US Rep proposes bill to give video game buyers "ownership," not "a license"

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   US Rep Proposes Bill for Video Game Ownership

   US Representative Ritchie Torres has proposed the Power To The Players Act, a new piece of legislation aimed at securing true consumer ownership for video game buyers rather than the standard revocable licenses currently used by digital storefronts. The proposed law seeks to ban digital game licenses disguised as sales and would require publishers to keep video games functional even after official support ends. Torres described current digital acquisitions as rentals disguised as sales, stating that if consumers pay for a game, they should own it. The bill would also task the Federal Trade Commission with protecting digital game purchases, offline access, and consumer rights.

   Why it matters

   The push for legislative intervention in digital distribution follows growing frustration among gamers regarding the permanence of digital purchases and server shutdowns that render games unplayable. It also arrives months after European regulators rejected a massive petition demanding similar game-ownership protections. Significant technical and legislative hurdles remain ahead for the proposed US measure.

   What is confirmed

   • US Representative Ritchie Torres announced the Power To The Players Act.
   • The legislation aims to ensure video game buyers receive ownership rather than a license.
   • The bill would require publishers to keep games functional after support ends.
   • Rep. Ritchie Torres stated: If you pay for it, you own it.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The bill would task the Federal Trade Commission with protecting digital game purchases, offline access, and consumer rights.

   What to watch next

   • Formal introduction and text release of the Power To The Players Act in Congress
   • Response from major gaming publishers and digital storefront platforms
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. Ars Technica — US Rep proposes bill to give video game buyers "ownership," not "a license"
   2. House.gov — Rep. Torres Announces Power To The Players Act, Legislation to Ensure Gamers Own Their Games
   3. Engadget — NY Congressman To Introduce Bill Protecting Video Game Ownership
   4. Kotaku — Rep. Ritchie Torres Announces Congressional Legislation To Protect Video Game Ownership: 'If You Pay For It, You Own It'
   5. Tom's Hardware — New York rep announces game ownership bill that would require consumer ownership rather than sale of licenses — would also require publishers to keep the game functional after support ends
   6. HotHardware — Power To The Players Act Aims To Ban Digital Game Licenses Disguised As Sales
   7. Polygon.com — US Representative Introduces Plan To Preserve Digital Game Ownership
   8. Kotaku — How Should Video Game Ownership Work In An All-Digital Future?
   9. arstechnica.com — US Rep proposes bill to give video game buyers "ownership," not "a license" - Ars Technica
   10. www.invenglobal.com — "If You Buy a Game, It's Yours": US Representative to ...
   11. www.dexerto.com — US lawmaker proposes bill that would force game companies to ...
   12. www.itechpost.com — US Congressman Ritchie Torres to Propose Video Game Ownership ...
   confidence 95%