Prohibit publishers irrevocably disabling video games they have already sold

The government should update consumer law to prohibit publishers from disabling video games (and related game assets / features) they have already sold without recourse for customers to retain or repair them. We seek this as a statutory consumer right.

6,246 Signatures

Status
Open
Opened
Tuesday 14th January 2025
Last 24 hours signatures
5,702
Signature Deadline
Monday 14th July 2025
Estimated Final Signatures: 25,286

Reticulating Splines


Most video games sold can work indefinitely, but some have design elements that render the product non-functional at a time which the publisher controls, with no date provided at sale. We see this as a form of planned obsolescence, as customers can be deprived of their purchase and cannot retain or repair the game. We think this practice is hostile to consumers, entirely preventable, and have concerns existing laws do not address the problem. Thus, we believe government intervention is needed.


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Reticulating Splines