The Digital Gamers' Rights Protection Act
Preamble:
An Act to establish the legal framework for the protection of video gamers' digital content ownership, ensuring that consumers retain rights to their digital games and related content, including but not limited to game licenses, downloadable content (DLC), and virtual goods, regardless of changes in platform, service provider, or any digital marketplace.

Section 1: Short Title
This Act may be cited as the "Digital Gamers' Rights Protection Act."

Section 2: Definitions
For the purposes of this Act:

Digital Game means any video game that is delivered, stored, or accessed electronically, including downloadable games, streaming games, and digital versions of games.
Digital Content includes digital games, downloadable content (DLC), virtual goods, in-game currencies, and any other non-physical assets associated with digital games.
Consumer refers to any individual or entity that purchases, downloads, or otherwise obtains a digital game or digital content.
License refers to a non-exclusive right granted to a consumer to access and use a digital game or digital content subject to the terms of the applicable end-user license agreement (EULA).
Platform Provider refers to any company, service, or marketplace that facilitates the sale, distribution, or access to digital games or content, including but not limited to game distributors, digital storefronts, and online platforms.
Section 3: Ownership of Digital Games
Right of Ownership:
Upon purchasing a digital game or digital content, the consumer shall own the perpetual right to access, use, and transfer that game or content, subject only to reasonable restrictions outlined in the relevant license agreement. Ownership is not contingent upon subscription to or continued access to a specific platform or service.
License Duration:
A license for digital games and content shall be deemed permanent unless the license explicitly states a fixed term. In the event of termination, the platform provider must offer the consumer a refund for any unexpired portion of the license, proportional to the duration of the game or content’s use.
Transferability:
Consumers shall have the right to transfer, gift, or resell digital games and content, provided the transaction complies with anti-piracy laws. Such transfers may be subject to restrictions placed by the original platform provider, but may not be prohibited outright. No platform provider shall impose barriers that prevent or restrict the lawful transfer of digital ownership between users.
Access to Digital Games:
Consumers shall have the right to download, install, and access their digital games and content at any time, subject to reasonable security protections and compliance with anti-piracy laws.
Section 4: Protections Against Platform Shutdowns and Service Discontinuation
Access After Shutdown:
If a platform provider discontinues service or shuts down a platform, all consumers who own digital content on that platform must retain the right to access, download, and play those games via alternative methods. Platform providers must make available a means for transferring digital content to other platforms or local storage.
Refund and Compensation:
In the event of a shutdown, platform providers must offer a reasonable refund or alternative compensation to consumers for digital content they can no longer access, based on the remaining expected value of the product (e.g., unused DLC, games, etc.).
Digital Content Preservation:
If a digital game or content is at risk of being permanently removed due to a shutdown or termination of a platform, platform providers must give consumers ample notice (minimum of 180 days) and provide options for preserving access, such as downloadable versions or alternative storage solutions.
Section 5: In-Game Purchases and Virtual Goods
Ownership of Virtual Goods:
Virtual goods, including in-game currency, skins, or other items purchased or earned within a digital game, are considered owned by the consumer once acquired and cannot be arbitrarily revoked by the platform provider without prior notice or compensation.
Monetary Compensation for In-Game Purchases:
In the event that a game is de-listed, discontinued, or rendered inaccessible due to platform shutdown, consumers shall have the right to receive compensation for in-game purchases made during the period of use. This may take the form of a refund, credit toward another game, or transfer to another platform.
Section 6: Transparency and Fairness in Digital Content Agreements
Clear Terms and Conditions:
Platform providers and game publishers must ensure that the terms and conditions regarding the purchase, use, and transfer of digital games and content are clear, transparent, and accessible to consumers before any purchase is made. These agreements must outline the scope of ownership, any usage restrictions, and the rights of the consumer in the event of a platform shutdown or game discontinuation.
No Unfair Restrictions:
Platform providers shall not include terms in their agreements that impose unreasonable restrictions on the ownership or transferability of digital content. Terms that invalidate consumer ownership or excessively limit the rights of consumers (e.g., preventing resale or transfer of digital games) will be considered unenforceable.
Section 7: Enforcement and Penalties
Consumer Rights Enforcement:
The enforcement of consumer rights under this Act will be carried out by the relevant regulatory authority, which may be a government agency, a consumer protection body, or a designated tribunal for digital content disputes.
Penalties for Non-Compliance:
Platform providers who violate the terms of this Act, including unlawfully restricting digital content ownership, failing to provide reasonable alternatives for content access, or failing to refund or compensate consumers in the event of service discontinuation, may be subject to civil penalties and fines.
Section 8: Amendments and Future Considerations
Review and Updates:
This Act will be reviewed every five years to ensure its provisions remain relevant in light of technological advancements in digital content distribution, consumer rights, and the gaming industry.
Global Cooperation:
Efforts will be made to cooperate with international bodies to standardize digital content protection laws and create a global framework for digital ownership rights.
 
Conclusion:
This Act ensures that consumers who purchase digital games and content have clear ownership rights, even in the digital realm. By providing protections for gamers against platform discontinuations, offering transparency in agreements, and ensuring fairness in the treatment of virtual goods, the Digital Gamers' Rights Protection Act strengthens the rights of players in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.