This change, which appears to be in response to California’s recently-passed AB2426 law on consumer protection, addresses concerns about misleading advertising of digital goods.
The new language clarifies that buying a game grants users a license for the product on Steam, with a link to the Steam Subscriber Agreement for further details. Such terms have actually long been part of digital game transactions on Steam, previously buried deep in the End User License Agreement (EULA), but now the platform has taken the initiative to bring the clarification to the fore.
This adjustment follows the California law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September, that mandates sellers of digital goods to avoid terms like “buy” or “purchase” when they do not grant full ownership of a product. Instead, they must clearly inform users that they are receiving a license, not an unrestricted ownership interest.
The regulation, which applies to digital goods, requires companies to explain the nature of such purchases, especially for products that can’t be used offline permanently or resold.
This update reinforces the notion that digital purchases on platforms like Steam offer limited rights and access to games, which can be revoked or lost if an account is compromised or terminated.
This move aligns with a trend of scrutiny over the ownership of digital content. Companies like Ubisoft, Warner Bros., and Sony have taken controversial steps in recent months to remove access to purchased games and media from users’ libraries, sparking concern over how long digital goods might remain accessible.
As long as Steam remains operational, this clarification shouldn’t affect most users, but it highlights the precarious nature of digital content ownership in today’s market. It also goes without saying that you shouldn’t ever lose your Steam login details.
