California's New Law Clarifies Digital Game Ownership
A new California law, AB 2426, mandates greater transparency from digital game stores like Steam and Epic regarding game ownership. Effective next year, these platforms must clearly state whether a purchase grants ownership or merely a license.
The law aims to combat misleading advertising of digital goods, explicitly defining "game" to encompass applications accessed via various devices, including add-ons and DLC. Stores must use prominent, easily visible language – larger font size, contrasting colors, or distinct symbols – to inform consumers of the licensing nature of their purchases.
Violation of the law carries potential civil penalties or misdemeanor charges. The act specifically prohibits advertising or selling digital products as offering "unrestricted ownership" unless explicitly stated otherwise. Terms like "buy" or "purchase" can only be used if the limitations on access are clearly communicated.
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin highlighted the importance of consumer protection in the increasingly digital marketplace. She emphasized the common misconception that digital purchases grant permanent ownership, similar to physical media. In reality, these often grant only a revocable license.
Subscription services like Game Pass and the implications for offline game copies remain unclear under this legislation. This ambiguity follows comments from a Ubisoft executive who suggested gamers should become accustomed to the concept of not "owning" games in the traditional sense, given the rise of subscription models.
The law's focus is on ensuring consumers understand the nature of their digital purchases, preventing situations where access to paid-for games is unexpectedly revoked, as seen with Ubisoft's removal of The Crew series. This new law represents a significant step towards clarifying consumer rights in the digital gaming sphere.
