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Most Linux Games in Germany on Restricted List

Posted by timothy on from the wie-alt-sind-sie-wirklich dept.

mocm writes "Starting on April 1st (no joke) most Linux Games in Germany are on the restricted list (no public advertising, no display, must be 18 or older to buy). That's because the new law requires an age certificate. Applying for the certificate requires a fee, which would be to much for the small publishers. There is a story in German at Linux Magazin and a statement by the online store Ixsoft, who even applied for a certificate for the game Uplink and have a list of restricted games." So it's not just Command & Conquer.

19 of 27 comments (clear)

  1. Anyone help me by Loosewire · · Score: 1

    Are there any countries thease days that are remotely livable, sensible laws nice climate (cool :-) and of course widespread broadband??
    probly somewhere around the netherlands im guessing?

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    1. Re:Anyone help me by Loosewire · · Score: 1

      yes actually, i would never have considered it a few years ago but im comming round to the idea :)
      They have quite a few sensible laws (eg if a burgler injurs/kills himself while on your property its classed as an occupational hazard, where as here in the uk he can sue you :-(

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    2. Re:Anyone help me by Loosewire · · Score: 1

      How about no? i mean , the US is a great country so is the UK (where i live) but they both seem to be controlled by fools and the law's make no sense *cough* DMCA.... i want to be somewhere where we dont have to ever use the phrase "another victory for common sense" beacuse it would be the norm.
      Was it about 4 years added to any crime you commit which involves encryption?

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    3. Re:Anyone help me by corbettw · · Score: 1

      Near the Netherlands? I thought you said "nice climate"?

      You don't mean Sealand, do you?

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    4. Re:Anyone help me by Tombstone-f · · Score: 1

      I think he means Sealab.

      Shut up Dolphin Boy!

    5. Re:Anyone help me by freestyle-fiend · · Score: 1

      As a resident of Britain I can recommend... Switzerland and Norway. Both are not EU members, so they are free from requirements to implement DMCA-like laws and seem to be quite nice places to live generally. They seem like the kind of technologically advanced and well organised places that would have widespread broadband. Norway is quite far north and a substantial amount of Switzerland is cool due to high altitude.

    6. Re:Anyone help me by Loosewire · · Score: 1

      cool is better, im always too warm :)

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  2. Shame by rf0 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The one area Linux really lags for me is games. I'm sorry to say but Windows does beat Linux here. Even with things like WineX things are still to patchy. I'm afraid that this isn't really going to help things.

    Rus

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  3. Anime by lowtekneq · · Score: 1

    Same bullshit you get over here in the US with Anime to some degree.

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  4. Re:So what? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative
    Selling most GPL'd games would be illegal anyway if you wanted to make any sort of profit.

    WTF? You can sell GPL stuff for profit. Read the license.

  5. 3 comments already! by tweder · · Score: 1

    Isn't that about how many commercial games are currently available for Linux?

    Seriously, why does this matter? Chances are more likely than not, the young impressionable kids who are being "protected" by this are using a Windows PC for playing games anyway.

    1. Re:3 comments already! by Loosewire · · Score: 1


      Seriously, why does this matter? Chances are more likely than not, the young impressionable kids who are being "protected" by this are using a Windows PC for playing games anyway.

      And using it to play Gta3 no doubt

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  6. What a great idea! by lightspawn · · Score: 1

    We should definitely embrace this idea, and extend it to books, movies, movies, pictures, sculptures etc.

    Won't submit your work for rating? We'll make sure kids don't be exposed to it by mistake and hurt their tiny little souls.

  7. Damn! by cjpez · · Score: 1

    How are Germans going to find out about Frozen Bubble without being exposed to the huge volume of Frozen Bubble ads on TV and radio and billboards and.... What was that? Oh.

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  8. Linux distros by JohnFluxx · · Score: 1

    So can shops display linux distro's? (assumming it contains a game, which is most likely does)

    1. Re:Linux distros by spectral · · Score: 1

      I just think it'd be funny that if this were the case, then windows would also have to be certified as safe for all ages, since it includes such things as solitaire. Even better if they haven't yet been certified as such, and would have to be stuck in the 18 and over section :)

  9. Re:So what? by John+Hasler · · Score: 2, Informative

    > Selling most GPL'd games would be illegal anyway
    > if you wanted to make any sort of profit...

    This is not true. You may sell GPL software for whatever the market will bear. You are merely required to license the software to your customers under the terms of the GPL.

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  10. oh no what next by sydres · · Score: 1

    public book burnings while goosestepping morons parade for "Mein Fuhrer" come on now Germany,aren't you part of the free world after all, well aren't you? sorry about the trolling

  11. Well, even if I DID live in Germany... by archnerd · · Score: 1

    I'm pretty sure neither nethack nor freeciv nor frotz is on the restricted list, so I guess I'm safe ;-)