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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Are Little Free Libraries Better in Wealthy Neighborhoods?

Are Little Free Libraries better in wealthier parts of town? I visited 25 of them in different areas of my city to compare and find out. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-06-24 10:38:00 UTC ]
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Cowell and Duchess of Cornwall launch flagship school libraries project

Waterstones Children's Laureate Cresside Cowell and the Duchess of Cornwall have visited a school in Wandsworth, south London, to open a "life-changing" library. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-06-21 16:23:10 UTC ]
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Anthony Doerr’s Libraries of Wonder

“The library was practically a babysitter. You could leave yourself and enter worlds. It’s such a rich life when you get to be a reader. Books can give you multiple lives.” The post Anthony Doerr’s Libraries of Wonder appeared first on The Millions. Continue reading at The Millions

[ The Millions | 2021-06-21 10:00:30 UTC ]
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A precious African-studies collection burns in Cape Town

For scholars, the loss recalled those of the libraries of Alexandria, Timbuktu and Rio Continue reading at The Economist

[ The Economist | 2021-06-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A precious African-studies collection burns in Cape Town

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[ The Economist | 2021-06-17 14:58:23 UTC ]
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Library Community Mourns John Eldred, Pioneering Founder of Midwest Tape

John Eldred, president and owner of Midwest Tape, died on May 27. In a thoughtful remembrance shared with PW, Jeff Jankowski, Eldred's partner for over 30 years at Midwest Tape, recalled Eldred as a beloved friend who combined his passion for libraries with his love for history, movies,... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-06-11 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Where Is Our Spotify for Books?

Libraries traditionally played a Spotify-esque role for physical books, but legal barriers have made it largely impossible to do with e-books. Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2021-06-07 09:40:00 UTC ]
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Bodour Al Qasimi Launches Her Book at Sharjah Children’s Book Fair

The new release is 'World Book Capital' and proceeds from is sales go to damaged bookshops and libraries in Gaza. The post Bodour Al Qasimi Launches Her Book at Sharjah Children’s Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-05-26 19:57:39 UTC ]
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U.S. Book Show: Why America Needs Libraries Now More than Ever

In his May 25 keynote at the U.S. Book Show's Libraries Are Essential program, author and sociologist Eric Klinenberg called libraries "the best exemplars of our collective life," arguing that strong libraries will be key to the nation's recovery after a historically challenging year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-05-25 04:00:00 UTC ]
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ACE announces details of £42m fund to boost libraries and creative projects

Arts Council England has announced the details of a £42m fund to boost local libraries, creative projects and museums across the country. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-05-24 06:43:36 UTC ]
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Amazon Publishing, DPLA Ink Deal to Lend E-books in Libraries

The deal represents a major step forward for the digital library market. Not only is Amazon Publishing finally making its digital content available to libraries, the deal also gives libraries a range of models through which it can license the content. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

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U.S. Book Show: Libraries Are Essential

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-05-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
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YLG to host first Great Northern Meet-Up conference

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Germany’s Knowledge Unlatched Starts Its 2021 Open Access Funding Round

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Fund These Classroom Libraries to Show Teachers Some Appreciation!

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[ Book Riot | 2021-05-03 10:42:00 UTC ]
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Bookish Exteriors: Libraries That Look Like Books

Love books? How about libraries? These libraries that look like books combine two of every readers' favorite things in bookish architecture. Continue reading at Book Riot

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Parker to Retire, Childs Promoted in 'Major' Restructuring of PRH Library Team

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Be more Welsh

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L.A. County and city libraries will reopen soon. Here's what to expect

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PRH Extends Temporary E-book, Digital Audio Terms for Libraries

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