[csnover]

In the United States, the 2021 DMCA anti-circumvention exemptions do include this case[0]:

> (17)(i) Video games in the form of computer programs embodied in physical or downloaded formats that have been lawfully acquired as complete games, when the copyright owner or its authorized representative has ceased to provide access to an external computer server necessary to facilitate an authentication process to enable gameplay, solely for the purpose of: (A) Permitting access to the video game to allow copying and modification of the computer program to restore access to the game for personal, local gameplay on a personal computer or video game console;

However, these rules are currently renewed every three years, instead of being permanent, so it could not be the case in the future.

[0] https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2021-23311.pdf

[breakingcups]

> However, these rules are currently renewed every three years, instead of being permanent, so it could not be the case in the future.

That's a lovely meta-commentary on this situation. Not just the DRM domains expire, so do the laws that allow their circumvention when they do!

[kmeisthax]

Furthermore, the DMCA 1201 exemption process only applies to the act of applying a crack to a game, not the act of distributing it. So if a game's DRM fails the only legal way to make use of the exemption is to figure out how to break the DRM yourself - you can't distribute the resulting cracking tool to anyone without violating DMCA 1201, even if it has a lawful use.