US Bill Proposed to Protect Digital Video Game Ownership Rights

As the digital era evolves, the process of purchasing video games has shifted significantly. Today, when players buy games from digital storefronts, they are technically acquiring a temporary license rather than full ownership of the product. To address this issue, US Representative Ritchie Torres has announced a new legislative initiative titled the "Power To The Players Act." ## What the Bill Entails The goal of the bill is for the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to develop regulations that protect the right of players to own and play the content they purchase. According to Torres, the current model, where companies can revoke access to games at any time, is essentially a rental disguised as a sale. The bill requires that consumers have the right to own, run, and transfer their games. Particular attention is paid to the issue of online service shutdowns. The initiative would mandate that publishers ensure players retain the ability to play in offline mode if game servers are closed. This issue became particularly prominent after Ubisoft completely shut down the game The Crew in 2024, causing users to lose access to the title, including its single-player campaign. ## Why This Matters for Players The video game industry is actively moving away from physical discs. It is known that Sony has already announced the complete cessation of disc production by 2028. This means that consumers will become entirely dependent on digital platforms, where ownership rights remain significantly ambiguous. Initiatives like the "Stop Killing Games" campaign have long sought to highlight that a purchased product should be the user's property rather than a service dependent on a company's goodwill. Although the complete abolition of DRM (Digital Rights Management) is unlikely, the passage of this bill could change how legislation perceives digital property. ## The Global Impact While this is a US-based initiative, its influence on the global market could be significant. If such regulations are implemented in the American market, major companies may change their policies globally, which would positively affect consumers worldwide, including those in Georgia. This would represent the first step toward ensuring digital games receive the same legal protections as physical goods.