California's New Law Demands Transparency in Digital Game Ownership
A groundbreaking law in California mandates increased transparency from digital game stores like Steam and Epic regarding game ownership. Effective next year, AB 2426 requires these platforms to clearly inform consumers whether their purchases grant ownership or merely a license to use the game. This move aims to combat misleading advertising and protect consumers from the misconception that they "own" digital goods.
The law specifies that clear and conspicuous language, notably larger or differently colored text, must be used to clarify the nature of the transaction. Failure to comply could result in civil penalties or misdemeanor charges. The legislation explicitly prohibits the use of terms like "buy" or "purchase" without explicitly stating the limitations on ownership. The law defines a "game" broadly to encompass applications accessed on various devices, including add-ons and additional content.
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin highlighted the increasing importance of consumer protection in the digital marketplace, emphasizing that consumers often mistakenly believe they own digital goods, similar to physical purchases. Irwin stressed that this law aims to rectify the common misunderstanding that purchasing a digital game grants perpetual ownership, clarifying that it typically only provides a license subject to the seller's terms and conditions. This license, the law highlights, can be revoked at any time by the seller.
However, the law's implications for subscription services like Game Pass remain unclear. The legislation doesn't explicitly address subscription models or offline game copies, leaving these areas open to interpretation. This ambiguity follows comments from a Ubisoft executive who suggested gamers should become accustomed to the concept of not technically "owning" their games, particularly in the context of subscription-based gaming. This perspective reflects a shifting industry landscape where access, rather than ownership, is increasingly central to the gaming experience. The new California law represents a significant step towards greater consumer protection and transparency in the digital gaming market, even if some aspects remain undefined.
