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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Poem: Self-Portrait of Librarian With T.S. Eliot’s Papers

This poem that sees libraries as evocative troves of imagery: histories, card catalogs, classifications. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2019-11-26 10:00:03 UTC ]
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Celebrities Reading: Why Book Lists and Private Libraries Fascinate Us

A reader considers public fascination with iconic and celebrity readers, including attention paid to their personal libraries and book lists. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-11-25 11:40:14 UTC ]
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7 Ways Libraries Are Combatting the Opioid Crisis

Anti-opioid programming is important for inclusion, awareness, and even life-saving. Here are 7 ways libraries are combatting the opioid crisis. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-11-15 11:35:59 UTC ]
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Let's Be Thankful for Libraries

This Thanksgiving, let's pledge our support to the libraries and library workers who help sustain our reading culture. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-15 05:00:00 UTC ]
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The Economic Case for Supporting Libraries

Libraries do so much for so many, but what about the economic evidence of these benefits? Learn about the return on investment of libraries. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-11-06 11:39:24 UTC ]
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Ten year library tour for Poet Laureate Simon Armitage

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage will embark on a ten-year tour of libraries across the UK, starting in 2020.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-06 08:57:35 UTC ]
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As Boycotts Mount, Macmillan CEO Defends Library E-book Embargo

On Monday, just days after the publisher's controversial embargo on new release e-books in libraries went into effect, Macmillan CEO John Sargent met with a group of state librarians, fleshing out his belief that new release e-books in libraries hurt the publisher's revenues. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-06 05:00:00 UTC ]
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CILIP pushes for library support in election campaign

CILIP, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, is leading a campaign calling for politicians to make local libraries a big election issue. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-05 17:51:40 UTC ]
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Florida men deny smalltown library access to the New York Times online, citing “fake news.”

The bullpen of the 1993 San Diego Padres Citrus County Commission (pictured above) has denied funding to county libraries for digital subscriptions to the New York Times. Led by left-handed middle-reliever area man Scott Carnahan, the commission (comprised of Scott, Jeff, Ron, Jimmie, and Brian)... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-11-05 16:08:55 UTC ]
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21 of the Best Audible Books to Gift This Holiday Season

From the hugely popular to the lesser known, these are the best Audible books of 2019 that will make perfect audiobook gifts for anyone on your list. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-11-04 11:37:38 UTC ]
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59 Quotes about Libraries and Librarians

This collection of 59 thoughtful and charming quotes about libraries and librarians will lift and inspire you to grab your library card. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-11-04 11:35:52 UTC ]
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Great School Libraries: A UK Campaign Promoting An Essential Service

Get involved in the Great School Libraries campaign to promote an essential service in UK schools. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-11-01 10:34:56 UTC ]
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Want To Borrow A Library Ebook? Why It Might Become More Challenging (& How Libraries Are Fighting Back)

Macmillan's embargo on new ebooks impacts public libraries, now scrambling to make materials available to patrons. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-11-01 10:32:08 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: November 1, 2019

Among the week's headlines: Macmillan CEO John Sargent writes to librarians; more libraries announce boycotts of Macmillan e-books as the publisher's embargo begins; and why being a whistleblower doesn't pay. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-01 04:00:00 UTC ]
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US libraries boycott Macmillan over e-book policy change

A group of US libraries plan to boycott Macmillan over its controversial new e-book lending policy, suspending purchases of digital copies from the publisher. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-01 03:15:48 UTC ]
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Summer Scares Is Back For Another Haunt!

The Summer Scares program, connecting libraries with great horror reads, is back for another spooky season! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-10-31 14:15:05 UTC ]
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The Most Popular Books In Libraries, July–September 2019

Take a peek at the most popular books in libraries during the third quarter of 2019, courtesy of Panorama Picks. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-10-30 10:35:21 UTC ]
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MS Word and PowerPoint can tap into Adobe Creative Cloud libraries

You might not have to scramble to find pictures for your next company presentation. Microsoft Word and PowerPoint now have direct access to Adobe Creative Cloud Libraries that store everything from company logos to font styles. In other words, you... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2019-10-28 13:00:00 UTC ]
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This Mexico City Artist Created an Instagram-Based Library

A curious account popped up in my Instagram feed this past August that put my ideas about the limits of lending libraries to the test. The account, @tlacuilobiblioteca, which advertises itself as a public lending library, announced a slate of obscure titles in Spanish and English up for grabs in... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-10-28 08:47:50 UTC ]
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Sharjah 2019: U.S., U.A.E. Libraries Are Better Together

Two American librarians reflect on their experience working with their colleagues in the United Arab Emirates. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-10-25 04:00:00 UTC ]
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