California's New Law Clarifies Digital Game Ownership
A new California law 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, AB 2426, aims to combat misleading advertising of digital goods, including video games and related applications. It defines a "game" broadly to encompass applications accessed on various devices. The law requires stores to use prominent language, specifying license agreements clearly and conspicuously. This includes using larger or contrasting font sizes and symbols to draw attention to the licensing information.
Violations could result in civil penalties or misdemeanor charges. The law also prohibits advertising digital goods as offering "unrestricted ownership" unless that is actually the case. The legislation emphasizes the importance of consumers understanding that they may not own the digital product, as access can be revoked by the seller at any time, unless it's a downloadable product viewable offline.
The law prohibits using terms like "buy" or "purchase" without explicitly clarifying that this doesn't equate to unrestricted ownership or access. Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin highlighted the need for consumer protection in the increasingly digital marketplace, stating the law aims to eliminate deceptive advertising practices.
Subscription services like Game Pass remain outside the law's scope, as do specifics regarding offline game copies. This leaves some ambiguity surrounding subscription models.
A Ubisoft executive previously suggested that gamers should become accustomed to not technically "owning" games, reflecting the shift towards subscription models. However, Assemblymember Irwin clarified that the law seeks to ensure consumers understand exactly what they are paying for, drawing a comparison to the permanent ownership associated with physical media like DVDs and books.
This new law represents a significant step towards greater consumer protection in the digital gaming landscape.
