US bill could stop video game publishers from revoking ownership rights
A US congressman has proposed legislation that would give gamers legal ownership of the video games they purchase, preventing publishers from treating digital purchases as temporary licences that can be revoked.
Democratic Representative Ritchie Torres of New York announced the Power To The Players Act on October 15. The proposal would direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish rules protecting consumers’ rights to own, play and transfer purchased games.
Under the proposed legislation, publishers would also have to provide an offline mode before shutting down servers supporting their games, allowing players to continue using titles after official support ends.
«When you pay for a game, you should own it,» Torres said.
«A game that can be taken away the moment a company pulls the plug is not a purchase. It is a rental disguised as a sale.»
The proposal comes amid growing criticism of digital game distribution, where customers frequently purchase licences rather than permanent ownership rights. Publishers can sometimes revoke access when servers close or licensing agreements expire.
Why is Congress targeting video game publishers?
Torres cited NBA 2K25 as an example of why stronger consumer protections may be necessary.
The basketball game launched in 2024, with its standard edition priced at $69.99 and its All-Star Edition at $99.99.
Publisher 2K plans to remove the game from digital storefronts on October 30, 2026, before shutting down its online servers on December 31. The shutdown will restrict access to features that depend on online connectivity, despite customers having paid for the game.
Another prominent example is Ubisoft’s The Crew, which became unplayable after its servers shut down in 2024, including for users who wanted to play alone.
The closure helped fuel the international Stop Killing Games campaign, which calls for legislation requiring publishers to leave games functional after ending official support.
What would the new law change for gamers?
If adopted, the Power To The Players Act would seek to establish three core protections:
- Permanent ownership: Purchasing a game would grant ownership rather than a revocable licence to access it.
- Continued access: Games dependent on online servers would need an offline mode before those servers shut down.
- Transfer rights: Consumers would have the right to transfer or resell purchased games, including digital titles.
The legislation could significantly affect publishers that rely on digital licensing agreements and games requiring permanent internet connections. However, the precise technical and legal requirements would depend on the final legislation and FTC regulations.
The proposal follows similar efforts at state level. Pennsylvania Senator John Kane previously introduced the Protect Our Games Act, which would require publishers discontinuing a game to offer offline functionality, an independent online mode or a refund of at least 25% of the purchase price.
