Steam has recently introduced a new notice in its shopping cart. This notice informs customers that their purchases are for a license to access games, not ownership of the games themselves.
The update is in response to a new California law that will take effect next year. This law will require companies to be transparent about the nature of digital content purchases.
How Does This Matter for Gamers?
When you add items to your Steam cart, you’ll now see a message stating that buying a digital product grants you a license for that product on Steam. This is an important update in how Steam explains digital purchases.
The new California law, AB 2426, is designed to protect consumers by ensuring they understand what they’re actually buying when they purchase digital media. It covers not just games, but also music, movies, TV shows, and ebooks sold through online stores.
Companies that don’t clearly explain the limitations of digital purchases could face fines for false advertising. This law was created in response to situations where players lost access to games they thought they owned, such as when Ubisoft removed The Crew from players’ libraries after shutting down the game’s servers.
Although this update might seem minor, it’s an important step in making the relationship between digital platforms, content creators, and consumers clearer.
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