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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The Pandemic Pushed Publishing Into the Digital Realm. So What's Next?

With the digital future arriving early, publishers are going to need to adapt, writes Steve Sieck. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-07-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Print Units Have Double-Digit Gain in Mid-July

With another strong showing by the juvenile nonfiction category, unit sales of print books rose 16.6% in the week ended July 18, 2020, over the comparable week in 2019, at outlets that report to NPD BookScan. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-07-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
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When Experience Counts: How Bustle Digital Group Is Future-Proofing Its Business

Legacy media companies, particularly those with print products, are often told they should learn from digital startups who have allegedly disrupted norms and transformed the industry through innovation and a new, creative mindset. While this is true in some instances, there are plenty of... Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2020-07-23 16:07:41 UTC ]
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When Experience Counts: How Bustle Digital Group Is Future-Proofing Its Business

Legacy media companies, particularly those with print products, are often told they should learn from digital startups who have allegedly disrupted norms and transformed the industry through innovation and a new, creative mindset. While this is true in some instances, there are plenty of... Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2020-07-23 16:07:41 UTC ]
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When Experience Counts: How Bustle Digital Group Is Future-Proofing Its Business

EVP of revenue, Elizabeth Webbe Lunny, talks business development, management philosophies and the future of her company and publishing. The post When Experience Counts: How Bustle Digital Group Is Future-Proofing Its Business appeared first on Eddie & Ozzie Awards. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2020-07-23 16:07:41 UTC ]
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Alex Trebek’s Memoir Says He’s Ready for the End of the Game

“In addition to my passion for the musk ox, I also have a deep love for horses.” Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2020-07-22 14:09:02 UTC ]
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Author loses spot in Top 10 after buying 400 copies of his own book

Mark Dawson’s purchase pushed his thriller The Cleaner up the Sunday Times chart, but the sales monitor Nielsen has now revised its figuresAuthor Mark Dawson has lost his Top 10 position in the Sunday Times bestseller charts for his thriller The Cleaner after revealing that he bought 400 copies... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-07-22 11:24:02 UTC ]
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OUP scoops Harvey gaming debut

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[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-22 02:05:28 UTC ]
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Spain’s Book Market: 40 Percent More Online Buying During Lockdown

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-07-21 14:30:43 UTC ]
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Nielsen Is Overhauling Its Digital Measurement Methodology

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[ AdWeek | 2020-07-21 13:00:53 UTC ]
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HC buys former NHS doctor's 'hopeful' illustrations, poetry and fables

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[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-17 05:14:13 UTC ]
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Fane launches digital programme with Wenger, Maupin and Norton

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[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-17 03:24:42 UTC ]
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Fourth Estate buys Candy's guide to mothering teenage girls

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Vortex247 Showcases African Digital Comics

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Frankfurt still expecting visitors as organisers reveal digital details

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[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-15 00:41:28 UTC ]
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Frankfurter Buchmesse Outlines Digital Programming Details

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-07-13 13:12:17 UTC ]
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Chatham announces plan to buy newspaper publisher McClatchy

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[ ABC News | 2020-07-12 18:42:02 UTC ]
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Hedge fund Chatham plans to buy newspaper publisher McClatchy out of bankruptcy, ending 163 years of family control

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Sony buys film rights to Kwan's Sex and Vanity

Sony Pictures has bought the film rights to Kevin Kwan's new novel Sex and Vanity (Hutchinson). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-12 16:38:32 UTC ]
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National Book Awards Makes the Move to Digital: November 18

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-07-10 17:02:00 UTC ]
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