Post
Riot Games, Small business owners declare 'all-out war' over PC Bang access ban controversyRiot Games notified of a price increase for a specific game and a ban on PC cafe access, leading to a declaration of all-out war by PC cafe owners nationwide in protest. They strongly condemned this as an act that infringes upon the survival rights of the Korean PC cafe industry and the users' freedom of choice.
1. PC Cafe Industry Protests Riot Games' Unilateral Price Hike and Access Ban
· Approximately 7,000 small business owners of PC cafes nationwide have stated they cannot accept Riot Games' notification of a 15% price increase for a specific game.
· When some PC cafes declared their withdrawal from paid services in protest of the price hike, Riot Games notified them that their game access would be blocked. This means users can access the game from home with their personal accounts but cannot access it from specific PC cafes.
· When some PC cafes declared their withdrawal from paid services in protest of the price hike, Riot Games notified them that their game access would be blocked. This means users can access the game from home with their personal accounts but cannot access it from specific PC cafes.
00:03 - 00:46
1. PC Cafe Industry Protests Riot Games' Unilateral Price Hike and Access Ban
· Approximately 7,000 small business owners of PC cafes nationwide have stated they cannot accept Riot Games' notification of a 15% price increase for a specific game.
· When some PC cafes declared their withdrawal from paid services in protest of the price hike, Riot Games notified them that their game access would be blocked. This means users can access the game from home with their personal accounts but cannot access it from specific PC cafes.
· When some PC cafes declared their withdrawal from paid services in protest of the price hike, Riot Games notified them that their game access would be blocked. This means users can access the game from home with their personal accounts but cannot access it from specific PC cafes.
00:47 - 01:24
2. PC Cafe Industry Refutes Riot Games' Claims of 'Abnormal Toll' and 'IP Misappropriation'
· The president of the Korea Internet PC Culture Association criticized Riot Games for holding users hostage, stating that they are being told they cannot operate in Korea unless they agree to unilaterally created unfair terms.
· They argued that it is clear national discrimination and disrespect towards Korean small business owners to demand an hourly license fee only from Korean PC cafes, even though League of Legends is a game enjoyed for free by people worldwide.
· Furthermore, regarding the excuse of 'IP misappropriation' by treating PC cafes as distributors, they countered that PC cafes are facilities that have obtained legitimate licenses under the Game Industry Promotion Act, and it is not IP misappropriation for customers to use the game with their personal accounts.
· They pointed out that this forced payment structure deprives users of their freedom of choice and increases the burden of PC cafe usage fees.
· They argued that it is clear national discrimination and disrespect towards Korean small business owners to demand an hourly license fee only from Korean PC cafes, even though League of Legends is a game enjoyed for free by people worldwide.
· Furthermore, regarding the excuse of 'IP misappropriation' by treating PC cafes as distributors, they countered that PC cafes are facilities that have obtained legitimate licenses under the Game Industry Promotion Act, and it is not IP misappropriation for customers to use the game with their personal accounts.
· They pointed out that this forced payment structure deprives users of their freedom of choice and increases the burden of PC cafe usage fees.
01:25 - 02:01
3. PC Cafe Industry Declares 'All-Out War' on Riot Games and Urges Government Investigation into Unfair Practices
· The director of the Korea Internet PC Cooperative urged Riot Games to stop its anti-market hostage situation of 'blocking access to free games' and to prepare a win-win plan that aligns with global standards.
· They warned that if their demands are not met, they will not stop fighting until Riot Games completely withdraws from Korea.
· Additionally, they urged the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Fair Trade Commission, the relevant government bodies, to immediately launch an ex officio investigation into the unfair terms and exploitative practices of a global corporation, and requested the establishment of legal measures to protect small business owners and users.
· They warned that if their demands are not met, they will not stop fighting until Riot Games completely withdraws from Korea.
· Additionally, they urged the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Fair Trade Commission, the relevant government bodies, to immediately launch an ex officio investigation into the unfair terms and exploitative practices of a global corporation, and requested the establishment of legal measures to protect small business owners and users.
02:02 - 02:09
4. Future Direction of the Struggle and Emphasis on the Government's Role
· They stated that this situation will serve as a historic milestone to change how game companies view Korean PC cafes, and they will fight to the end to protect their legitimate business rights and dignity.
· They emphasized that Korean PC cafes have always overcome difficulties by uniting strongly when external threats emerged, and this time will be no different as they will overcome this situation through solidarity.
· They emphasized that Korean PC cafes have always overcome difficulties by uniting strongly when external threats emerged, and this time will be no different as they will overcome this situation through solidarity.