US Copyright Office expands some fair use rights for video games (resurrect dead games legally) - Polidicks

Alright so good news for the guys into digital archiving (breaking DRM) and dead game emulation, it's legal in the United States now. [quote]The new rules for exemptions to copyright's DRM-circumvention laws were issued today, and the Librarian of Congress has granted much of what EFF asked for over the course of months of extensive briefs and hearings. The exemptions we requested—ripping DVDs and Blurays for making fair use remixes and analysis; preserving video games and running multiplayer servers after publishers have abandoned them; jailbreaking cell phones, tablets, and other portable computing devices to run third party software; and security research and modification and repairs on cars—have each been accepted, subject to some important caveats. The exemptions are needed thanks to a fundamentally flawed law that forbids users from breaking DRM, even if the purpose is a clearly lawful fair use. As software has become ubiquitous, so has DRM. Users often have to circumvent that DRM to make full use of their devices, from DVDs to games to smartphones and cars. The law allows users to request exemptions for such lawful uses—but it doesn’t make it easy. Exemptions are granted through an elaborate rulemaking process that takes place every three years and places a heavy burden on EFF and the many other requesters who take part. Every exemption must be argued anew, even if it was previously granted, and even if there is no opposition. The exemptions that emerge are limited in scope. What is worse, they only apply to end users—the people who are actually doing the ripping, tinkering, jailbreaking, or research—and not to the people who make the tools that facilitate those lawful activities.[/quote] This is good news for the guys over at SWGEmu who were shitting their pants over the thought of Disney C&Ding their project that has been in development for the better part of a decade. Also noteworthy [quote]Remix Videos From DVD and Blu-Ray Sources The Librarian effectively renewed the existing exemption for noncommercial remix videos, and expanded it to cover circumvention of DRM on Blu-Ray discs. Opponents had argued (as they have before) that remix videos are “generally infringing” and that artists should make do with whatever they can acquire through video capture or by pointing their smartphone at a screen. In fact, remix is widely recognized as a thriving genre of fair use used for all kinds of valuable political and cultural commentary and expression. Equally obviously, high quality source is essential to making the creation of persuasive, compelling works, whether those works be documentaries, Hollywood blockbusters, or short form videos. Thanks to today’s exemption remixers will be able to continue to make their art using the best quality source material. The new rules are long and complicated, and we'll be posting more details about each as we get a chance to analyze them. In the meantime, we hope each of these exemptions enable more exciting fair uses that educate, entertain, improve the underlying technology, and keep us safer. A better long-terms solution, though, is to eliminate the need for this onerous rulemaking process. We encourage lawmakers to support efforts like the Unlocking Technology Act, which would limit the scope of Section 1201 to copyright infringements—not fair uses. And as the White House looks for the next Librarian of Congress, who is ultimately responsible for issuing the exemptions, we hope to get a candidate who acts—as a librarian should—in the interest of the public's access to information.[/quote] [quote]Car Security Research, Repair, and Modifications The Librarian recognized the need for vehicle owners to circumvent access restrictions in order to repair, modify, and tinker. The exemption removes the uncertainty of whether 1201 liability would attach to a range of activities that have been clearly lawful throughout most of the hundred-year history of automotive tinkering, but were called into question as an unintended consequence of copyright law. We are also pleased by the exemption for security research, which covers vehicles and many other devices. The Librarian included unnecessary limits and delays in the exemptions, but overall the ruling represent a victory for the public that will help independent security researchers evaluate automotive software, will promote competition in the vehicle aftermarket, and will support vehicle owners who wish to learn about or improve on their own cars. [/quote] [quote] Jailbreaking Phones, Tablets, and More The Librarian renewed the existing exemption for jailbreaking smartphones, to allow them to run any software the user chooses. The Librarian also expanded the exemption to cover “portable all-purpose mobile computing devices,” including tablets and smartwatches. This exemption clears up a lot of legal uncertainty for the vibrant alternative software communities that have sprung up to customize and enhance portable computing devices. We are pleased that the Librarian has erased the prior rule’s arbitrary distinction between phones and tablets.[/quote] Source: [url]https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/10/victory-users-librarian-congress-renews-and-expands-protections-fair-uses[/url]

Not bad... It's sad to see old games die due to lack of interest from the copyright holder.

Forgot the source. Sorry guys, I was editing in the "other interesting bits"

so does that mean we can get that Metal Gear Remake that Konami just donw ( the MSX one not PS1 )

[QUOTE=theevilldeadII;48995732]so does that mean we can get that Metal Gear Remake that Konami just donw ( the MSX one not PS1 )[/QUOTE] Nah, that'd be creating a new game based on existing IP. This just protects things like Metal Gear Online for the PS2 and MGO for the PS3 (which will be extremely relevant once PS3 emulation starts happening). I know people play MGO2 on cracked PS3s, but it's a minority. The same logic still applies. Don't fucking talk about it until it's finished and release it.

Wouldn't TPP just come around and fuck this all up again Granted most presidential candidates want to block it but I don't trust them to keep there word

[QUOTE=Saxon;48995927]Wouldn't TPP just come around and fuck this all up again Granted most presidential candidates want to block it but I don't trust them to keep there word[/QUOTE] At the very least, it's a shield to protect several ongoing emulation projects in the meantime. Then they can move the servers overseas once the development is complete.

Does this mean Kojima could resurrect P.T himself if he were to obtain enough rights? I'd imagine he still holds quite a bit of of shares wouldn't he?

[QUOTE=WTFTY;49000241]Does this mean Kojima could resurrect P.T himself if he were to obtain enough rights? I'd imagine he still holds quite a bit of of shares wouldn't he?[/QUOTE] No because the game hasn't been made yet. Technically Konami owns the rights to that series, therefore if Kojima tried to finish the game it would be theft of intellectual property. This bill simply covers the ability to bring back online a game that has already been finished but abandoned by the copyright holder.

[QUOTE=DiBBs27;49000431]This bill simply covers the ability to bring back online a game that has already been finished but abandoned by the copyright holder.[/QUOTE] So in theory this could revive stuff like BattleForge?

[QUOTE=ironman17;49000443]So in theory this could revive stuff like BattleForge?[/QUOTE] As long as there is somebody willing to host the game, provide the servers, restore the netcode etc, yea. Essentially any game that has been shut down by the publisher for reasons such as server reallocation or just general disinterest in the game would be subject to revival.

[QUOTE=DiBBs27;49000458]As long as there is somebody willing to host the game, provide the servers, restore the netcode etc, yea. Essentially any game that has been shut down by the publisher for reasons such as server reallocation or just general disinterest in the game would be subject to revival.[/QUOTE] Well then, I imagine BattleForge is bound to come back, since there were a fair few folks who loved that game.

Does this mean we can make our own XBL for the original Xbox?! HALO 2 HERE WE COME

[QUOTE=chipsnapper2;49000712]Does this mean we can make our own XBL for the original Xbox?! HALO 2 HERE WE COME[/QUOTE] This is already a thing Or was, maybe it died out

[QUOTE=DiBBs27;49000458]As long as there is somebody willing to host the game, provide the servers, [B]restore the netcode[/B] etc, yea.[/QUOTE] Please don't ever use this term again, or speak of back-end development.

I hope some US studio uses to ressurect the old LOTR BFME series which I loved alot.

[QUOTE=Saxon;49000768]This is already a thing Or was, maybe it died out[/QUOTE] not for the original Xbox it wasn't people kept the PC servers alive, not the Xbox ones.

[QUOTE=Revenge282;49000788]Please don't ever use this term again, or speak of back-end development.[/QUOTE] I wonder if you even know what youre talking about. Netcode is a completely viable 'term' when it comes to latency related issues, which, in this context has a LOT to do with restoring old online multiplayer games on new 3rd party servers. I don't see the need to highhorse over someone when what I'm referring to is a completely valid issue. Especially when it comes to bringing games back from the dead without any "back end" developer help. So chill out bud.

Look at the bigger picture, that means we could have Arcade Museums filled with classics being emulated on computers.

it really sucks that the general public has to petition to get exceptions every couple years, they should be perminent [editline]28th October 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Saxon;48995927]Wouldn't TPP just come around and fuck this all up again Granted most presidential candidates want to block it but I don't trust them to keep there word[/QUOTE] for the most part TPP extends our horrible copyright to other countries, we won't see any changes but everybody else will

[QUOTE=Revenge282;49000788]Please don't ever use this term again, or speak of back-end development.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Wikipedia page for Netcode]Netcode is a blanket term for anything that somehow relates to networking in online games; netcode is a term most commonly used by gamers when discussing synchronization issues between clients and servers.[/QUOTE] Look it up before you start mindlessly criticizing someone.

[QUOTE=FFStudios;49001123]not for the original Xbox it wasn't people kept the PC servers alive, not the Xbox ones.[/QUOTE] [URL="http://www.teamxlink.co.uk/"]There's a program[/URL] that lets your Xbox (Or PS2/PS3/PSP/Wii/360) play online System Link games.

[QUOTE=Durrsly;49001972][URL="http://www.teamxlink.co.uk/"]There's a program[/URL] that lets your Xbox (Or PS2/PS3/PSP/Wii/360) play online System Link games.[/QUOTE] yeah that's not what he was talking about though. xlink has been around for years. i'm pretty sure he's talking about the group of people who stayed logged in to Halo 2's matchmaking and played games for about a month after they shut the servers down

[QUOTE=Venom Snake;48995467] This is good news for the guys over at SWGEmu who were shitting their pants over the thought of Disney C&Ding their project that has been in development for the better part of a decade. [/QUOTE] If they did I'm pretty sure long time fans would be more upset then when SOE launched NGE AKA 'HUUUUUR SWG SHOULD BE LIKE WoW The patch'. But good, I pop in on Basilisk from time to time I'd I'll gladly keep doing so.

[QUOTE=Venom Snake;48995467]Alright so good news for the guys into digital archiving (breaking DRM) and dead game emulation, it's legal in the United States now. This is good news for the guys over at SWGEmu who were shitting their pants over the thought of Disney C&Ding their project that has been in development for the better part of a decade. Also noteworthy Source: [url]https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/10/victory-users-librarian-congress-renews-and-expands-protections-fair-uses[/url][/QUOTE] Fantastic! I remember some folks recreated The Sims Online to just dick around on The Sims in multiplayer but EA shut it down. I can't wait to see if they restart the project.

Does that mean that City of Heroes revival project is going to progress faster now I hope so

Well, That's a failure. People can't make any tools for you the end user to use without being jailed. Doesn't make any sense. To be within the scope of theses laws you've got to submit an application and argue your case, So. Arguing that you want to install Linux onto your phone just for fun isn't enough. Unless, I readed the article incorrectly?

So, we can resurrect dead games legally now? Great, time to bring Half Life back from the dead!

[QUOTE=adamsz;49012651]So, we can resurrect dead games legally now? Great, time to bring Half Life back from the dead![/QUOTE] Huh....what?

[QUOTE=adamsz;49012651]So, we can resurrect dead games legally now? Great, time to bring Half Life back from the dead![/QUOTE] Yeah, The last attempt wasn't really that good. They changed to many things i like the inherit cluster that was half life mismatching models and chapters that seemly seem like they are missing something.