Steam began to warn users that they are not buying a game, but a license

The March shutdown of the servers of the MMO arcade The Crew has already forced legislators to think about the precariousness of the concept of ownership of digital content, and it seems that Valve has decided to protect itself from possible claims from consumers.

Image source: Steam

As noted by the Engadget and IGN portals, Valve has recently begun to display a warning to users about the nature of the future transaction when purchasing a product on the Steam digital distribution service.

«When you purchase a digital item, you receive a license for the product on Steam,” reads a message on the Steam cart page. In other words, consumers are not purchasing the game itself, but only permission from Valve to use it.

Image source: Steam

It is noteworthy that the innovation debuted against the backdrop of AB 2426, a law recently passed in the US state of California, obliging online stores to warn customers about purchasing a license for goods that may be revoked.

Although the requirement applies only to California, and the law will come into force only in 2025, Valve decided to act now: apparently, the new warning appeared not only in the US, but also in other Steam regions.

Image source: X (GOG)

GOG has also thought about introducing a similar warning, but CD Projekt’s digital store is already protected from potential claims, since the goods it sells cannot be withdrawn from the consumer.

«Purchasing a digital product on GOG provides you with its offline installers, which no one can take away from you,” reads an ironic warning from the GOG administration.