Congress to Consider New Video Game Ownership Rights Act
Representative Ritchie Torres plans to introduce legislation targeting digital ownership and server shutdowns.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Gaming
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Should federal law require companies to ensure consumers permanently own the digital video games they buy?
Representative Ritchie Torres plans to introduce the Power To The Players Act in Congress to regulate video game ownership rights. The bill seeks to mandate offline modes for games and ensure digital sales are treated as property rather than licenses.
Why it matters
The legislation aims to address concerns regarding the longevity of digital purchases as game prices rise. It seeks to ensure that consumers truly own their content rather than buying non-transferable, expiring rentals.
NBA 2K25, which costs $70, is scheduled for delisting from digital storefronts on October 30. Similar high-profile releases like Grand Theft Auto 6 are entering the market at a $80 starting price point.
The players
Ritchie Torres
Ritchie Torres is the 38-year-old U.S. representative for New York's 15th congressional district.
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is a federal agency tasked with protecting consumers and ensuring fair market competition.
The details
The proposed bill would direct the Federal Trade Commission to establish new regulations requiring companies to provide offline functionality for titles even after online servers are shut down. This move targets the industry standard of issuing digital licenses that can be rendered useless once developers deactivate server support.
Timeline
October 30: NBA 2K25 will be removed from digital storefronts.
January 1, 2027: Online servers for NBA 2K25 are scheduled to go offline.
Culture Shift
This legislation marks a significant regulatory challenge to the rise of digital-only game licensing models that currently dominate the market. By pushing for actual ownership rights, the bill represents a departure from the industry shift toward service-based game delivery.
The proposed act could eventually grant players permanent access to games they purchase, potentially saving consumers from losing content when servers shut down. If passed, it may influence the pricing and longevity of future digital releases across all major platforms.
The takeaway
Consumers should be aware that many digital games are currently sold as temporary licenses that can expire. Reviewing the terms of service for high-priced titles can help players understand the risks associated with digital-only ownership.
Further reading
For more context on the current state of the industry, visit the Gaming section.
Live Poll
Should federal law require companies to ensure consumers permanently own the digital video games they buy?
