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Comment by stale2002

21 hours ago

Force them to release it anyway. By law.

Incredible. Let's just upend well established rights to agency because you really like video games.

  • This is how literally all laws work. By default, you can do whatever you'd like. Some things leave others feeling they've been harmed, cheated, etc. so we pass laws saying you may not do those things.

    People were pointing out the issues with DRM 20+ years ago, but it was largely a theoretical concern at the time for most people. Now it's more real in exactly the way people said it would be (oops, your new computer doesn't have a CD drive, and newer windows doesn't allow the old DRM drivers anyway so your old games are unusable. Better buy our new digital version again. Oops we've decided to remove your access to the new digital version. No refunds.) for them, so the idea of passing laws against it is gaining popularity.

  • The dinosaurs have been given their free handouts for too long.

    What I care about is consumers, not the protectionist racket.

    If they don't like it, well there are tons of indie game studios who are taking advantage of the lastest technology to build good games.

  • Yes, why not? As those rights are set by law, they can be changed by law.

    "To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries."

    Unlike freedom of speech, this right is intended to be limited in scope and duration. So let’s promote that progress! While we’re at it, we can reduce the length of copyright altogether.

    Frankly this bill should be extended to cover similar situations in business and consumer software, etc. Abandonware has always been a legally murky area.

    • You’re confusing two things. It’s very different to change or reduce the IP protections companies have.

      It’s entirely another to force them or restrict them from engaging in transactions between consenting parties that do not infringe on a third party.

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