Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition Team

December 15, 2008 -

Barack Obama does not take office until January 20th, but the video game industry is already lobbying the President-elect, via an intermediary.

The game industry's issue, at this point, is copyright protection. Along with the likes of the RIAA (music biz) and MMPA (movie biz), video game publishers trade group the Entertainment Software Association belongs to an organization known as the International Intellectual Property Alliance. It is the IIPA which is doing the actual lobbying.

Toward that end, the IIPA has provided the Obama team with its list of Copyright Industry Global Challenges for 2008, and is believed to have met with them as well. For its part, the Obama team, in an effort at greater government transparency, has listed all outside lobbying efforts - including the IIPA's - at its remarkable Change.gov website.

Among the game-related concerns cited in the document are:

  • Internet-based piracy
  • Optical disc piracy
  • End-user piracy
  • Cartridge-based video game piracy
  • Open access to foreign markets

GP: There's nothing new or especially egregious in the IIPA document - unlike the MPAA's separate effort to convince Obama to adopt IP enforcement measures which would essentially throw consumers' due process rights under a bus.


Comments

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

Almost all of it was about them protectign their wallets, none of it about the constant attacks from polichickens, or all the false data used to make them and their customers look like subhuman monsters... No,m just more moves to make themselves look better and make those who pay them look even more like subhuman animals.

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

You know.. here's the thing.  I was one of those people curbing my Music Purchasing habits.  iTunes was too restrictive and other programs were just laughably retarded.  Then Amazon came along.  I went from buying 3-6 CDs a year tops to now buying 8-10 a month (many on the daily deal) even stuff I wasn't sure if I'd like or not.  It's not a triumph of the RIAA somehow shaking the fear into me but this...

1.  Most stuff on Amazon is fairly priced.  Explain to me how the $5 collection CDs on Best Buy and Walmart racks are somehow $9.99 as a standard flat flee in iTunes?  I won't pay $10 for Get a Grip by Aerosmith in iTunes but damned if I won't snag it in a heartbeat for $3.99 if it ever goes on Daily Deal.

2.  I'm not treated like a criminal.  My PC doesn't need to be validated and licensed in a central database before I can use the shit I paid for.  I'm not told where I can and cannot put these files and likewise I don't have to prctically hack or rerecord the files just to make them open for all my devices.  If I want Audiosurf to use the stuff bought of iTunes, I should NOT have to burn then rip the MP3s because they keep their files copy protected from their own customers.

3.  It goes wherever I want it to and doesn't bitch.  As a guy who transplanted ~200 songs onto my PS3 for Wipeout HD, it's a blessing to see it all work without any comlaints unlike the one I brought from iTunes where the console won't play it because in laymans terms, "they don't even want to fuck with Apple."

Now, look at the above and notice how dramatically different the ESA wants things.  ust this week I went from waiting on Prince of Persia until it was cheap to buying the PC version because Ubisoft shipping without DRM was a move I wanted to support.

Wall of Text Simulation- Insert coin to continue.

Wall of Text Simulation- Insert coin to continue.

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

Volume sales will hopfully save digital distrobution they will see the merit in low cost high volume sales one day....
=================================
Pirates,Shearers,Lenders and downloaders are not a market that can be taped by the mainstream.
---------------------------------
I is fuzzy brained mew =^^=
http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/


Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Let's renegotiate them.

---

http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

Oh lord I has this for the left/right fundies out thar.

“Ultra liberal fascists(who people confuse with normal liberals) wish to restrict public rights on the basis of their interpretation of "what is fair" while pushing for a thought police tribunal so adults don't have to act like adults.

Neo conservatives  (IE neo fascists, the fake conservatives on the ultra right) wish to restrict public rights under the guise of "protection", religion and more power for themselfs.

So I give a big "zeig heil" to our modern day fascists.”


=================================
Pirates,Shearers,Lenders and downloaders are not a market that can be taped by the mainstream.
---------------------------------
I is fuzzy brained mew =^^=
http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/


Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Let's renegotiate them.

---

http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

    * Internet-based piracy: Requires a tiered net as so authorities can track and fine individuals.
    * Optical disc piracy: Null issue Illicit profit is a real crime cover under current law.
    * End-user piracy: Fair use trumps infinite CP.
    * Cartridge-based video game piracy: See above.
    * Open access to foreign markets: Stop regioning practices and sell to the world wide market as a whole.

 

 

So basically stop whining and get out of the racket business…


=================================
Pirates,Shearers,Lenders and downloaders are not a market that can be taped by the mainstream.
---------------------------------
I is fuzzy brained mew =^^=
http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/


Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Let's renegotiate them.

---

http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

I do love the  Change.gov website.  It's already revealed the MPAA's BS, which I hope is enough for them to back off on it.  Hell hath no fury like the combined nerd rage of millions of internet users.

Pretty cut and dry for the most part with regards to game IP "theft".  I'll be more worried when they list detailed plans for how to combat it, as I'm expecting it to be something along the lines of "sue the pants off of them based on little or no verifiable evidence".  In our current climate, though, I'm not expecting this to be a big issue or to get Obama/Biden's notice just yet.  There's way too many important issues for them to deal with and I'd be surprised if IP issues took center stange early on in their first term.

Now later on in the term, or during their possible second term, it's a bit more of a reality.  We'll just have to wait and see I guess.

 

Tea and cake or death! Tea and cake or death! Little Red Cook-book! Little Red Cook-book!

Tea and cake or death! Tea and cake or death! Little Red Cook-book! Little Red Cook-book!

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

Die, ESA.

Obama's platform is FAIR AND SANE copyright reform.

The exact quote from Change.gov is:

"Protect American Intellectual Property at Home: Update and reform our copyright and patent systems to promote civic discourse, innovation, and investment while ensuring that intellectual property owners are fairly treated."

FAIRLY TREATED does not mean you get free reign to sue your customers instead of adapting to change, it does not mean you get to snoop the internet and attempt to shut down anyone and anything you like, and it does NOT MEAN you get to spy on your customers via SecuROM and Starforce.

 

The sooner that the ESA, MPAA, and RIAA die from lack of members, the better.

Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?" Pinky: "I think so, Brain, but we're already naked."

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

Hahaah.  Yeah, fair and sane reforms.  Like the fairness doctrine.  OH WAIT.

Let's face it, all they have to do is buy Biden a few dinners and he'll help them fuck the consumers over some more.

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

This just in: Obama does NOT want to reinstate the fairness doctrine, so your precious Rush Limbaugh can shut the hell up.


Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?" Pinky: "I think so, Brain, but we're already naked."

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

Really?  I'm fairly certain I saw him on TV talking about it just a week or two ago. 

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

Something tells me it'd take a bit more than that. Biden's not a senator now, and he and Obama have bigger and more critical things to worry about.

-Gray17

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

Biden'll still be the same asshole willing to undermine the people's rights for a few fancy dinners.  People don't change.  ESPECIALLY not politicians.  They pretend to change, sure, but its a farce like most things they say.

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

Well, being Vice President basically politically neuters Biden, so stop whining.


Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?" Pinky: "I think so, Brain, but we're already naked."

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

Really?  That's funny, I didn't hear the same rhetoric about Palin.  Hmm.  A double standard, eh?
 

Besides, Obama claimed to have picked him for his 'experience', meaning he'll very likely be asking him for help

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

 "Besides, Obama claimed to have picked him for his 'experience', meaning he'll very likely be asking him for help"

Oh i see, NOW you believe in something Obama says... when he says something you might consider good its just lies and politics, but when he says something you see as a negative it must be true. Ah of course, that IS how these things work.

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Effort to Lobby Obama Transition

I'm saying the reason Obama claimed to have picked him, I'm not saying I believe it. I don't believe that having an entrenched politican (or, as Obama is forming, a group of them) is going to do anything positive for the country.  Of course, nor do I have faith in a man whose greatest political achievement is running for higher office.

Re: Video Game Biz Involved in Lobbying Obama Transition Team

Wee, lets rent our games instead of own them!

Nido Web Flash Tutorials AS2 and AS3 Tutorials for anyone interested.
How to set Xbox 360 Parental Controls

Nido Web Flash Tutorials AS2 and AS3 Tutorials for anyone interested.
How to set Xbox 360 Parental Controls
 
Forgot your password?
Username :
Password :

Shout box

You're not permitted to post shouts.
TechnogeekIf the developer were male there wouldn't have been a "conversation" in the first place.10/19/2014 - 2:27am
Montetrolls are just at their absolute worst when it comes to women and feminist. You could bet good money that if the developer were male the trolls would be silent and the conversation would actually focus on the journalism.10/18/2014 - 9:18pm
MontePapa: Not the first time we've had a journalism scandals before, but the harassment never got close to this level; the difference with this scandal is that feminists are involved. Without the feminist angle, their would be A LOT less harrassment10/18/2014 - 9:15pm
Papa MidnightMonte: That's honestly rather short-sighted. As has been proven with other persons who have been targeted, if it wasn't Quinn, it would be someone else.10/18/2014 - 6:26pm
AvalongodI think that's part of what gives an esoteric news story like this real life...it taps into a larger narrative about misogyny in society outside of games.10/18/2014 - 3:29pm
Avalongod@Monte, well the trolls made death threats that came to police (and media attention). I think this is tapping into a larger issue outside of games about how women are treated in society (like all the "real rape" stuff during the last election)10/18/2014 - 3:28pm
WonderkarpZippy : Havent tried the PS4 controller. might later.10/18/2014 - 2:37pm
MonteSeirously, If Quinn was not involved and GG was instead about something like the Mordor Marketing contracts, the trolling would have never grown so vile and disgusting. There have been plenty of movements in the past that never sufferred from behavior..10/18/2014 - 1:57pm
MonteWe have seen scandel's before but the trolling has never been as vile as what we see with GG. Trolls usually have such a tiny voice you can barely notice them, but its like moths to a flame whenever femistist are involved.10/18/2014 - 1:53pm
ZippyDSMleeWonderkarp: You might be able to if you had a PS4 controller.10/18/2014 - 1:00pm
MaskedPixelantehttp://store.steampowered.com/app/327940/ Night Dive starts charging for freeware.10/18/2014 - 12:21pm
Matthew Wilsonthe sad thing is there are trolls on both sides of this. people need to stop acting like their side is so pure.10/18/2014 - 12:19pm
MechaTama31So, only speak out on a scandal that hasn't attracted trolls? I wouldn't hold my breath...10/18/2014 - 10:49am
MonteI feel like GG just needs to die. The movement is FAR to tainted by hatred and BS for it to be useful for any conversation. Let GG die, and then rally behind the NEXT gaming journalism scandal, and start the conversation fresh.10/18/2014 - 10:33am
quiknkoldand we dont have a Dovakin to call a cease fire10/17/2014 - 7:37pm
quiknkoldThe whole thing is Futile. Both sides are so buried deep in their trenchs that there isnt a conversation. Its just Finger Pointing, Name Calling, Doxxing, Threats. there needs to be a serious conversation, and GG isnt it.10/17/2014 - 7:37pm
quiknkoldI thought it was a good article. Jeff is right. I feel like GamerGate did destroy its message. I am for Ethics in game journalism, but man. so much hate. and its on both sides. I've seen some awful stuff spewed on twitter. Its a big reason why I exited..10/17/2014 - 7:34pm
Matthew Wilsonwhile he focused on gg, he did call out both sides crap.10/17/2014 - 7:18pm
Papa MidnightThat was a damn good read offered by Jeff Gertsmann.10/17/2014 - 7:17pm
Matthew Wilsonhttp://www.giantbomb.com/articles/letter-from-the-editor-10-17-2014/1100-5049/ deferentially a nice write up.10/17/2014 - 6:44pm
 

Be Heard - Contact Your Politician