this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2023
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Is there no sort of common property library of video games?
I feel like after 20 years a video game should become common property for people to download and enjoy for free.
Best I can do is 70 years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain
70 years after the death of the author or 120 years, whichever is less. We can thank Disney for that one.
Who is the author of a video game, however? It's a collaborative effort of hundreds of people, sometimes.
It's a good point that certainly complicates things. Thanks to your comment, I also found this!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property_protection_of_video_games
I think the Copyright section has good related information.
But I thought the Mickey mouse protection act has only served to increase the diversity, well-being and development of artists everywhere!
Right?
Or is the reality that Disney and Warner can just buy all the art rights, sitting on those for the next hundred years in an endless cycle of power and wealth consolidation?
Nobody saw that coming at all.
Right?
I'm pretty sure the system has been severely skewed unfavorably for normal people.
Should also add an addendum where if the developer and/or publisher goes out of business, that should also apply.
They certainly wouldn't be making any money off it afterwards.