Steam is informing its users that they don’t fully own the games they purchase, as a new California law on digital content ownership looms. The law, taking effect next year, aims to bring transparency to digital marketplaces by clarifying that users are buying licenses, not permanent ownership of games on such platforms.
Steam, the largest digital gaming distribution platform, has begun notifying users that their digital purchases are licenses to access content, not the content itself. This move comes ahead of a California law requiring companies to clearly communicate the nature of digital purchases after several incidents where users lost access to content.
Under the law, terms like “buy” or “purchase” can only be used if consumers are granted permanent access to the product. Otherwise, companies must clarify that the purchase is for a license that can be revoked.
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The law follows high-profile cases involving Ubisoft and Sony, where users lost access to purchased games and TV shows due to server shutdowns or content removal from platforms. Critics argue that this raises questions about the ethics of pirating digital content, considering users don’t actually own the material they pay for.
Steam’s compliance with the new law signals a broader industry shift in how digital content is sold and marketed, sparking debate about consumer rights and potential pushback.
