So it happened again, Sleeping Dogs is being IP-blocked in germany, the same thing happened to Wolfenstein:TNO a few month ago. Some german fans fear that the same might happen to Killing Floor 2. So here is a simple explanation of the subject and why this IP-lock is not required in germany.
What is prohibitrunincountries?
Steam offers a new way for publishers to restrict steam users use of games in certain regions. This is "prohibitrunincountries". This is not the same as simply not offering to sell the uncensored version of a game (as done with killing floor ). This checks a users current IP and stops him from launching the game. We are calling this "geo-locking". If I import a game that is geo-locked I can not launch it without using a VPN for a country that does not have this restriction.
Where did this come from?
The first game to use prohibitrunincountries was Wolfenstein:TNO by Bethesda. Pre-release people noticed a "prohibitrunincountries" tag on SteamDB for the countries Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Japan and Italy. As feared, this makes it completely impossible to legally use an imported uncensored copy of the game inside these countries (using a VPN would violate the Steam TOS). Bethesda decided to block the uncensored version in mainly german speaking countries, aswell as Japan and Italy (for whatever reason ;)), with Germany being the only country that doesn't allow showing nazi-symbolism in games.
After some angry rants the lock was lifted for every country besides Germany.
This was a massive overreaction on Bethesdas part. Even in Germany there is no law banning the import and use of media showing extreme violence or nazi-symbolism, as long the import happens for personal use, and there is no reason for a publisher to actively deny access to such media. This lock only applies to the PC version, no such restriction exists on consoles.
§86 and §131 in the german criminal code
The laws §86 and §131 in the german criminal code are about the depiction of banned symbolism and violence and generally apply to any form of media.
§86, on showing banned symbolism of unconstitutional organisations states the following
As you can see, import is only illegal if intended for a use mentioned in No 1, which personal use is not part of.
A very similair law, §131, on dissemination of depictions of violence states the following
Again, the use of such media bought abroad and imported for personal use remains legal.
Aware of this, some tried to convince Bethesda to lift the IP-lock. Bethesda blamed steam for the lock, while Steam Support claimed this entirely being a publisher decision. In the end, nothing changed, Bethesda paid no attention to anyone trying to convince them that this is an unnecesarry hinderance to honest consumers who want to import the game. Bethesda argued that the import, even for personal use, would be illegal, even if §86 clearly states otherwise.
Dead Rising 3 and Capcom lifting their ban
A few month later the same thing happened with the PC release of Dead Rising 3 by Capcom. DR3 on the Xbox One was already banned so the PC version is likely to follow. Unlike Bethesda, Capcom did listen to the community and lifted the prohibitrunincountries restriction. This show that, Yes , this to 100% is a publisher decision and not imposed by steam as Bethesda attempted to make us believe. It also shows that, No , this lock is not required, unlike what Bethesda with their preemptive obedient legal department wanted us to believe.
Why am I posting this?
I have seen some discussion on the Steam Hub regarding this, with many people who are not from germany assuming things that are simply not true on what "banned" (or "beschlagnahmt") actually means for us. It does not mean that import and use of such games, or media in general, is illegal. Neither does it mean that publishers have to actively prevent us from using this media inside Germany. I hope that this clarifies some things for people who are not familair with the subject. The last thing I want to see is TWI to follow Bethesda and Square-Enix in doing the same irrational knee-jerk restriction.
What is prohibitrunincountries?
Steam offers a new way for publishers to restrict steam users use of games in certain regions. This is "prohibitrunincountries". This is not the same as simply not offering to sell the uncensored version of a game (as done with killing floor ). This checks a users current IP and stops him from launching the game. We are calling this "geo-locking". If I import a game that is geo-locked I can not launch it without using a VPN for a country that does not have this restriction.
Where did this come from?
The first game to use prohibitrunincountries was Wolfenstein:TNO by Bethesda. Pre-release people noticed a "prohibitrunincountries" tag on SteamDB for the countries Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Japan and Italy. As feared, this makes it completely impossible to legally use an imported uncensored copy of the game inside these countries (using a VPN would violate the Steam TOS). Bethesda decided to block the uncensored version in mainly german speaking countries, aswell as Japan and Italy (for whatever reason ;)), with Germany being the only country that doesn't allow showing nazi-symbolism in games.
After some angry rants the lock was lifted for every country besides Germany.
This was a massive overreaction on Bethesdas part. Even in Germany there is no law banning the import and use of media showing extreme violence or nazi-symbolism, as long the import happens for personal use, and there is no reason for a publisher to actively deny access to such media. This lock only applies to the PC version, no such restriction exists on consoles.
§86 and §131 in the german criminal code
The laws §86 and §131 in the german criminal code are about the depiction of banned symbolism and violence and generally apply to any form of media.
§86, on showing banned symbolism of unconstitutional organisations states the following
Quote:
(1) Whosoever 1. domestically distributes or publicly uses, in a meeting or in writtenmaterials (section 11(3)) disseminated by him, symbols of one of the parties or organisations indicated in section 86(1) Nos 1, 2 and 4; or 2. produces, stocks, imports or exports objects which depict or contain such symbols for distribution or use in Germany or abroad in a manner indicated in No 1, shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding three years or a fine. |
As you can see, import is only illegal if intended for a use mentioned in No 1, which personal use is not part of.
A very similair law, §131, on dissemination of depictions of violence states the following
Quote:
(1) Whosoever 1. disseminates written materials (section 11(3)), which describe cruel or otherwise inhuman acts of violence against humans or humanoid beings in a manner expressing glorification or which downplays such acts of violence or which represents the cruel or inhuman aspects of the event in a manner which violates human dignity; 2. publicly displays, posts, presents, or otherwise makes them accessible; 3. offers, supplies or makes them accessible to a person under eighteen years; or 4. produces, obtains, supplies, stocks, offers, announces, commends, undertakes to import or export them, in order to use them or copies obtained from them within the meaning of numbers 1 to 3 above or facilitate such use by another, shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine. |
Again, the use of such media bought abroad and imported for personal use remains legal.
Aware of this, some tried to convince Bethesda to lift the IP-lock. Bethesda blamed steam for the lock, while Steam Support claimed this entirely being a publisher decision. In the end, nothing changed, Bethesda paid no attention to anyone trying to convince them that this is an unnecesarry hinderance to honest consumers who want to import the game. Bethesda argued that the import, even for personal use, would be illegal, even if §86 clearly states otherwise.
Dead Rising 3 and Capcom lifting their ban
A few month later the same thing happened with the PC release of Dead Rising 3 by Capcom. DR3 on the Xbox One was already banned so the PC version is likely to follow. Unlike Bethesda, Capcom did listen to the community and lifted the prohibitrunincountries restriction. This show that, Yes , this to 100% is a publisher decision and not imposed by steam as Bethesda attempted to make us believe. It also shows that, No , this lock is not required, unlike what Bethesda with their preemptive obedient legal department wanted us to believe.
Why am I posting this?
I have seen some discussion on the Steam Hub regarding this, with many people who are not from germany assuming things that are simply not true on what "banned" (or "beschlagnahmt") actually means for us. It does not mean that import and use of such games, or media in general, is illegal. Neither does it mean that publishers have to actively prevent us from using this media inside Germany. I hope that this clarifies some things for people who are not familair with the subject. The last thing I want to see is TWI to follow Bethesda and Square-Enix in doing the same irrational knee-jerk restriction.
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