California new law forces digital stores to admit you're just licensing content
California's AB 2426 law mandates digital storefronts to clarify that purchases are licenses, not ownership, prohibiting misleading terms and addressing consumer concerns over access to digital content.
Read original article
California Governor Gavin Newsom has enacted a new law, AB 2426, aimed at addressing consumer confusion regarding digital media purchases. This legislation mandates that digital storefronts clarify to customers that they are only licensing content, rather than owning it outright. Starting next year, terms like "buy" or "purchase" will be prohibited unless accompanied by a disclosure that the customer is receiving a revocable license, along with a list of any restrictions. This law responds to incidents where companies like Ubisoft and Sony have removed access to purchased digital content, highlighting the need for consumer protections as the market shifts away from physical media. California Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin emphasized the importance of this law in combating deceptive advertising practices that mislead consumers about their rights regarding digital purchases. While the law will not prevent companies from revoking access to digital content, it aims to increase consumer awareness of the nature of digital transactions.
- California's AB 2426 law requires digital stores to disclose that purchases are licenses, not ownership.
- The law prohibits the use of terms like "buy" or "purchase" without proper disclosures.
- It addresses consumer concerns following incidents of companies removing access to purchased digital content.
- The legislation aims to combat deceptive advertising practices in the digital media market.
- The law will not apply to stores offering permanent offline downloads.
Related
CA Governor Newsom and AG Bonta Pretend Court Agreed with Them on Kids Code
California officials Newsom and Bonta faced criticism for misrepresenting a court ruling on the Age Appropriate Design Code, which upheld an injunction due to First Amendment concerns, complicating online content regulation.
California passes bill requiring easier data sharing opt outs
California has passed a bill to enhance consumer privacy by simplifying opt-out processes for data sharing, introducing an "opt-out preference signal" to facilitate easier privacy management for users.
California Passes Bill Requiring Easier Data Sharing Opt Outs
California has passed a bill to simplify consumer data sharing opt-outs, introducing an "opt-out preference signal" for easier privacy management, potentially impacting data-reliant businesses and inspiring similar measures nationwide.
It's Now Officially Illegal to Use AI to Impersonate a Human Actor in Hollywood
California has enacted laws prohibiting AI impersonation of actors without consent, extending protections to all residents, regulating cloning of deceased actors, and addressing AI deepfakes aimed at voters.
New California law requires one-click subscription cancellations
California's Assembly Bill 2863 mandates one-click cancellation for automatic subscription renewals, effective January 1, 2025, simplifying the process for consumers and enhancing protection against complicated cancellation methods.
6 commentsWhat I'm more interested in are laws against "changing the experience". You force a mandatory update that significantly changes the product in a way that I don't like (removing features or cramming ads into a device I paid for), I should have the option to revert to the original as-bought configuration, or get a complete refund.
* Sony, Ubisoft scandals lead to California ban on deceptive digital goods sales (arstechnica.com) 110 comments, Sept 2024 | https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41665593
* CA law means stores can’t say you’re buying a game when you’re merely licensing it (polygon.com) 122 comments, Sept 2024| https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41671838
Changing the wording to “license” just encourages “seasonal” licenses and no single payment option.
Owners of a digitally disabled version should automatically get access to whatever the current version is. If Adobe isn't okay with that, I'm sure they can find a way to run that obviously heavily burdened server to activate what must be millions of calls. /s
Related
CA Governor Newsom and AG Bonta Pretend Court Agreed with Them on Kids Code
California officials Newsom and Bonta faced criticism for misrepresenting a court ruling on the Age Appropriate Design Code, which upheld an injunction due to First Amendment concerns, complicating online content regulation.
California passes bill requiring easier data sharing opt outs
California has passed a bill to enhance consumer privacy by simplifying opt-out processes for data sharing, introducing an "opt-out preference signal" to facilitate easier privacy management for users.
California Passes Bill Requiring Easier Data Sharing Opt Outs
California has passed a bill to simplify consumer data sharing opt-outs, introducing an "opt-out preference signal" for easier privacy management, potentially impacting data-reliant businesses and inspiring similar measures nationwide.
It's Now Officially Illegal to Use AI to Impersonate a Human Actor in Hollywood
California has enacted laws prohibiting AI impersonation of actors without consent, extending protections to all residents, regulating cloning of deceased actors, and addressing AI deepfakes aimed at voters.
New California law requires one-click subscription cancellations
California's Assembly Bill 2863 mandates one-click cancellation for automatic subscription renewals, effective January 1, 2025, simplifying the process for consumers and enhancing protection against complicated cancellation methods.