Copyright Law
Ongoing coverage on Copyright Law.
Latest coverage
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.
Musisi Indonesia Berduka James F. Sundah Meninggal Dunia
Indonesian musician James F. Sundah has passed away at the age of 70 in New York. Known for the song 'Lilin Lilin Kecil' and as a staunch advocate for musicians' rights, his death was announced by his wife and has prompted widespread condolences from the Indonesian arts community. Sundah had been battling small cell lung cancer.
Pencipta Lagu Lilin Lilin Kecil James F. Sundah Meninggal Dunia
James F. Sundah, the legendary Indonesian songwriter best known for the song 'Lilin-Lilin Kecil,' passed away on May 7th at the age of 70 in New York. He had been battling small cell lung cancer and was undergoing treatment. Sundah was also recognized for his advocacy for musicians' rights and copyright law in Indonesia.
Video game lawyer implores devs to understand ownership and swerve generative AI
Video game lawyer Nick Allan advises independent developers to prioritize understanding intellectual property ownership and to avoid generative AI. He stressed the importance of written agreements with contractors and freelancers to secure IP rights. Allan also cautioned against using AI-generated assets due to potential ownership issues and difficulties in preventing copyright infringement.
Bored Ape NFT Lawsuit Settles, Affects Crypto Community
Yuga Labs has settled its copyright lawsuit against artists Ryder Ripps and Jeremy Cahen concerning the RR/BAYC NFT collection. The dispute centered on whether the collection constituted parody or infringed upon Yuga Labs' trademarks. The settlement prohibits Ripps and Cahen from using Yuga Labs' trademarks and imagery, setting a precedent for intellectual property rights in the NFT sector.
Sony hit with a lawsuit over a Fortnite dance
Sony Music Holdings is facing a lawsuit from choreographer Darrin Henson, who claims the company licensed his 'Bye, Bye, Bye' dance, famously used in the movie Deadpool & Wolverine and the game Fortnite, without his permission. Henson asserts he is the rightful owner of the choreography and seeks profits generated from its unauthorized use.
In the long list of awful things AI might lead to we can also add killing open-source software
Researchers Dylan Ayrey and Mike Nolan have demonstrated a method using AI to legally clone and relicense open-source software as proprietary. This "AI clean-rooming" raises significant concerns about the future of open-source development and copyright law. The article explores the implications and questions whether open-source software can survive this new technological capability.
The UK government backtracks on AI Copyright terms, somewhat saving gaming and other UK creatives – for now
The UK government has backtracked on its proposed copyright terms for Artificial Intelligence, creating ambiguity for the future of AI regulation and its impact on creative industries, including video games. The government's investigation into AI and copyright, which spanned from 2024 to early 2025, explored various options for data mining exceptions and licensing, aiming to balance AI innovation with the protection of creators' rights.
