The US Copyright Office has denied a request to allow remote access to out-of-print video games, a decision that impacts video game preservation efforts. The request, supported by the Video Game History Foundation and the Software Preservation Network, aimed to let libraries and archives digitally share these games with researchers. However, the Copyright Office ruled against it, citing potential market harm and copyright concerns.Key PointsDenial of Exemption: The request sought an exemption under the DMCA to enable remote access to preserved games. The Copyright Office found that proponents did not sufficiently demonstrate that such uses would be noninfringing or fair.Opposition
"I was there, in those dark days. I was leading the charge, on my hoverbike, jumping over chasms filled with brains, narrowly avoiding flashing arbitrarily-placed rock slabs. I fought and killed a giant rat. But I lost my brother, the big pimply galoot he was. To this day, every time I close my eyes, I can hear that beat. The beat of Battle.
Toads."