Imagine the frustration of purchasing an app or game from a digital store only to see it vanish into thin air, leaving you empty-handed. Governments are taking steps to address this issue in order to protect consumers from such confusing and infuriating situations.
Recently, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a groundbreaking law (AB 2426) aimed at regulating the sale of digital goods and services. This law requires online platforms selling digital versions of video games, music, movies, TV shows, and ebooks to be transparent about whether customers truly own what they are purchasing.
Here are some key points to consider regarding this new law:
Online storefronts must explicitly inform customers if they are purchasing a license for the product rather than owning it outright.
The regulations are not set to be enforced until next year, but some digital services, like Steam, have already taken steps to comply with the new requirements.
Steam, for example, now notifies customers that they are purchasing a license to access the product on the platform, and this does not equate to ownership.
It is important to understand that buying a license merely grants permission to access the content provided by the service. If this content becomes unavailable for any reason, consumers do not have the right to access it indefinitely.
In contrast, purchasing a digital download means buying permission to download and retain the files.
The implementation of this policy on Steam applies globally, ensuring that customers around the world are aware of their rights and limitations when buying digital goods.
As consumers, it is essential to stay informed about the terms and conditions of our digital purchases to avoid disappointment and ensure that we are getting what we expect. Let’s support initiatives that aim to empower consumers and foster transparency in the digital marketplace.
