California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law (AB 2426) to crack down on “disappearing” purchases of digital games, movies, music and e-books. The law will force online stores to tell their customers that they are only purchasing a license to use the digital media, rather than tricking them into thinking they actually own it.
When the law comes into force next year, it will prohibit online stores from using terms like “buy” or “acquire” unless they inform customers that they will not get full access to what they are buying. Stores will have to inform customers that they are being granted a revocable license and provide a list of any restrictions that come with it. Companies that violate the rule could be fined for misleading advertising.
“As retailers increasingly move away from selling physical media, consumer protections when purchasing digital media have become increasingly important,” California Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin said in a press release. “I thank the Governor for signing AB 2426, which will make false and misleading advertising by digital media sellers that falsely tell consumers their purchases belong to them a thing of the past.”
Forcing stores to make it clear that they only sell licenses won't stop them from revoking digital purchases, but it will at least make people more aware that what they buy can be revoked at any time.