Ubisoft argues players don't own their games in wake of The Crew lawsuit

A hot potato: Many users already understand that buying a digital game typically grants a license to access the software – not true ownership. However, it's rare for publishers to revoke access to titles that customers have paid for, even after those games are delisted. Ubisoft's The Crew stands out as a particularly egregious case, sparking a legal battle over what it truly means to "buy" a game. Ubisoft's response to a lawsuit over a recently shut-down online game argues that paying customers never truly owned the title. The case has sparked renewed calls for legislation to protect players when games reach end-of-life status. Two California plaintiffs filed suit against Ubisoft last year after the company shut down servers for The Crew, citing licensing restrictions. Publishers often delist driving games like The Crew and Forza Horizon when licensing agreements with car manufacturers expire. Users typically retain access to games they purchased prior to delisting, and physical dis ... Read full article.