Legislation
Ongoing coverage on Legislation.
Latest coverage
California Protect Our Games Act backed by Stop Killing Games passes key hurdle
The California Protect Our Games Act, backed by Stop Killing Games, has passed a key hurdle in the California State Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill aims to amend laws to prevent developers from completely removing access to digital games, requiring notice for server shutdowns and options for continued play or refunds. The Entertainment Software Association has lobbied against the bill, which now moves forward to the assembly floor.
Stop Killing Games says age verification laws make game preservation ‘harder or even impossible’
The Stop Killing Games movement argues that age verification laws will make game preservation more difficult or impossible, particularly for fan-run servers. They contend that these laws create new gatekeepers and collect sensitive data without addressing root causes of online harm. Separately, the Entertainment Software Association opposes a California bill requiring advance notice for online game service closures, stating it could hinder new game development.
California bill pushing to keep games playable after server shutdowns "doesn't reflect how games actually work", ESA assert
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) opposes a California bill, AB 1921, that would require game publishers to offer playable versions or refunds when shutting down online game servers. The ESA argues the bill doesn't reflect current game development realities and could stifle innovation. The 'Stop Killing Games' campaign supports the bill, advocating for a fair end-of-life framework for online games.
ESA Says Bill Pushing For Offline Versions Of Live-Service Games Would Hurt Developers
The Entertainment Software Association is opposing California Assembly Bill 1921, which would require developers of live-service games to provide advance notice of server shutdowns, offer refunds, and potentially make games playable offline. The ESA argues this legislation would divert resources from creating new content and doesn't reflect the realities of modern game development.
The U.S. Senate bans its members from trading on prediction markets
The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a ruling that bans its members from trading on prediction markets. This decision aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest and maintain ethical standards within the legislative body.
Maine governor vetoes bill temporarily banning large data centers in the state
Maine Governor Janet Mills has vetoed a bill that would have temporarily banned the construction of large data centers in the state until 2027. While she supported a moratorium, the governor wanted an exemption for an existing project. Mills plans to issue an executive order to create a data center coordination council and has signed a separate bill prohibiting data centers from state tax incentive programs.
Turkiye passes legislation to tighten its grip on Steam and other gaming platforms, but it's social media companies…
Turkiye's parliament has approved new legislation that will impose stricter regulations on gaming platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store. The bill, part of a broader push to protect children, includes requirements for age ratings, parental tools, and data sharing with authorities. While platforms face penalties for non-compliance, they will not be banned outright, though social media companies face more severe consequences.
Colorado Age Attestation bill gets amendments to have open source excluded
System76 Founder and CEO Carl Richell provided an update on the Colorado Age Attestation bill, announcing amendments that exclude open-source operating systems and applications, code repositories, and containers. Richell is seeking stories from the open-source community about positive contributions made by children to aid in the bill's passage and potentially serve as a template for similar legislation in other states.
Stop Killing Games Movement Hits European Parliament – And This Time, It’s Serious | Invision Game Community
The Stop Killing Games movement has brought the issue of digital ownership and game preservation to the European Parliament. The movement, led by Ross Scott, argues that when publishers shut down servers for games that require them to function, players effectively lose access to products they have purchased. A key example cited is Ubisoft's decision to make The Crew unplayable after server shutdown, highlighting a lack of clear regulation and a potential legal grey area that benefits publishers.
US may force operating systems to have mandatory age verification, share info with third parties
A new bill in the US House, the "Parents Decide Act," proposes mandatory age verification for operating systems like Windows, Linux, and MacOS during installation and use. The bill, referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, would require users to provide their date of birth, with details on verification methods and data protection left to the committee. Concerns have been raised about potential privacy risks and the impact on open-source operating systems.
Morning Legal Briefs
A rebellion within the House Republican party has derailed the renewal of FISA legislation. The move by House GOP members has created uncertainty around the future of the surveillance program.
"I'd say mission achieved for this one": Stop Killing Games on the latest European Commission public hearing
Stop Killing Games founder Ross Scott and organizer Moritz Katzner attended a European Parliament hearing on the European Citizens Initiative Stop Destroying Videogames. Both participants expressed optimism about the positive reception from MEPs and the European Commission, viewing the hearing as a significant step in the legislative process for video game preservation.
US operating system age verification bill "Parents Decide Act" gets published
The "Parents Decide Act," a proposed US federal bill for operating system age verification, has been published. The bipartisan legislation requires users to confirm they are over 18, with parental verification for minors, and mandates secure data storage and parental controls for application developers. The bill's broad definition of operating systems and providers could significantly impact privacy and user control.
Morning Legal Briefs
Anthropic is opposing an AI liability bill that OpenAI has backed, indicating a division in the industry regarding AI regulation. The article also briefly mentions a legal case involving OpenAI's Sam Altman.
Game History and Preservation
The organization Stop Killing Games is supporting a California bill aimed at forcing companies to maintain game functionality. This initiative seeks to address the growing issue of game preservation by ensuring that purchased titles remain playable.
Stop Killing Games throw weight behind California bill that would force companies to either keep games working independently after server shutdowns or issue refunds
The campaign group Stop Killing Games is supporting a new bill in California called the 'Protect our Games Act'. This legislation would require game companies to either ensure server-connected games can function independently after support ends or issue full refunds to consumers. The group is also actively involved in similar efforts in the UK and Europe.
AI Yi-Yi!
OpenAI has expressed support for a bill that could limit its liability in cases of AI-enabled mass deaths or financial disasters. This move raises concerns about accountability and the potential for AI to cause widespread harm without legal repercussions for the developers.
Debian Linux waiting on further info for how age verification will affect it
The Debian Linux team is monitoring new age verification laws, such as California's AB 1043 and a law in Brazil, to understand their potential impact on free software operating systems. Project leader Andreas Tille stated that the implications for a decentralized, volunteer-driven project like Debian are unclear, with potential obligations likely falling on commercial redistributors.
Austria is pursuing a social media ban for kids under 14
Austria is introducing a comprehensive set of measures to protect minors from social media harms, including a ban for children under 14. An official bill is expected by the end of June, with improved media literacy and clear rules for platforms also planned. This initiative follows similar actions or considerations in countries like Australia, Spain, the UK, and Indonesia.
Senator Bernie Sanders announces bill to pause US data center construction: 'AI and robotics will impact our economy, our democracy, our privacy rights... even our very survival as human beings on this planet'
Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have introduced the AI Data Center Moratorium Act, proposing a pause on new data center construction in the US. The bill aims to establish national safeguards for AI development, addressing concerns about economic impact, privacy, misinformation, and environmental costs associated with AI's growing energy and water demands.
