GoKawiilRep. Ritchie Torres introduces federal Power To The Players Act on game ownership
Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York has introduced the Power To The Players Act, federal legislation directing the FTC to set rules ensuring consumers who buy video games actually own them rather than merely holding a revocable license. The bill would also require games with online functionality to offer an offline mode before their servers are shut down.
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The move follows mounting frustration over games like Ubisoft's The Crew becoming unplayable after shutdown, and Sony's own legal argument that a purchase button doesn't confer ownership. Paired with Pennsylvania's similar Protect Our Games Act, this suggests growing legislative momentum to redefine digital ownership rights, though passage and enforcement against major publishers remain uncertain.
- Bill would make buying a game confer ownership, not just a license.
- Online games would need an offline mode before server shutdowns.
- Follows similar state-level efforts like Pennsylvania's Protect Our Games Act.
PlayStation 5 Disc Edition Console — With ongoing debates about digital game ownership and license revocation, a disc-based console like the PS5 Disc Edition lets you keep physical copies of your games that can't simply vanish when a server shuts down. It's a practical way to maintain control over your game library amid these consumer rights discussions.
See PlayStation 5 Disc Edition Console on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: tomshardware.com — Jhet Borja, 2026-10-16
Published there as: “New York rep announces game ownership bill that would require consumer ownership rather than sale of licenses”
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