the Digital Age

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-05-25 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Sheikh Mohamed Funds Book Buying at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Another unexpected boost for publishers, as Abu Dhabi's crown prince puts the equivalent of US$1.6 million into play for book purchases. The post Sheikh Mohamed Funds Book Buying at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-05-24 18:01:11 UTC ]
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Black Sands Publishing Launches Digital Comics App

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-05-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Clarivate to Buy ProQuest for $5.3 Billion

In a huge deal in the library and information publishing world, London-based Clarivate has agreed to acquire ProQuest, an acquisition expected to be completed later this year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-05-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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How a decades-long conversation shaped the young United States

Akhil Reed Amar celebrates the debates that led to revolt, the Constitution and U.S. law. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2021-05-14 12:00:00 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble's Owner Buys Paper Source

Elliott Management, which acquired Barnes & Noble in September 2019, has reached an agreement to buy the stationery retailer Paper Source. B&N CEO James Daunt will add oversight of Paper Source to his responsibilities. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-05-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Elliott buys US chain Paper Source with Daunt to oversee company

Waterstones and Barnes & Noble owner Elliott Investment Management is buying the assets and operations of US stationery and gift retailer Paper Source, with James Daunt overseeing the chain. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-05-11 23:30:36 UTC ]
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