ONE New California law will take effect in 2025, which will force digital stores to disclose that buyers do not actually own their digital transactions but are simply licensing the content.
Naturally, we suspect that most of our audience will know this, but it’s entirely possible that there are more casual players who won’t know how digital stores work. Then there’s the effect, as reported by The Verge (Thank, Time extension) digital storefronts will be restricted from using the words “buy, purchase or any other term that a reasonable person would understand to confer an unrestricted ownership interest in digital goods.” digitally or with a time-limited rental option.”
Unless they explicitly disclose that the user is licensing the content. This disclosure includes ensuring the customer is informed that the license may be revoked at any time and that certain restrictions on purchases may apply. Any violation of this law may result in fines for false advertising.
California Assembly member and bill author Jacqui Irwin stated:
“As retailers continue to shift away from selling physical media, the need to protect consumers when purchasing digital media becomes more and more important. I thank the Governor for signing AB 2426, which will ensure that false and deceptive advertising from digital media sellers falsely telling consumers they own the goods purchased will become illegal. past story.“
Of course, publishers can still revoke access to content if they want, but this law at least ensures that customers know about this potential outcome in advance. We can’t be sure if this law will have a ripple effect in other regions, but we suspect that if companies like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft are forced to change the wording in their storefronts their respective positions, it will be done on a global scale.
