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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The Skillset Podcast #4: Academic Libraries in the Wake of Covid-19 with Clemson University’s Christopher Cox

Host David Lankes catches up with Christopher Cox, Dean of Libraries at Clemson University, to talk about the lessons Clemson—and academic libraries more broadly—are learning in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-11-06 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Summer Scares Is Back to Celebrate Horror In Libraries (And Beyond!)

The Horror Writers Association, in collaboration with United for Libraries, Book Riot, and Booklist are excited to announce Summer Scares 2021. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-11-05 11:35:00 UTC ]
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As Covid-19 Cases Surge, PRH Again Extends Temporary E-book, Digital Audio Terms for Libraries, Schools

Penguin Random House executives this week confirmed that the publisher is extending its "temporary" digital license terms for e-books and digital audio in libraries and schools through March 31, 2021. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-11-05 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Reach aims to document more inclusive history with free picture archive Memory Lane

Tool contains publisher’s image libraries while encouraging public to upload their own photographs. Continue reading at Media Week

[ Media Week | 2020-11-04 14:41:51 UTC ]
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Vandalization at Major Libraries Aims At Voter Intimidation

Three libraries, including two major metropolitan downtown facilities, have seen vandalism related to voter intimidation in the last two weeks. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-11-02 11:35:00 UTC ]
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5 Haunted Libraries in 5 Different Countries

Take a virtual tour of some of the world's most haunted libraries, and learn the history behind the hauntings of these bookish spaces. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-11-02 11:30:00 UTC ]
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The Skillset Podcast #3: Politics and Libraries with EveryLibrary's John Chrastka

With the election days away, this is the perfect time to remember that public libraries exist in a political as well as a civic space. In this episode, hosts David Lankes and Nicole Cooke talk to John Chrastka, head of EveryLibrary, the country’s only political action committee for libraries,... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-10-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Why this Brooklyn library is betting on a future that’s bigger than books

Brooklyn’s Greenpoint library and environmental education center, by Marble Fairbanks and Scape, points to a climate-literate future. Here’s how. I have spent a lot of time in libraries in my day. But not one like this.Read Full Story Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2020-10-23 12:15:29 UTC ]
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To All the Libraries I’ll Miss When I (Finally) Move

Six years after moving to D.C. and deciding it's not for me, there’s still something holding me back from leaving: the libraries. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-10-19 10:30:00 UTC ]
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McKee shares the secrets of Elmer success after lifetime achievement win

David McKee’s now-revered picture book Tusk Tusk was once banned in a number of libraries in the UK, the illustrator said after celebrating winning this year’s BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-10-18 16:44:34 UTC ]
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Introducing ‘The Skillset Podcast' with R. David Lankes and Nicole A. Cooke

Each week 'The Skillset Podcast' will illuminate the complex issues facing libraries and other key institutions in these unprecedented times. Episode One, available now, features hosts David Lankes and Nicole Cooke in discussion with Tamara King, Head of Community Engagement at the Richland... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-10-16 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Getting an MLIS While Working Full Time

Getting an MLIS to work in libraries while working a full time job can be challenging, and this librarian shares her experience. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-10-12 10:30:00 UTC ]
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A Fraternity of Dreamers

The anxiety that libraries can sometimes give me is of a cosmic nature, for something ineffable affects my sense of self when I realize that the majority of human interaction, expression, and creativity shall forever be unavailable to me. The post A Fraternity of Dreamers appeared first on The... Continue reading at The Millions

[ The Millions | 2020-10-09 10:00:48 UTC ]
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A Reset for Library E-books

In the wake of the pandemic, can publishers and libraries finally hash out their differences? Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-10-09 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Zoom Into A Good Read: 4 Ways Libraries Hype Books Virtually

This librarian has seen some truly creative ideas for how libraries hype books virtually, and she's here to share the wealth. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-10-05 10:30:00 UTC ]
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Libraries Week features nationwide Haig event and Bonnier book club launch

Libraries Week kicks off today (5th October), featuring behind the scenes looks at authors' bookshelves, a nationwide live reading of The Midnight Library by author Matt Haig (Canongate) and the launch of a Bonnier book club. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-10-05 05:45:33 UTC ]
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How to back up your computer to Google Drive

Syncing with Google Drive is one of the easiest ways to safeguard your data. And you can even specify how much of your internet connection’s bandwidth to use. As our digital libraries get larger and larger, we’re fortunate to be living in a time when cloud-based storage keeps getting cheaper and... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2020-10-01 00:00:11 UTC ]
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World Book Day plans outreach with book club and library collaboration

A new monthly book club and greater outreach to public and school libraries are among the World Book Day plans for 2021, the charity’s c.e.o. has revealed at this year’s Bookseller Children’s Conference. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-09-28 19:52:05 UTC ]
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Beyond the Pandemic, Libraries Look Toward a New Era

With a shift to online resources well underway, “the most trusted civic institutions” are in a good position to deal with the changing future. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2020-09-24 09:00:14 UTC ]
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