Epic Games, Nintendo, PlayStation: New US Law Brings Digital Ownership Transparency

Thursday, 26 September 2024, 22:53

Epic Games, Nintendo, PlayStation, and others are now required to clarify digital ownership rights. A pivotal new US law mandates that digital storefronts inform consumers if the games they purchase are truly owned or merely licensed. This regulatory shift comes after widespread consumer concerns regarding digital game ownership prompted action from lawmakers.
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Epic Games, Nintendo, PlayStation: New US Law Brings Digital Ownership Transparency

New Legislation on Digital Ownership Rights

Epic Games, Nintendo, PlayStation, and Ubisoft are all set to face changes due to a recent legal update. In a bid to enhance consumer transparency, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law requiring digital storefronts to explicitly state whether buyers genuinely own their games or if they only possess a time-limited license.

The Rationale Behind the Law

  • This law emerges from significant public frustration over digital ownership.
  • Notable incidents, such as Ubisoft's removal of The Crew from player libraries, highlighted the need for clearer guidelines.
  • The law aims to prevent deceptive advertising practices concerning digital goods.

Impact on Digital Storefronts

From now on, companies like Nintendo, PlayStation, and Steam must alert customers when they purchase games that may not remain accessible indefinitely. This requirement serves to protect consumers by ensuring they're aware that their games could be removed, similar to what happened with the Nintendo eShop.

Exemptions and Future Implications

Interestingly, the new measure excludes storefronts that enable permanent downloads to an external source. While currently localized to California, this regulation may inspire similar laws across the country and even internationally.


This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.


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