3 ms·

The DMCA allows reverse engineering of copy-protected code for abandonware. As a copyright holder you’re not necessarily obligated to maintain working game serv

The DMCA allows reverse engineering of copy-protected code for abandonware. As a copyright holder you’re not necessarily obligated to maintain working game services, but if you sell a multiplayer game and abandon it, it’s basically free rein for others to make it work again.

acdha 3y ago
> if you sell a multiplayer game and abandon it, it’s basically free rein for others to make it work again. The more functionality there is on the server (common for anti-piracy/cheating) the less likely that is to happen. I’d like to see that change, reflecting that the idea behind things like the DMCS preservation exceptions and copyright expiring is contributing to the public commons and that’s different for running code than earlier forms of media.
boppo1 3y ago
So we can play ut24k online again? Someone could setup a master server list?
- semiquaver 3y ago
  No. The exemption only applies to circumventing access controls related to authentication servers that gate access to single player modes. Duplicating online multiplayer functionality (which was proposed and rejected because of industry opposition) is not in scope of the exemption so would not be protected against liability. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/10/victory-users-librarian-congress-renews-and-expands-protections-fair-uses https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/10/victory-users-libraria...
semiquaver 3y ago
To clarify, the DMCA does no such thing. The exemptions you refer to are the result of the Librarian of Congress exercising a statutory “fail-safe” role to specify circumstances that the (otherwise very broad) anti-circumvention provisions in the DMCA will be construed not to apply to. https://copyright.gov/1201/2015/fedreg-publicinspectionFR.pdf https://copyright.gov/1201/2015/fedreg-publicinspectionFR.pd...
- EvanAnderson 3y ago
  It's also important to note that exemptions granted under this mechanism expire after 3 years unless renewed. When the exemption expires the exempted activity becomes an infringing activity again.
- kmeisthax 3y ago
  Furthermore, these exemptions only cover unlocking DRM - not providing the unlock tools, which is illegal in all circumstances. Yes, you are really expected to reverse-engineer and decrypt everything yourself. DMCA 1201 is a really fucking stupid law.

acdha 3y ago

> if you sell a multiplayer game and abandon it, it’s basically free rein for others to make it work again. The more functionality there is on the server (common for anti-piracy/cheating) the less likely that is to happen. I’d like to see that change, reflecting that the idea behind things like the DMCS preservation exceptions and copyright expiring is contributing to the public commons and that’s different for running code than earlier forms of media.

boppo1 3y ago

So we can play ut24k online again? Someone could setup a master server list?

semiquaver 3y ago
No. The exemption only applies to circumventing access controls related to authentication servers that gate access to single player modes. Duplicating online multiplayer functionality (which was proposed and rejected because of industry opposition) is not in scope of the exemption so would not be protected against liability. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/10/victory-users-librarian-congress-renews-and-expands-protections-fair-uses https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/10/victory-users-libraria...

semiquaver 3y ago

To clarify, the DMCA does no such thing. The exemptions you refer to are the result of the Librarian of Congress exercising a statutory “fail-safe” role to specify circumstances that the (otherwise very broad) anti-circumvention provisions in the DMCA will be construed not to apply to. https://copyright.gov/1201/2015/fedreg-publicinspectionFR.pdf https://copyright.gov/1201/2015/fedreg-publicinspectionFR.pd...

EvanAnderson 3y ago
It's also important to note that exemptions granted under this mechanism expire after 3 years unless renewed. When the exemption expires the exempted activity becomes an infringing activity again.
kmeisthax 3y ago
Furthermore, these exemptions only cover unlocking DRM - not providing the unlock tools, which is illegal in all circumstances. Yes, you are really expected to reverse-engineer and decrypt everything yourself. DMCA 1201 is a really fucking stupid law.