A US congressman, Representative Ritchie Torres, announces plans to introduce legislation aimed at protecting videogame owners’ rights. The proposal, described as the “Power to the Players Act,” targets digital purchases that function like time-limited rentals rather than permanent ownership, including games that become inaccessible when they are decommissioned.
Multiple outlets report that Torres frames the measure around the idea that consumers should retain the ability to play games they purchase, even if services change. Engadget and PC Gamer add that the bill would involve the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), calling for regulations to ensure players can still access and use games they bought. Kotaku likewise reports the focus on ending “digital game licenses,” presenting the bill as a shift away from licensing models that allow publishers to control ongoing access after sale.
While coverage aligns on the bill’s goal and the congressman’s approach, outlets differ slightly in emphasis—some foreground the decommissioning issue, others the consumer-protection and FTC regulatory mechanism, and others the broader aim to end licensing arrangements.
