Official announcements from the U.S. Copyright Office

U.S. Copyright Office Denies DMCA Exemption for Libraries to Lend Video Games via Remote Access

Oct 25, 2024, 08:13 PM

The U.S. Copyright Office has denied a request from video game preservationists to grant a DMCA exemption that would allow libraries, archives, and museums to lend video games via remote access for study purposes. This decision has sparked significant concern within the gaming community, particularly among those involved in game preservation and scholarship. The ruling stated that the proposed requirements for remote access were not specific enough to prevent potential market harms. Proponents had suggested human review of access requests to mitigate these concerns. This move has been criticized by various stakeholders who argue that it hinders the preservation of video game history and the ability to study older titles. The Video Game History Foundation expressed disappointment, noting that the decision negatively impacts the growing field of game scholarship. Publishers are worried that preserved video games would be used for recreational purposes.