VGHF criticizes the Copyright Office's decision on remote research access
Video Game History FoundationVideo-game preservation and research nonprofit
VGHF says it is disappointed by the decision, blames rightsholder lobbying for holding back progress and pledges continued advocacy for preservation access.
“Unfortunately, lobbying efforts by rightsholder groups continue to hold back progress.”
Official statement
Where this statement fits
Copyright Office rejects a remote research-access exemption for preserved video games
The 2024 copyright review rejected a proposed exemption for remote research access to preserved video games. Preservation advocates argue that screened access is needed for scholarship. ESA supports the decision and argues that the proposal did not adequately protect copyright interests.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
The foundation criticizes the refusal to expand the exemption and promises continued advocacy. Its account of ESA's position should be compared with the original hearing's qualifications.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
VGHF says it is disappointed by the decision but does not regret the petition process, citing its research finding that about 87 percent of U.S. games released before 2010 remain out of print.
After the quotation
VGHF says ESA told the hearing it would never support remote research access under any conditions, and pledges to continue advocating for preservation access.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to retaining the on-premises restriction, VGHF criticizes the outcome and the lobbying it says obstructed the requested expansion.
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More from this case
Read the full caseFrank Cifaldi condemns the remote game-research access decision
“This fails the needs of citizens in favor of a weak sauce argument from the industry, and it's really disappointing.”Read statement
Kendra Albert criticizes the evidence assessment in the game-preservation decision
“I do believe we made the best case we could that scholarly access to video games *that are not commercially available* does not harm the market. I do not believe that this evidence was seriously engaged with by the Copyright Office.”Read statement
ESA welcomes the Copyright Office's 2024 video-game preservation decision
Entertainment Software Association
“the U.S. Copyright Office confirms that the current level of video game preservation is appropriate”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "VGHF criticizes the Copyright Office's decision on remote research access". First published: 2026-10-21. Last updated: 2026-10-21. https://disputeindex.com/events/6346-vghf-says-it-is-disappointed-by-the-decision