End the License-Only Model—Let Us Own the Games We Buy

To: Game Developers, Publishers, Digital Storefronts, and Regulatory Bodies

We, the undersigned, are gamers, consumers, and advocates for fair digital ownership. We are calling for a fundamental shift in how digital games are sold. Currently, most games are not truly sold—they are licensed. Under this model, consumers are granted a limited, revocable right to access a game under terms set by the publisher or platform. We believe this is unfair, outdated, and incompatible with consumer rights.

What We Are Asking For
We urge the industry to move away from the license-only model and adopt a full-ownership model. When consumers pay for a game—whether digitally or physically—they should own it. This means:

Full access to the game without fear of revocation or deactivation.
The right to install, back up, and transfer the game freely.
The ability to resell or gift the game if they choose.
Protection from having purchased games rendered unplayable due to server shutdowns, DRM restrictions, or policy changes.
Why This Matters
Consumer Rights: You wouldn’t “license” a book or a Blu-ray—you own it. Digital goods should not be treated differently simply because of the format.
Preservation & Longevity: License-based games often become inaccessible over time, threatening gaming history and player investment.
Value for Money: Consumers deserve long-term value for the money they spend. Paying $60+ for a license that can disappear at any time is unacceptable.
Resale & Ownership: True ownership means players can choose what to do with their games—including reselling, lending, or gifting them.
Our Demands to the Industry
Clearly label all products as either owned or licensed at point of sale.
Offer an ownership model as an alternative to the license model, especially for single-player or offline games.
Remove or minimize always-online DRM for games sold as "purchased."
Respect first-sale doctrine rights in digital spaces—allowing consumers to resell digital games legally.
Allow continued access to purchased content, even if a game is delisted or servers are shut down.
A Call for Fairness
This petition is not anti-developer or anti-publisher. We value the incredible work done by creators across the gaming industry. We simply ask that the rules of ownership in the digital world reflect the values of fairness, transparency, and respect for the customer.

The digital age should empower us—not take away rights we’ve long held in physical media. Stand with us and call for a future where when you buy a game, you own it.

Sincerely,
The Consumer
& The Gaming Community