Valve fails to get out of paying its EU geo-blocking fine

Valve has failed to convince a court that it didn't infringe EU law by geo-blocking activation keys, according to a new ruling. The company argued that, based on copyright law, publishers had the right to charge different prices for games in different countries. However, the EU General Court confirmed that its geo-blocking actions "infringed EU competition law"and that copyright law didn't apply."Copyright is intended only to ensure for the right holders concerned protection of the right to exploit commercially the marketing or the making available of the protected subject matter, by the grant of licences in return for payment of remuneration," it wrote in a statement. "However, it does not guarantee them the opportunity to demand the highest possible remuneration or to engage in conduct such as to lead to artificial price differences between the partitioned national markets."The original charges centered around activation keys. The commission said Valve and five publishers (Bandai Namco, Capcom, Focus Home, Koch Media and ZeniMax) agreed to use geo-blocking so that activation keys sold in some countries — like Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary and Latvia — would not work in other member states. That would prevent someone in, say, Germany buying a cheaper key in Latvia, where prices are lower. However, doing so violates the EU's Digital Single Market rules, which enforces an open market across the EU. The five developers were given a reduced fine of €7.8 million (over $9.4... Continue reading at 'Engadget'

[ Engadget | 2023-09-27 12:20:53 UTC ]
News tagged with: #koch media #zenimax agreed #czech republic #member states #germany buying #cheaper key #open market #reduced fine #full €1 #locking keys #region locks #local laws #original €1 #ten days #copyright law

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At Guadalajara Book Fair: Guest of Honor EU Plans a Professional Program

The Guest of Honor EU program at Guadalajara includes a three-day program for European, Latin American, and Caribbean professionals. The post At Guadalajara Book Fair: Guest of Honor EU Plans a Professional Program appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-11-09 21:45:06 UTC ]
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Schedule Set, but Order Blocking Texas Book Rating Law Still in Limbo

In an October 2 filing, the plaintiffs argued that staying a federal judge's decision to enjoin HB 900 would "radically upend the status quo” and leave booksellers in a precarious position. But that is exactly where things stand, as an administrative stay issued by the Fifth Circuit effectively... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-10-03 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Kemi Badenoch failed to declare meeting with Rupert Murdoch

Business secretary privately met media mogul in apparent breach of ministerial code of conductKemi Badenoch failed to declare a meeting that she held with Rupert Murdoch days after she was appointed to the cabinet – in a breach of transparency rules.The business and trade secretary reacted... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-10-02 19:19:20 UTC ]
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Appeals Court Temporarily Stays Injunction Blocking Texas Book Rating Law

The temporary hold, which is not based on the merits of the case, puts Judge Alan D. Albright's preliminary injunction on ice while the Fifth Circuit considers the state's bid to stay the injunction. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-09-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
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In a Blistering Opinion, Judge Officially Blocks Texas’ Book Rating Law

After nearly three weeks of waiting, federal judge Alan D. Albright delivered a 59-page written opinion holding that the controversial Texas law "misses the mark" by imposing a web of "unconstitutionally vague" requirements. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-09-19 04:00:00 UTC ]
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‘Jesus Calling’ Author Sarah Young’s Health is ‘Rapidly Failing’

Sarah Young, author of ‘Jesus Calling—’one of the most successful devotionals of all time—is experiencing a health crisis, as confirmed by her publisher, Thomas Nelson. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-08-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Judge Blocks Texas Book Ban Law

Judge Alan D. Albright said that he will grant a motion for a preliminary injunction to block Texas's controversial book ban law, which was due to take effect on September 1. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-08-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Judge Sets Second Hearing on Motion to Block Texas Book Rating Law

In the initial round of oral arguments over whether to block Texas's controversial book rating law, federal judge Alan D. Albright primarily challenged the state's position, and said he would issue a ruling before the law's September 1 effective date. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-08-21 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Stakes Are High as Judge Hears Motion to Block Texas Book Rating Law

A federal judge in Texas is hearing oral arguments on a high stakes motion filed by a coalition of booksellers and book industry advocates to block the state’s controversial new book rating law from taking effect on September 1. Attorneys for the state of Texas are asking the court to dismiss... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-08-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Federal Judge Blocks Parts of Arkansas ‘Harmful to Minors’ Law

Judge Timothy L. Brooks's 49-page opinion and order concluded that the law would "permit, if not encourage, library committees and local governmental bodies to make censorship decisions based on content or viewpoint," thus violating the First Amendment. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-31 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Judge Temporarily Blocks Montana’s Drag Law from Taking Effect

In a July 28 ruling, federal judge Brian Morris found sufficient evidence to grant a temporary restraining order blocking the law so that Montana Pride, which began on July 30 and will run through August 6, can proceed without legal risk. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-31 04:00:00 UTC ]
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A US Court Temporarily Blocks a Library and Bookstore Law

A part of Arkansas' Act 372 would make it a crime for booksellers and librarians to give minors certain state-disapproved books. The post A US Court Temporarily Blocks a Library and Bookstore Law appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-07-31 00:15:55 UTC ]
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Booksellers, Industry Groups File Suit to Block Texas Book Rating Law

The 28-page complaint claims that the law—which is set to take effect in September—would impose sweeping, vague, and unconstitutional content-based restrictions and unduly burden booksellers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-25 04:00:00 UTC ]
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DPLA Launches ‘Geo-targeted’ Banned Book Club via Palace E-book App

The new program utilizes GPS-based “geo-targeting” to show readers the books that have been banned in their area, making e-book versions available to borrow digitally. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
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New Press Urges Appeals Court to Uphold Block on Florida’s Stop W.O.K.E. Act

In a filing this week, lawyers for The New Press argued that the controversial Florida law, a centerpiece of governor Ron DeSantis's legislative agenda, “wears its prejudice on its sleeve.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-06-29 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Google and Facebook urged by EU to label AI-generated content

Call comes amid moves to combat disinformation from Russia, while Twitter is warned to comply with new digital content lawsSocial media companies including Google and Facebook have been urged by the EU to “immediately” start labelling content and images generated by artificial intelligence as... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-06-05 13:06:04 UTC ]
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The 'Donut Dollies' of WWII: Novelist pays tribute his mother and other unsung heroes

Author Luis Alberto Urrea joins the L.A. Times Book club July 19 to discuss his new novel, "Good Night, Irene." Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-05-24 14:00:39 UTC ]
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Microsoft inks another cloud gaming deal after the UK blocked its Activision takeover

Despite suffering a significant blow this week in its attempt to take over Activision Blizzard, Microsoft still believes it can get the job done. The company has signed a 10-year agreement with Spain-based cloud gaming provider Nware to make PC games it builds in-house available to stream on... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-04-28 17:25:18 UTC ]
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Paying Twitter users can now post up to 10,000 characters

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[ PC World | 2023-04-14 14:57:40 UTC ]
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Why authors might want to pay to go on a podcast.

Gone are the days when you could write a book a chapter at a time and hook people in a slow, serial burn. Now, if the internet is to believed, one must amass 100,000 followers on social media before they can even be considered for a book deal (every writer ever: why would anyone follow […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-03-10 17:36:58 UTC ]
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