Controversies such as the one related to the closure of The Crew servers have put the debate on the table about the extent to which users own video games. In the case of the work of Ubisoftthe French company claims in its terms that we are only given a license to enjoy the open world.
Now, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law that aims to fight this dynamic. And, as reported from The Vergethis guideline requires digital stores to inform users that will obtain a license to use the digital medium and will not be the owners of the titles.
This rule only applies to video games that do not allow access to the content in case the online functions disappear and will begin to apply from 2025. In this way, companies will not be able to use terms such as “buy” or “acquire.” “and they will have to warn of all the restrictions that come with taking over their production. If they break the law, they could become fined for false advertising.
“The story that caught my attention on this issue was Sony’s announcement late last year that digital copies of content purchased from Discovery would be revoked,” says Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin, the main proponent of the legal text, to Game File.
Although this measure is aimed at any company, Irwin recognizes that movements such as those of Ubisoft, “further underlined how widespread this problem is.”
“As retailers continue to abandon the sale of physical media, the need to protect consumers when purchasing digital media is increasingly important. I thank the Governor for signing AB 2426, ensuring that false and misleading advertising of digital media sellers incorrectly telling consumers that they own their purchases may become a thing of the past.
Yes ok This law does not eliminate the root problemsince developers can continue without enabling an offline mode, at least it is a very important step forward. We will see if in the future this measure is extended to the rest of the United States or the European Union adopts similar legislation.
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