Rep. Ritchie Torres Introduces Legislation to Ensure Gamers Own Their Digital Games
Representative Ritchie Torres announced the introduction of the “Power to the Players Act,” legislation designed to protect consumer rights in digital game ownership. The bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to establish regulations ensuring that when consumers purchase digital games, they actually own them rather than merely acquiring a revocable license.
Currently, most digital game purchases function as licenses that publishers can revoke, effectively rendering consumers’ purchases inaccessible. Torres’ legislation aims to fundamentally change this dynamic, granting consumers three key rights: the right to own, the right to play, and the right to transfer their purchased games.
A critical provision of the bill addresses online-only games, requiring publishers to implement offline functionality or provide tools that allow players to continue accessing games after servers are shut down. This addresses a growing concern in the gaming industry, where multiplayer games and service-based titles become unplayable once publisher support ends, effectively erasing consumer purchases.
The bill reflects broader industry concerns about digital media preservation and consumer protection, as major publishers maintain strict control over digital libraries through licensing agreements. If passed, the legislation would represent a significant shift in digital game economics and consumer rights.