Why your digital games could vanish in a heartbeat

News that GOG.com has delisted 29 games this month is a sobering reminder that at any moment the games you own could vanish from your PC game libraries at any time and there’s not much you can do about it. Admittedly, GOG’s games include titles that many gamers may not have heard about. But history has shown that this happens to well-known titles too and on platforms with millions of users like Steam and Origin. So how is it that something you’ve legitimately bought can be whipped away in a heartbeat? Don’t we have consumer protection laws against that? Personally, I’d like to see protections in place to keep games from disappearing for purely licensing reasons if they still have legions of fans and are being played by many… How is it that my games can just vanish? The laws around your digital assets will differ depending on where in the world you live, but in most jurisdictions there are no clear laws stating that you unequivocally own and have the right to your digital games in perpetuity. In the U.S. the Federal Trade Commission outlines some of the reasons why this is the case. By far the main reason has to do with the terms of the agreement you make when you create an account on a gaming platform or when you click purchase. When you buy a game on a digital platform, you’re essentially just paying to access the content — in other words, you own a license but not the actual game. Accessing content is not the same as owning it. It means that... Continue reading at 'PC World'

[ PC World | 2024-09-26 10:30:00 UTC ]

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2 years since Adams and Hochul’s recovery plan, how has New York fared?

Two years ago, with the depths of the pandemic still close in the rearview mirror, New York’s top officials charted a way forward: dozens of big ideas proposed by a group of 57 civic leaders, endorsed by the mayor and governor and geared toward revitalizing the city’s business districts.Now, the... Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2024-12-16 10:48:25 UTC ]
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School Librarians Are Altering Illustrations to Avoid Book Challenges and Other Library News

Catch up with the latest in library news, including mental health literacy resources, Japanese libraries trying out book sales, and more. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2024-12-13 12:30:00 UTC ]
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As children's book bans soar, sales are down and librarians are afraid. Even in California

Book bans are tanking sales of children's books. Schools and libraries aren't buying books about LGBTQ+ issues and race as they brace for culture war pushback. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2024-12-12 11:00:55 UTC ]
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Constantia Constantinou Tapped to Lead Whiting Foundation

Constantinou, a longtime leader in library innovation who most recently served as director of libraries at the University of Pennsylvania, has been appointed as the new executive director of the Whiting Foundation. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-12-10 05:00:00 UTC ]
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State loosens NYC’s bidding rules for capital projects, at Adams’ urging

Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed two bills aimed at speeding up the city’s famously sluggish capital process — a win for Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, which pushed for the changes in hopes of expediting big construction projects and driving down their costs.The most significant bill signed into... Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2024-12-02 18:13:11 UTC ]
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Supreme Court steps into fight over FCC's $8 billion subsidies for internet and phone services

The Supreme Court has stepped into a major legal fight over the $8 billion a year the federal government spends to subsidize phone and internet services in schools, libraries and rural areas, in a new test of federal regulatory power Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2024-11-22 20:46:35 UTC ]
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Prepare Your Library Before January Arrives: Book Censorship News, November 22, 2024

How libraries should prepare for the incoming administration right now, from updating trustee descriptions to addressing mis/dis information. That, plus this week's book censorship news. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2024-11-22 13:30:00 UTC ]
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Urban Libraries Council Survey Shows Positive Trends, Challenges for Libraries

The survey captured a range of trends in patron engagement from 115 ULC member libraries, "representing nearly 2,300 locations and serving over 87.5 million people” for 2023. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-11-22 05:00:00 UTC ]
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700+ Books Removed From Florida Schools: Book Censorship News, November 15, 2024

Books removed from Florida libraries include books by and about marginalized people as well as classic authors like George Orwell. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2024-11-15 12:15:00 UTC ]
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Want to know how libraries fared on the ballot? This cool non-profit made a chart.

EveryLibrary, a non-profit dedicated to supporting public and school libraries across the country via local grassroots organizing, has been tracking anti-library legislation since 2012. Between the onslaught of book bans and censorship petitions, they’ve naturally had a busy few years. But last... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-11-13 17:52:28 UTC ]
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A Year of Giving Away Banned Books in Florida

Florida is one the most diverse and fastest growing states in the United States. It is also, tragically, the epicenter of book banning in America. Thousands of books have been banned from public schools and libraries in an attempt to silence dissenting voices that explore the experiences of... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2024-11-13 12:05:00 UTC ]
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How to Help Rebuild Libraries in Conflict Zones

Alison Tweed, CEO of U.K.–based charity Book Aid International, describes the destruction of libraries in Lebanon, Ukraine, and Iraq and advises on how the book business can help to rebuild them. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-11-13 05:00:00 UTC ]
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The friendliest shark in the sea of internet privacy is a discounted VPN

TL;DR: SurfShark VPN protects your data, hides your location, and gives you access to content from anywhere. Get two years for $45.59 with coupon code HOLIDAY20 until November 17. These days, surfing the internet without a safeguard is a bit like wading into shark-infested waters —... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2024-11-09 14:00:00 UTC ]
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Harvard Library Bans Silent Student Protesters, and More Library News

"Are we continuing to pretend that libraries are inherently neutral and apolitical institutions?" Thoughts? Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2024-11-08 12:30:00 UTC ]
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The best ereaders for 2024

There are really two types of ereaders: Dedicated ebook/audiobook devices or slabs that are more akin to small tablets with E Ink screens. In the first category, the competition is really between Amazon’s Kindle devices and Rakuten’s Kobo readers. Ereaders in the latter group include entries... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2024-11-07 08:00:36 UTC ]
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EveryLibrary Warns that U.S. Election Results Mean More Uncertainty for Libraries

The last few years have been difficult for libraries and librarians. And with last night’s election results, the future for the profession just got a lot murkier, according to the customary election night wrap-up from nonpartisan library political action committee EveryLibrary. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-11-06 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Engadget Podcast: Apple’s M4 chip heads to the iMac, Mac mini and MacBook Pro

It's been a Mac-heavy week! In this episode, Devindra and producer Ben Ellman dive into all of Apple's new M4 hardware: the new iMac, Mac mini and refreshed Macbook Pros. The Mac mini, in particular, looks like it'll be a huge hit for anyone who needs a simple desktop system. Also, we dive into... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2024-11-01 13:20:04 UTC ]
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Germany’s E-Lending Round Table: ‘A Constructive Process’

Long a 'deadlocked debate,' the question of ebook lending through libraries has reached new 'willingness to engage' in Germany. The post Germany’s E-Lending Round Table: ‘A Constructive Process’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-10-31 20:29:41 UTC ]
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The Impossible Book Questions We Want Answered

Impossible book data we wish existed, haunted libraries around the U.S., tarot-inspired bookish gifts, and more. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2024-10-31 15:00:00 UTC ]
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“I Did Not See Ghosts, But Beautiful Building”: Haunted Libraries Across the US

Haunted libraries exist throughout the United States. Here are four with chilling stories—plus the story of a haunted library book! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2024-10-31 14:00:00 UTC ]
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