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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AAP Sues to Block Maryland, New York Library E-book Laws

The AAP filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to stop Maryland's library e-book law for taking effect January 1 and also disclosed that it was one of more than 20 organizations to sign a letter to New York governor Kathy Hochul urging her to veto a similar bill. Both pieces of legislation require... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-12-09 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #license e-books #stop maryland #libraries #e-book


Former Trump Defense Secretary Sues Pentagon for Blocking Portions of his Memoir

In the suit, filed on November 28, attorneys for Esper say that “significant text” is being “improperly withheld from publication…under the guise of classification.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-11-29 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Julia Fine: Ghosts of Rebel Children’s Book Authors

The author of The Upstairs House on postpartum depression, hauntings, and the legacy of Margaret Wise Brown. Continue reading at Guernica

[ Guernica | 2021-11-18 03:45:32 UTC ]
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My Workplace Joined the Fine-Free Library Movement (And Here’s What I Learned)

The realities -- the good, the challenging, and the great -- of going fine-free in libraries from a public librarian. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-11-15 11:30:00 UTC ]
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The disability pay gap

Last month, Penguin Random House released their disability pay gap report along with statistics for sexual orientation and socio-economic background. Whilst the publication of the report was positive, with PRH being the first publishing house to include disability in their reporting, the pay gap... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-06 09:01:13 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #sexual orientation #penguin random house


Justice Department Sues to Block Penguin Random House Acquisition of Simon & Schuster

The Department of Justice sues to block the acquisition of Simon and Schuster from Penguin Random House. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-11-02 16:56:25 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #simon schuster #penguin random house


DOJ sues to block Penguin Random House from merging with Simon & Schuster

Some tech analysts are a bit baffled by the move and, subsequently, the DOJ’s priorities. The Justice Department on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against publisher Penguin Random House that seeks to block its proposed merger with rival Simon & Schuster. It’s one of the Biden administration’s... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2021-11-02 14:35:22 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #simon schuster #justice department #proposed merger #biden administration #publisher penguin #penguin random house


Justice Department Sues to Block Penguin Random House Acquisition of S&S

The Department of Justice has sued to block Penguin Random House’s proposed acquisition of Simon & Schuster, arguing that it "would result in substantial harm to authors." Lawyers for PRH said that they expect the case to go to trial sometime in 2022. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-11-02 04:00:00 UTC ]
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France hails victory as Facebook agrees to pay newspapers for content

Social media firm announces deal after long-running battle with national and regional newspapers France has hailed a victory in its long-running quest for fairer action from tech companies after Facebook reached an agreement with a group of national and regional newspapers to pay for content... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-10-21 14:21:02 UTC ]
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IAC to pay $2.7 billion for parent of People, Better Homes & Gardens

The purchase of Meredith Corp.'s magazine publishing operations is expected to close by the end of the year. Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2021-10-06 23:04:39 UTC ]
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The Real Reason Anna Qu Wants You to Pay Attention to Praise

In our series “Can Writing Be Taught?” we partner with Catapult to ask their course instructors all our burning questions about the process of teaching writing. This month we’re featuring Made in China author Anna Qu, who will be leading a year-long Online Memoir Generator for writers of color... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2021-09-28 11:00:00 UTC ]
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New Religion Kids Imprints on the Block

A number of Christian publishers launched their first children’s titles in 2021 to expand their mission and reach. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-09-21 04:00:00 UTC ]
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9/11 was a test. The books of the last two decades show how America failed.

The books of the last two decades show how overreacting to the attacks unmade America’s values. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2021-09-03 10:00:07 UTC ]
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PRH US pays tribute to Seyfried after death, aged 36

Penguin Random House US has paid tribute to 36-year-old vice-president Erika Seyfried, who died over the weekend.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-30 18:31:43 UTC ]
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Six Extinction Rebellion protesters found guilty of blocking news printers

Judge says demonstration was ‘peaceful’ but impacted Murdoch, Mail, Telegraph and Standard titlesSix Extinction Rebellion protesters on trial for blockading the printing press of some of the UK’s biggest newspapers have been found guilty.The activists appeared at St Albans magistrates court on... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-07-16 12:17:11 UTC ]
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Hungary fines bookshop chain over picture book depicting LGBT families

Líra Könyv made to pay £600 for failing to clearly indicate the story featured ‘a family that is different than a normal family’A bookshop chain in Hungary has been fined for selling a children’s story depicting a day in the life of a child with same-sex parents, with officials condemning the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-07-08 12:09:32 UTC ]
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Will Smith unveils memoir cover for Century at Miami block party

Will Smith has revealed the cover of his memoir Will, published by Century this November, at a community block party in Miami. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-06-21 12:22:28 UTC ]
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What’s driving the pilots that will fly paying customers into space?

The stereotype of military and machismo is still prevalent if not exclusive, but the stories are complicated Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2021-06-11 12:00:00 UTC ]
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Scholastic Authors Pay Tribute to Dick Robinson

A number of Scholastic’s writers paid tribute to the Scholastic CEO, lauding his vision, his passion, and his unwavering support for children’s books and authors. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-06-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
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