Copyright Law
Ongoing coverage on Copyright Law.
Latest coverage
Private Minecraft servers are "Illegal," according to an ESA official
An official from the Entertainment Software Association stated that private Minecraft servers are illegal and considered piracy, despite Microsoft's encouragement of community servers. Minecraft's creator, Markus Persson, criticized the ESA's stance, while Microsoft and Mojang Studios have not officially commented.
Downloading GTA 6 with the "hope it'll run in 50 years is not a preservation solution," Video Game History Foundation says as PlayStation kills discs
The Video Game History Foundation criticizes Sony's decision to end physical PlayStation disc production and close older digital stores, stating it poses challenges for game preservation. Director Frank Cifaldi argues that relying on piracy or physical media is insufficient for long-term preservation, especially for digital-only titles like Grand Theft Auto 6. He calls for the industry to provide legal solutions for archives to preserve digital content, as current copyright laws and industry opposition hinder these efforts.
'This Is Borderline Evil' - Minecraft Creator Speaks Out Against ESA Calling Private Servers 'Illegal'
Minecraft creator Markus Persson has criticized the Electronic Software Association for labeling private servers as illegal. Persson, also known as 'Notch,' believes this stance is 'borderline evil' and is sparking debate about server legality and intellectual property.
Minecraft servers are apparently "illegal," according to the Vice President of America's biggest gaming association
Jennifer Gibbons, Vice President of the Entertainment Software Association, stated that community-run Minecraft servers are "illegal" and akin to "piracy" during a California State Senate hearing. This statement contradicts Microsoft and Mojang's official promotion and support of community servers for the game. The hearing was regarding Assembly Bill 1921, which aims to protect players' access to server-dependent games.
Ultima's creator Richard Garriott is planning to win back the rights to his legendary RPG from EA with an 50-year-old copyright quirk
Ultima creator Richard Garriott plans to reclaim the rights to the legendary RPG series from Electronic Arts using a provision in the Copyright Act of 1976 that allows authors to reclaim copyright after 35 years. Garriott, also known as Lord British, stated that he intends to regain all copyrights to his original work, though he acknowledges that this would grant him ownership of the copyright rather than the trademark, meaning he could create a game similar to Ultima but not use the 'Ultima' name.
As EA appear to renew the trademark for Ultima, its creator lies in wait to reclaim the game's copyright next year
Electronic Arts has renewed trademarks for the Ultima series, prompting discussions about its future. Series creator Richard Garriott revealed he has been attempting to work with EA on an Ultima revival for years and plans to reclaim the copyright in 2027, when the 35-year term expires. While EA would retain the trademark, Garriott aims to regain copyright for his original work under a new title like 'Lord British's Ultima'.
It seems a copyright law quirk will finally let Lord British reclaim Ultima from EA’s clutches
A quirk in copyright law may allow Richard Garriott, also known as Lord British, to reclaim the Ultima franchise from Electronic Arts. The article suggests that legal technicalities could lead to the return of the classic RPG series' rights.
Ultima creator Richard Garriott now claims he could regain the series’ copyright by next year
Ultima creator Richard Garriott claims he may regain the copyright for the series from Electronic Arts by 2027, citing a 35-year rule in copyright law. While EA currently operates Ultima Online, Garriott expressed past frustrations with the company's handling of potential revivals. This news comes amidst EA filing new trademarks for the Ultima series.
WoW's got the right to close private servers—but in this industry layoff hellscape, I also feel like I'm watching the MMO genre's future get snuffed out
While Blizzard Entertainment has the legal right to shut down World of Warcraft private servers, the author laments the loss of innovation and creativity they represent, especially in an industry plagued by layoffs and a lack of new MMOs. The article suggests that these servers, despite their legal status, have influenced official game developments like World of Warcraft Classic and Season of Discovery, and their closure highlights broader issues within the game industry.
The creator of Ultima is reportedly reclaiming the series' rights back from EA, and it could happen as soon as next…
Richard Garriott, the creator of the Ultima series, is reportedly set to reclaim the copyright to the franchise from Electronic Arts in 2027 due to a 35-year copyright reversion law. While EA will retain the trademark, Garriott plans to develop new titles under a name like "Lord British's Ultima".
EGDF WELCOMES THE COMMISSION’S INVITATION TO ENGAGE WITH THE GAMES INDUSTRY
The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) welcomes the European Commission's invitation to discuss industry practices regarding the end-of-life of video games. EGDF advocates for a code of conduct that addresses consumer protection and facilitates the transfer of games to memory institutions for preservation. They emphasize that while a blanket legal obligation to keep all games playable is not viable, proactive best practices for game preservation are crucial for cultural heritage.
The EU won't pursue a mandatory game preservation law
The European Commission has stated it will not pursue a mandatory law for video game preservation. The commission cited existing copyright and intellectual property laws as sufficient, indicating no new legislation is planned.
Game Preservation Matters: Why Classic Games Are Disappearing | TAG
A significant portion of classic video games, estimated at 87% released before 2010, are no longer commercially available due to delisting and lack of preservation efforts. The US Copyright Office's denial of a petition for remote access for researchers highlights a systemic issue, with the industry lobbying group ESA actively opposing preservation. Organizations like the Video Game History Foundation and GOG are working to combat this cultural catastrophe, advocating for legal reform and offering DRM-free options.
Amnesty International reports unprecedented AI data theft and VPNs are more popular than ever
Amnesty International reports that generative AI companies like OpenAI, Google Gemini, and Midjourney are unlawfully scraping private data from the internet. This has led to a significant increase in VPN popularity, with searches for VPNs reaching unprecedented levels. The article discusses concerns about AI's impact on data privacy, copyright, and potential misuse for manipulation.
Are Emulators Legal? Everything You Need to Know in 2026 | TAG
Emulators are legal in the US, a fact established by court cases like Sega v. Accolade and Sony Computer Entertainment v. Connectix. However, downloading ROMs of games you do not own is copyright infringement, and the legal landscape for current-generation consoles like the Nintendo Switch is complicated by DMCA Section 1201, which prohibits circumventing technological protection measures. Nintendo actively targets emulator developers and ROM distribution sites, not individual users of retro emulators.
No, that "Lenovo" retro handheld seemingly filled with illegal ROMs at Aliexpress isn't fake
Lenovo has confirmed that a retro handheld sold on AliExpress under its brand, the "G02," is officially licensed but produced through a regional agreement for the China market only. The device has drawn scrutiny due to concerns that it comes pre-loaded with illegal ROMs, a practice common with similar devices from third-party sellers. Lenovo is reportedly investigating the use of its brand in connection with these potentially infringing games.
Evening Legal Briefs
A judge has delayed the approval of Anthropic's $1.5 billion copyright settlement, indicating that the legal proceedings are becoming complicated. The settlement involves a significant copyright dispute that is now facing further scrutiny.
The Best Retro Handhelds Under $100: Anbernic vs. Miyoo vs. Powkiddy (2026) | TAG
This guide compares the best retro handheld gaming devices available for under $100, focusing on brands like Anbernic, Miyoo, and Powkiddy. It highlights the Miyoo Mini Plus as the overall best for its pocketability and OnionOS software, the Anbernic RG35XX H for analog stick users, the TrimUI Smart Pro S for PSP emulation, and the Anbernic RG CubeXX for its unique square screen ideal for Game Boy games. The article also explains emulation basics, the importance of custom firmware, and the legalities surrounding ROMs.
Evening Legal Briefs
Members of Parliament have accused Grand Theft Auto 6 developer Rockstar Games of obstructing legal proceedings related to alleged 'union-busting' dismissals. The article also briefly mentions Canada's examination of AI copyright rules and social media age limits.
Morning Legal Briefs
This article discusses potential risks to digital liberty posed by a Utah law, drawing parallels to Sony's past struggles with internet piracy and copyright lawsuits. It also briefly mentions a dispute involving Dua Lipa and Samsung.