NY Bill Would End Game Licensing, Force Playability
Original: NY announces game ownership bill requiring ownership rather than licensing
Why This Matters
Sets potential precedent against the licensing model dominating digital game sales.
A New York state representative has introduced a bill requiring game publishers to sell consumers actual ownership of games rather than licenses, and to keep titles functional after official support ends.
A New York state lawmaker has introduced legislation that would fundamentally change how games are sold to consumers. Under the proposed bill, publishers could no longer sell mere licenses — purchases would grant true ownership. More striking is a second requirement: publishers would be obligated to keep games functional even after they end official support or shut down servers.
The move comes amid growing frustration over 'defunct' games — titles consumers paid for that later became unplayable due to server shutdowns or DRM failures. High-profile cases like Ubisoft pulling The Crew from purchasers' libraries have intensified calls for legislative action.
If passed, the law would apply to games sold in New York and could set a precedent for other states. Details on enforcement mechanisms and exactly what 'functional' means in practice have not yet been fully specified. The bill has not yet advanced to a vote.