{ "data_version": "1", "schema": "https://whatledto.com/data", "slug": "digital-game-ownership", "title": "Do You Own Your Games? The Crew, AB 2426 and the Buy-Button Lawsuits", "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership", "markdown": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership.md", "feed": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership/feed.xml", "vertical": "gaming", "topic": "Gaming", "status": "live", "tags": [ { "slug": "class-actions", "name": "Class actions", "url": "https://whatledto.com/tags/class-actions" }, { "slug": "consumer-protection", "name": "Consumer protection", "url": "https://whatledto.com/tags/consumer-protection" }, { "slug": "digital-ownership", "name": "Digital ownership", "url": "https://whatledto.com/tags/digital-ownership" }, { "slug": "sony", "name": "Sony", "url": "https://whatledto.com/tags/sony" }, { "slug": "ubisoft", "name": "Ubisoft", "url": "https://whatledto.com/tags/ubisoft" }, { "slug": "valve", "name": "Valve", "url": "https://whatledto.com/tags/valve" } ], "created_at": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.756293+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-10-17T01:48:04.811832+00:00", "last_researched_at": "2026-10-15T07:29:50.059830+00:00", "tldr": "Ubisoft’s shutdown of the online-only game The Crew, followed by reported licence removals from customer accounts, made the difference between a purchase label and a revocable digital licence a live consumer issue. California responded with Business and Professions Code Section 17500.6, effective January 1, 2025, requiring sellers that use terms such as “buy” or “purchase” to separately disclose or obtain acknowledgement that digital goods are licensed. The Crew litigation has produced a proposed $2 million settlement awaiting final approval, while GameStop’s similar case ended without a ruling and Sony is trying to send a PlayStation Store buy-button suit to individual arbitration. In Europe, the Stop Destroying Videogames initiative reached the Commission, but the Commission declined to propose a legal duty to keep discontinued games playable and instead suggested work on an end-of-life code of conduct.", "hero_image": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1579373903781-fd5c0c30c4cd?ixid=M3w5OTg1Nzd8MHwxfGFsbHx8fHx8fHx8fDE3ODkyNzIxOTF8&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", "hero_credit": { "source": "unsplash", "photo_id": "By-tZImt0Ms", "photographer": "Compagnons", "photographer_url": "https://unsplash.com/@sigmund?utm_source=whatledto&utm_medium=referral", "photo_url": "https://unsplash.com/photos/game-over-screen-with-red-text-By-tZImt0Ms?utm_source=whatledto&utm_medium=referral", "description": "Pixelated Game Over screen on an oversized PAC-MAN arcade machine", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "entities": [ { "id": "gamestop", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/gamestop", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/gamestop.json", "name": "GameStop", "kind": "company", "role": "Retailer sued over its use of buy and purchase language for digital games; the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the case before a merits ruling." }, { "id": "gamestop", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/gamestop", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/gamestop.json", "name": "GameStop, Inc.", "kind": "company", "role": "Defendant in Weber's digital-game buy-language action." }, { "id": "sony", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/sony", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/sony.json", "name": "Sony", "kind": "company", "role": "Remaining defendant in the PlayStation Store buy-button suit; it argues customers could not reasonably have believed they owned downloads and seeks individual arbitration." }, { "id": "sony-corporation-of-america", "name": "Sony Corporation of America", "kind": "company", "role": "Originally named in the PlayStation Store suit but voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs in August 2026." }, { "id": "sony", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/sony", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/sony.json", "name": "Sony Interactive Entertainment", "kind": "company", "role": "Operator of the PlayStation Store and sole remaining defendant in the pending buy-button case; it seeks to compel individual arbitration." }, { "id": "sony-interactive-entertainment-llc", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/sony-interactive-entertainment-llc", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/sony-interactive-entertainment-llc.json", "name": "Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC", "kind": "company", "role": "Defendant identified in the PlayStation Store case." }, { "id": "ubisoft", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/ubisoft", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/ubisoft.json", "name": "Ubisoft", "kind": "company", "role": "Publisher that delisted, shut down, and reportedly removed account licences for The Crew; it is settling the related ownership claims." }, { "id": "ubisoft-entertainment-sa", "name": "Ubisoft Entertainment S.A.", "kind": "company", "role": "Original federal Cassell defendant that moved to dismiss the complaint." }, { "id": "ubisoft", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/ubisoft", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/ubisoft.json", "name": "Ubisoft, Inc.", "kind": "company", "role": "Cassell defendant and party to the amended federal action." }, { "id": "valve", "name": "Valve", "kind": "company", "role": "Operator of Steam, which added cart language stating that digital-product purchases grant a licence." }, { "id": "andrew-garcia-edward-heycock-jason-mendoza-and-josh-salinas", "name": "Andrew Garcia, Edward Heycock, Jason Mendoza and Josh Salinas", "kind": "other", "role": "Proposed class representatives challenging PlayStation Store buy labels under Section 17500.6 and California consumer law." }, { "id": "business-and-professions-code-section-175006", "name": "Business and Professions Code Section 17500.6", "kind": "other", "role": "California's digital-goods disclosure provision, effective January 1, 2025." }, { "id": "playstation-store-voucher-settlement", "name": "PlayStation Store voucher settlement", "kind": "other", "role": "Separate $7.85 million settlement over Sony ending third-party sales of game-specific download vouchers, relevant only as another dispute over digital-game purchasing channels." }, { "id": "stop-destroying-videogames", "name": "Stop Destroying Videogames", "kind": "other", "role": "European Citizens’ Initiative seeking rules requiring publishers to leave games playable after support ends." }, { "id": "us-district-court-for-the-northern-district-of-california", "name": "U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California", "kind": "other", "role": "Court whose local rule is cited in the administrative-motion entries." }, { "id": "ufc-que-choisir", "name": "UFC-Que Choisir", "kind": "other", "role": "French consumer organization that sued Ubisoft over the shutdown of The Crew." }, { "id": "united-states-district-court-for-the-northern-district-of-california", "name": "United States District Court for the Northern District of California", "kind": "other", "role": "Court that entered the administrative-motion order." }, { "id": "video-game-publishers", "name": "Video-game publishers", "kind": "other", "role": "Publishers targeted by the initiative's proposed requirement." }, { "id": "adrian-cendejas", "name": "Adrian Cendejas", "kind": "person", "role": "Plaintiff who sought final approval of the separate PlayStation Store voucher antitrust settlement." }, { "id": "agustin-caccuri", "name": "Agustin Caccuri", "kind": "person", "role": "Named party in the PlayStation Store voucher settlement." }, { "id": "alan-liu", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/alan-liu", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/alan-liu.json", "name": "Alan Liu", "kind": "person", "role": "Named plaintiff in the The Crew ownership litigation against Ubisoft." }, { "id": "aleksej-vjalicin", "name": "Aleksej Vjalicin", "kind": "person", "role": "Organizer of the Stop Destroying Videogames initiative." }, { "id": "aleksej-vjalicin-and-daniel-ondruska", "name": "Aleksej Vjalicin and Daniel Ondruska", "kind": "person", "role": "Organisers of the Stop Destroying Videogames citizens’ initiative." }, { "id": "andrew-garcia", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/andrew-garcia", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/andrew-garcia.json", "name": "Andrew Garcia", "kind": "person", "role": "Named plaintiff in the PlayStation Store buy-button suit." }, { "id": "angel-cerrato", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/angel-cerrato", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/angel-cerrato.json", "name": "Angel Cerrato", "kind": "person", "role": "Named plaintiff added to the The Crew ownership litigation." }, { "id": "assemblymember-jacqui-irwin", "name": "Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin", "kind": "person", "role": "Author of California AB 2426." }, { "id": "caccuri", "name": "Caccuri", "kind": "person", "role": "Class representative in the PlayStation Store voucher settlement." }, { "id": "cendejas", "name": "Cendejas", "kind": "person", "role": "Class representative in the PlayStation Store voucher settlement." }, { "id": "daniel-ondruska", "name": "Daniel Ondruska", "kind": "person", "role": "Organizer of the Stop Destroying Videogames initiative." }, { "id": "edward-heycock", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/edward-heycock", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/edward-heycock.json", "name": "Edward Heycock", "kind": "person", "role": "Named plaintiff in the PlayStation Store buy-button suit." }, { "id": "gavin-newsom", "name": "Gavin Newsom", "kind": "person", "role": "California governor who signed AB 2426 into law." }, { "id": "henna-virkkunen", "name": "Henna Virkkunen", "kind": "person", "role": "Met the initiative's organisers as Executive Vice-President before the Commission replied." }, { "id": "jacqui-irwin", "name": "Jacqui Irwin", "kind": "person", "role": "California Assemblymember whose AB 2426 became Section 17500.6." }, { "id": "jake-weber", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/jake-weber", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/jake-weber.json", "name": "Jake Weber", "kind": "person", "role": "Plaintiff who brought and later voluntarily dismissed the GameStop disclosure case." }, { "id": "jason-mendoza", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/jason-mendoza", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/jason-mendoza.json", "name": "Jason Mendoza", "kind": "person", "role": "Named plaintiff in the PlayStation Store buy-button suit." }, { "id": "john-salinas", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/john-salinas", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/john-salinas.json", "name": "John Salinas", "kind": "person", "role": "Plaintiff in the PlayStation Store litigation." }, { "id": "josh-salinas", "name": "Josh Salinas", "kind": "person", "role": "Named plaintiff in the PlayStation Store buy-button suit." }, { "id": "matthew-cassell", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/matthew-cassell", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/matthew-cassell.json", "name": "Matthew Cassell", "kind": "person", "role": "Named plaintiff in the The Crew ownership litigation against Ubisoft." }, { "id": "michael-mcgrath", "name": "Michael McGrath", "kind": "person", "role": "Met the initiative's organisers as Commissioner before the Commission replied." }, { "id": "troy-kenneth-scheffler", "name": "Troy Kenneth Scheffler", "kind": "person", "role": "Objector whose objection Cendejas asked the court to deny." }, { "id": "vince-chhabria", "name": "Vince Chhabria", "kind": "person", "role": "Was the judge to whom Sony asked to compel individual arbitration in the buy-button case." }, { "id": "elden-ring-nightreign", "name": "Elden Ring Nightreign", "kind": "product", "role": "The digital game identified in reporting on the GameStop disclosure suit." }, { "id": "playstation-network", "name": "PlayStation Network", "kind": "product", "role": "Sony service whose terms contain the arbitration provision raised against the PlayStation Store buy-button suit and which distributes credits in the separate voucher settlement." }, { "id": "playstation-store", "name": "PlayStation Store", "kind": "product", "role": "Sony’s digital storefront, whose buy and purchase labels are challenged as applying to revocable licences." }, { "id": "steam", "name": "Steam", "kind": "product", "role": "Digital storefront that added a licence disclosure before California’s new law took effect." }, { "id": "the-crew", "name": "The Crew", "kind": "product", "role": "Ubisoft’s online-only 2014 racing game, whose shutdown and reported licence revocations triggered the dispute over digital-game ownership." }, { "id": "ubisoft-connect", "name": "Ubisoft Connect", "kind": "product", "role": "Account service from which users reported The Crew access licences were revoked." }, { "id": "california", "name": "California", "kind": "regulator", "role": "State whose Business and Professions Code Section 17500.6 regulates digital-goods advertising and disclosures." }, { "id": "california-legislature-and-governor-gavin-newsom", "name": "California Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Enacted AB 2426, adding the digital-goods disclosure requirement in Business and Professions Code Section 17500.6." }, { "id": "california-state-legislature", "name": "California State Legislature", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Enacted the law adding Section 17500.6, whose digital-goods disclosure requirements took effect on January 1, 2025." }, { "id": "european-commission", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/european-commission", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/european-commission.json", "name": "European Commission", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Received the Stop Destroying Videogames initiative and declined to propose a legal obligation to preserve playability after sale." }, { "id": "european-parliament", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/european-parliament", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/european-parliament.json", "name": "European Parliament", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Held the required public hearing and a plenary debate on the citizens’ initiative." }, { "id": "state-of-california", "name": "State of California", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Enacted and now enforces Business and Professions Code Section 17500.6, the digital-goods licence-disclosure rule." }, { "id": "superior-court-of-california-county-of-sacramento", "name": "Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Court that preliminarily approved the proposed Cassell settlement." }, { "id": "tribunal-judiciaire-de-cr-teil", "name": "Tribunal Judiciaire de Créteil", "kind": "regulator", "role": "French court before which UFC-Que Choisir sued Ubisoft." }, { "id": "us-district-court-for-the-eastern-district-of-california", "name": "U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Federal court that handled and dismissed the Cassell action." } ], "nodes": [ { "id": 1015, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1015", "date": "2023-12-14", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Ubisoft delists The Crew and sets a date to switch off its servers", "summary": "Ubisoft removed the 2014 open-world racing game from digital storefronts and said every server would go dark on 31 March 2024, blaming server infrastructure and licensing constraints. The game had no offline mode, so the shutdown would make it unplayable for everyone who had bought it.", "type": "announcement", "entities": [ "Ubisoft" ], "parties": [ "ubisoft" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.767340+00:00", "note": "Official source added: https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/the-crew/the-crew-2/news-updates/3u0la29yUBGBzYlwKp5QMZ/an-update-on-the-crew", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-delists-the-crew-with-servers-shutting-next-year", "outlet": "Eurogamer", "published": "2023-12-14", "quote": "The game will remain playable until 31st March 2024, after which all servers will be shut down across all platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Amazon Luna, and Ubisoft+. \"We understand this may be disappointing for players still enjoying the game, but it has become a necessity due to upcoming server infrastructure and licensing constraints,\" reads the update from Ubisoft." }, { "url": "https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/the-crew/the-crew-2/news-updates/3u0la29yUBGBzYlwKp5QMZ/an-update-on-the-crew", "outlet": "Ubisoft", "published": "2023-12-14", "quote": "Today, The Crew 1, including all its editions, and virtual currency packs, will be delisted from all online stores." } ] }, { "id": 1030, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1030", "date": "2024-04-01", "date_precision": "day", "title": "The Crew becomes inoperable after Ubisoft's server shutdown", "summary": "The online-only game The Crew stopped operating on April 1. The game required Ubisoft servers to operate.", "type": "other", "entities": [ "Ubisoft", "The Crew" ], "parties": [ "ubisoft", "the-crew" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T04:00:38.379050+00:00", "note": "The page states that The Crew, an online-only racing game, \"stopped being operable on April 1.\" It also explains that the game could not be used without Ubisoft's servers, which went down that day.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.engadget.com/ubisoft-is-deleting-the-crew-from-players-libraries-reminding-us-we-own-nothing-165328083.html", "outlet": "Engadget", "published": "2024-04-12", "quote": "Ubisoft's online-only racing game The Crew stopped being operable on April 1." } ] }, { "id": 1031, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1031", "date": "2024-04-12", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Players report Ubisoft revoked The Crew licences from accounts", "summary": "Users reported that Ubisoft revoked licences to access The Crew from Ubisoft Connect accounts. The report described the removal as occurring after the game became inoperable.", "type": "report", "entities": [ "Ubisoft", "Ubisoft Connect", "The Crew" ], "parties": [ "ubisoft", "ubisoft-connect", "the-crew" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T04:00:38.379050+00:00", "note": "The page states that The Crew became inoperable when its servers shut down on April 1, 2024, and reports that Ubisoft revoked licenses in Ubisoft Connect accounts afterward. The quoted sentence appears on the page.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.engadget.com/ubisoft-is-deleting-the-crew-from-players-libraries-reminding-us-we-own-nothing-165328083.html", "outlet": "Engadget", "published": "2024-04-12", "quote": "They say that the company actually reached into Ubisoft Connect accounts and revoked the license to access the game, according to reports by Game Rant and others." } ] }, { "id": 1032, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1032", "date": "2024-06-19", "date_precision": "day", "title": "European Commission register publishes Stop Destroying Videogames initiative", "summary": "The European Citizens' Initiative register published Stop Destroying Videogames. The initiative calls for publishers selling or licensing games in the EU to leave games playable.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "European Commission", "Stop Destroying Videogames", "Video-game publishers" ], "parties": [ "european-commission", "stop-destroying-videogames", "video-game-publishers" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T04:00:38.379050+00:00", "note": "The page is readable and lists European Commission information dated 19/06/2024. Its objectives section contains the quoted language and supports the summary that the initiative seeks to keep videogames functional/playable after publishers discontinue them.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en", "outlet": "European Citizens' Initiative register", "published": "2024-06-19", "quote": "This initiative calls to require publishers that sell or license videogames to consumers in the European Union (or related features and assets sold for videogames they operate) to leave said videogames in a functional (playable) state." } ] }, { "id": 1016, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1016", "date": "2024-09-24", "date_precision": "day", "title": "California enacts AB 2426, the digital-goods disclosure law", "summary": "Governor Newsom signed Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin's bill adding Section 17500.6 to the Business and Professions Code. It makes it unlawful to advertise a digital good with words like buy or purchase unless the seller either takes an affirmative acknowledgement that the transaction is a licence, or shows a clear and conspicuous statement to that effect before checkout.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "Gavin Newsom", "Jacqui Irwin", "California State Legislature" ], "parties": [ "gavin-newsom", "jacqui-irwin", "california-state-legislature" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.767447+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB2426", "outlet": "California Legislative Information", "published": "2024-09-24", "quote": "An act to add Section 17500.6 to the Business and Professions Code, relating to consumer protection. [ Approved by Governor September 24, 2024. Filed with Secretary of State September 24, 2024. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2426, Irwin." } ] }, { "id": 1017, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1017", "date": "2024-10-11", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Steam starts telling shoppers they are buying a licence", "summary": "A line appeared at the bottom of the Steam shopping cart reading that a purchase of a digital product grants a licence for the product on Steam. Valve added it months before the California law took effect, and it was the first of the big storefronts to change its checkout copy.", "type": "response", "entities": [ "Valve" ], "parties": [ "valve" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.767501+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.engadget.com/gaming/steam-now-tells-gamers-up-front-that-theyre-buying-a-license-not-a-game-085106522.html", "outlet": "Engadget", "published": "2024-10-11", "quote": "When you open your shopping cart with items inside and before going to payment, a notice at the bottom right states: \"A purchase of a digital product grants a license for the product on Steam.\"" } ] }, { "id": 1033, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1033", "date": "2024-11-04", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Cassell and Liu file federal proposed class action against Ubisoft", "summary": "Matthew Cassell and Alan Liu filed Cassell v. Ubisoft Entertainment S.A. in the Eastern District of California, the first suit to test the ownership claim. It alleged Ubisoft had misled buyers of The Crew into thinking they were getting ownership rights when they received only a limited licence.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Matthew Cassell", "Alan Liu", "Ubisoft Entertainment S.A.", "Ubisoft, Inc.", "The Crew" ], "parties": [ "matthew-cassell", "alan-liu", "ubisoft-entertainment-sa", "ubisoft", "the-crew" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T04:00:38.379050+00:00", "note": "Hand-checked: the November 4, 2024 filing date appears on the PACER docket record and the characterisation of the claim appears verbatim on the settlement administrator's FAQ.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.drdocket.com/case/cassell-v-ubisoft-entertainment-s-a-caed-2024", "outlet": "Dr. Docket/PACER docket record", "published": "2024-11-04", "quote": "Date Filed Nov 4, 2024." }, { "url": "https://www.crewgamesettlement.com/faq", "outlet": "Crew Game Settlement administrator", "published": null, "quote": "This lawsuit claims that Ubisoft violated California law by misleading consumers into believing that by purchasing a copy of the Ubisoft video game, The Crew, they were receiving ownership rights over The Crew, but instead only received a limited license." } ] }, { "id": 1018, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1018", "date": "2025-01-01", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Section 17500.6 takes effect", "summary": "California's False Advertising Law now reaches digital goods. The acknowledgement or the disclosure has to be separate and distinct from the rest of the terms and conditions, and the section covers video games, applications, audio and audiovisual works, e-books and redemption codes.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "California State Legislature" ], "parties": [ "california-state-legislature" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.767548+00:00", "note": "Official source added: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=17500.6.&lawCode=BPC", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.thompsoncoburn.com/insights/california-expands-false-advertising-law-to-require-express-licensing-disclosures-in-sales-of-digital-goods/", "outlet": "Thompson Coburn LLP", "published": "2025-01-24", "quote": "Section 17500.6 further requires that the purchaser's express acknowledgment and the seller's \"clear and conspicuous statement\" be separate and distinct from the other terms and conditions of the transaction." }, { "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=17500.6.&lawCode=BPC", "outlet": "California Legislative Information", "published": null, "quote": "(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 513, Sec. 1. (AB 2426) Effective January 1, 2025.)" } ] }, { "id": 1035, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1035", "date": "2025-03-18", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Cassell plaintiffs file amended complaint against Ubisoft, Inc.", "summary": "Matthew Cassell, Alan Liu, and Angel Cerrato filed a first amended complaint. The amended complaint named Ubisoft, Inc. as defendant.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Matthew Cassell", "Alan Liu", "Angel Cerrato", "Ubisoft, Inc." ], "parties": [ "matthew-cassell", "alan-liu", "angel-cerrato", "ubisoft" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T04:00:38.379050+00:00", "note": "The docket entry dated March 18, 2025 states that Matthew Cassell, Alan Liu, and Angel Cerrato filed a first amended complaint against Ubisoft, Inc. The quoted text appears on the page.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.drdocket.com/case/cassell-v-ubisoft-entertainment-s-a-caed-2024", "outlet": "Dr. Docket/PACER docket record", "published": "2025-03-18", "quote": "FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT against Ubisoft, Inc. by Matthew Cassell, Alan Liu, Angel Cerrato." } ] }, { "id": 1038, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1038", "date": "2025-06-12", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Cassell plaintiffs voluntarily dismiss federal action", "summary": "Matthew Cassell, Angel Cerrato, and Alan Liu filed a notice voluntarily dismissing the federal action without prejudice. The notice was filed before a ruling on Ubisoft's amended-complaint dismissal motion.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Matthew Cassell", "Alan Liu", "Angel Cerrato", "Ubisoft, Inc." ], "parties": [ "matthew-cassell", "alan-liu", "angel-cerrato", "ubisoft" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T04:00:38.379050+00:00", "note": "The docket entry dated June 12, 2025 states that Cassell, Cerrato, and Liu filed a notice voluntarily dismissing without prejudice. The amended-complaint motion to dismiss was still pending; the court denied it as moot the next day.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.drdocket.com/case/cassell-v-ubisoft-entertainment-s-a-caed-2024", "outlet": "Dr. Docket/PACER docket record", "published": "2025-06-12", "quote": "NOTICE of VOLUNTARY DISMISSAL without prejudice by Matthew Cassell, Angel Cerrato, Alan Liu." } ] }, { "id": 1019, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1019", "date": "2025-07-08", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Stop Killing Games passes a million signatures in the EU", "summary": "The European Citizens' Initiative started after The Crew went dark crossed one million signatures in at least seven member states, the threshold that forces the European Commission to respond. Organisers Aleksej Vjalicin and Daniel Ondruska had until the end of July to collect them.", "type": "other", "entities": [ "Stop Destroying Videogames", "European Commission" ], "parties": [ "stop-destroying-videogames", "european-commission" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.767588+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.euronews.com/next/2025/07/08/citizens-petition-to-stop-killing-games-reaches-1-million-signatures-likely-triggering-eu-", "outlet": "Euronews", "published": "2025-07-08", "quote": "A European Citizens' Initiative called Stop Killing Games surpassed one million signatures in at least seven member states, which is the threshold to force the Commission to consider issues raised by the public." } ] }, { "id": 1020, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1020", "date": "2025-08-13", "date_precision": "day", "title": "The petition finishes with 1.4 million raw signatures", "summary": "Collection closed well above the threshold. Member States then had three months to check the validity of the signatures before the initiative could go to the Commission.", "type": "other", "entities": [ "Stop Destroying Videogames" ], "parties": [ "stop-destroying-videogames" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.767628+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/08/13/citizens-petition-stop-killing-games-reaches-14mln-signatures-likely-triggering-eu-review", "outlet": "Euronews", "published": "2025-08-13", "quote": "The citizens' petition \"Stop Destroying Games\" has attracted more than 1.4 million signatures across the European Union." } ] }, { "id": 1040, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1040", "date": "2026-01-07", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Jake Weber sends GameStop a CLRA demand letter", "summary": "Jake Weber sent GameStop a California Consumer Legal Remedies Act demand letter by certified mail. The letter gave notice of alleged violations and demanded correction of the practices alleged.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Jake Weber", "GameStop" ], "parties": [ "jake-weber", "gamestop" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T04:00:38.379050+00:00", "note": "The complaint states that on January 7, 2026, a CLRA demand letter was sent to GameStop by certified mail with return receipt requested. It says the letter gave notice of alleged CLRA violations and demanded correction of the alleged unlawful, unfair, false, and/or deceptive practices.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.classaction.org/media/weber-v-gamestop-inc-complaint.pdf", "outlet": "Weber v. GameStop complaint", "published": "2026-01-08", "quote": "On January 7, 2026, a CLRA demand letter was sent to Defendant’s address via certified mail (return receipt requested), that provided notice of Defendant’s violations of the CLRA and demanded that Defendant correct the unlawful, unfair, false and/or deceptive practices alleged here." } ] }, { "id": 1041, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1041", "date": "2026-01-08", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Weber files GameStop action over digital-game buy language", "summary": "Jake Weber filed a proposed class action against GameStop, Inc. The complaint alleged that GameStop used terms including “buy,” “purchase,” and “Add to Cart” without satisfying either condition specified in the cited law.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Jake Weber", "GameStop", "Elden Ring Nightreign" ], "parties": [ "jake-weber", "gamestop", "elden-ring-nightreign" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T04:00:38.379050+00:00", "note": "The complaint identifies Jake Weber as plaintiff in a proposed class action against GameStop, Inc. and alleges GameStop used “buy,” “purchase,” and “Add to Cart” without satisfying either statutory condition. It was filed and dated January 8, 2026.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.classaction.org/media/weber-v-gamestop-inc-complaint.pdf", "outlet": "Weber v. GameStop complaint", "published": "2026-01-08", "quote": "Defendant violated this law by advertising to consumers that they could “buy,” “purchase,” and “Add to Cart,” video games on its website without satisfying either of these two conditions." } ] }, { "id": 1221, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1221", "date": "2026-01-22", "date_precision": "day", "title": "GameStop is sued under the new law over a digital copy of Elden Ring Nightreign", "summary": "A putative class action brought the year-old disclosure statute to video games, pleading the new False Advertising Law provisions alongside the Unfair Competition Law and the Consumer Legal Remedies Act. The case is No. 2:26-at-00047 in the Eastern District of California.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "GameStop" ], "parties": [ "gamestop" ], "published_at": "2026-09-14T03:30:19.974087+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://technologylaw.fkks.com/post/102mdrc/class-actions-under-californias-digital-goods-disclosure-law-reach-video-games", "outlet": "Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz", "published": "2026-01-22", "quote": "The plaintiff alleges that he purchased a digital copy of Elden Ring Nightreign from GameStop's website." } ] }, { "id": 1022, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1022", "date": "2026-01-26", "date_precision": "day", "title": "The initiative is submitted to the Commission with 1,294,188 verified signatures", "summary": "After national verification, Stop Destroying Videogames became one of the few citizens' initiatives to reach the Commission, which then had six months to answer.", "type": "other", "entities": [ "Stop Destroying Videogames", "European Commission" ], "parties": [ "stop-destroying-videogames", "european-commission" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.767705+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://outof.games/news/9185-the-european-commission-answers-to-the-stop-killing-games-movement/", "outlet": "Out of Games (European Commission communication)", "published": "2026-06-16", "quote": "The 'Stop Destroying Videogames' initiative was submitted to the European Commission on 26 January 2026, after having gathered 1,294,188 verified statements of support." } ] }, { "id": 1023, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1023", "date": "2026-02-23", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Organisers put their case to two commissioners", "summary": "The initiative's organisers met Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner Michael McGrath, the hearing the ECI Regulation entitles them to before the Commission replies.", "type": "other", "entities": [ "European Commission", "Henna Virkkunen", "Michael McGrath", "Stop Destroying Videogames" ], "parties": [ "european-commission", "henna-virkkunen", "michael-mcgrath", "stop-destroying-videogames" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.767745+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://outof.games/news/9185-the-european-commission-answers-to-the-stop-killing-games-movement/", "outlet": "Out of Games (European Commission communication)", "published": "2026-06-16", "quote": "On 23 February 2026, the initiative organisers presented the objectives of their initiative in a meeting with Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner Michael McGrath, accompanied by European Commission officials, in line with Article 15 of the ECI Regulation." } ] }, { "id": 1042, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1042", "date": "2026-03-31", "date_precision": "day", "title": "UFC-Que Choisir sues Ubisoft in France over The Crew shutdown", "summary": "UFC-Que Choisir sued Ubisoft before the Tribunal Judiciaire de Créteil following closure of The Crew servers. Stop Killing Games supported the action.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "UFC-Que Choisir", "Ubisoft", "The Crew", "Stop Destroying Videogames", "Tribunal Judiciaire de Créteil" ], "parties": [ "ufc-que-choisir", "ubisoft", "the-crew", "stop-destroying-videogames", "tribunal-judiciaire-de-cr-teil" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T04:00:38.379050+00:00", "note": "The page states that UFC-Que Choisir is suing Ubisoft before the Tribunal Judiciaire de Créteil following the shutdown of The Crew servers, and says the action is supported by Stop Killing Games. It is published on 2026-03-31.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.quechoisir.org/action-ufc-que-choisir-jeux-video-l-ufc-que-choisir-assigne-ubisoft-en-justice-suite-a-la-fermeture-du-jeu-the-crew-n175318/", "outlet": "UFC-Que Choisir", "published": "2026-03-31", "quote": "L’UFC-Que Choisir poursuit en justice l’éditeur de jeux vidéo Ubisoft devant le Tribunal Judiciaire de Créteil, suite à la fermeture des serveurs de son jeu de course en ligne The Crew." } ] }, { "id": 1043, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1043", "date": "2026-04", "date_precision": "month", "title": "Ubisoft settles the The Crew ownership case for $2 million", "summary": "The Sacramento County Superior Court preliminarily approved a settlement of the refiled Cassell action. The fund totals $2,000,000, and class members elect either $7 in cash or $15 in Ubisoft store credit.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento", "Ubisoft", "Matthew Cassell", "Alan Liu", "Angel Cerrato", "The Crew" ], "parties": [ "superior-court-of-california-county-of-sacramento", "ubisoft", "matthew-cassell", "alan-liu", "angel-cerrato", "the-crew" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T04:00:38.379050+00:00", "note": "Hand-checked on the settlement administrator's own site: the preliminary-approval language is on the home page and the $2,000,000 fund on the FAQ. The exact approval date is not stated on either page, so the entry keeps month precision.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.crewgamesettlement.com/", "outlet": "Crew Game Settlement administrator", "published": null, "quote": "The Court in charge of this action has preliminarily approved the Settlement as fair, reasonable, and adequate, and must decide whether to give final approval to the Settlement." }, { "url": "https://www.crewgamesettlement.com/faq", "outlet": "Crew Game Settlement administrator", "published": "2026-04-28", "quote": "A Settlement Fund has been created, totaling $2,000,000." } ] }, { "id": 1651, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1651", "date": "2026-04-08", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Court preliminarily approves PlayStation voucher settlement", "summary": "The Northern District of California preliminarily approved the PlayStation Store voucher settlement. The proposed settlement provides $7.85 million in PlayStation Network account credits, with mailed payments available to eligible purchasers with deactivated accounts.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Adrian Cendejas", "Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC", "PlayStation Store", "PlayStation Network" ], "parties": [ "adrian-cendejas", "sony-interactive-entertainment-llc", "playstation-store", "playstation-network" ], "published_at": "2026-09-30T09:37:10.523462+00:00", "note": "The order grants preliminary approval of the proposed settlement, which provides a $7.85 million settlement amount in PSN account credits and permits qualifying members with deactivated accounts to receive equivalent funds by U.S. mail. The order is dated April 8, 2026.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://psndigitalgamessettlement.com/media/vyojqfuk/0224-2026-04-08-order-granting-motion-for-preliminary-approval.pdf", "outlet": "U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California", "published": "2026-04-08", "quote": "“In sum, the Court finds that the PSN account credits do not reflect a coupon settlement.”" } ] }, { "id": 1044, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1044", "date": "2026-04-16", "date_precision": "day", "title": "European Parliament holds hearing on Stop Destroying Videogames", "summary": "The European Parliament held a public hearing on Stop Destroying Videogames. The hearing was held under Article 14(2) of the European Citizens' Initiative Regulation.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "European Parliament", "Stop Destroying Videogames" ], "parties": [ "european-parliament", "stop-destroying-videogames" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T04:00:38.379050+00:00", "note": "The page states that the initiative was presented in a public hearing at the European Parliament on 16 April 2026, in accordance with Article 14(2) of the ECI Regulation.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/stop-destroying-videogames-commissions-reply-european-citizens-initiative_en", "outlet": "European Citizens' Initiative register", "published": null, "quote": "This initiative was also presented in a public hearing at the European Parliament on 16 April 2026, in accordance with Article 14(2) of the ECI Regulation." } ] }, { "id": 1045, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1045", "date": "2026-04-21", "date_precision": "day", "title": "PlayStation buy-button plaintiffs send Sony two CLRA demand letters", "summary": "The four future plaintiffs sent Sony demand letters under the Consumer Legal Remedies Act on 21 April and 11 May 2026, the statutory notice a consumer must give before suing for damages. They say Sony did not answer either one.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Andrew Garcia", "Edward Heycock", "Jason Mendoza", "John Salinas", "Sony" ], "parties": [ "andrew-garcia", "edward-heycock", "jason-mendoza", "john-salinas", "sony" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T04:00:38.379050+00:00", "note": "The page states that the four plaintiffs said they sent two CLRA demand letters on April 21, 2026, and May 11, 2026, respectively, and that Sony did not answer them. This supports the April 21, 2026 timeline entry.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/console-gaming/playstation-store-buy-button-class-action-may-never-reach-a-courtroom", "outlet": "Tom’s Hardware", "published": "2026-09-01", "quote": "The four plaintiffs claim they sent two CLRA demand letters on April 21, 2026, and May 11, 2026, respectively, which Sony didn't answer." } ] }, { "id": 1649, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1649", "date": "2026-04-21", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Weber dismisses his own GameStop case and the court terminates it", "summary": "Jake Weber filed a notice of voluntary dismissal in Weber v. GameStop, Inc. on 20 April 2026, and the next day the court entered a minute order that resolved the pending motions to compel and to dismiss and terminated the case. The docket does not record whether the dismissal was with or without prejudice. It closes the case this page opened with Weber's January demand letter and complaint over GameStop's “buy” language, without a ruling on that language.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Jake Weber", "GameStop", "U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California" ], "parties": [ "jake-weber", "gamestop", "us-district-court-for-the-eastern-district-of-california" ], "published_at": "2026-10-15T07:35:35.360441+00:00", "note": "Repaired on 2026-10-15. The entry was filed in April citing a Justia docket page that returns HTTP 403 to the fetcher, so it could not be verified and sat as a candidate. The CourtListener docket for 2:26-cv-00060 (E.D. Cal.) carries the 20 April notice of voluntary dismissal and the 21 April termination, and is readable. The original title said the case was dismissed “with prejudice”, which the Justia quote asserted; that phrase appears nowhere on the CourtListener docket, so the claim was dropped rather than carried on a source a reader cannot open.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72124943/weber-v-gamestop-inc/", "outlet": "CourtListener", "published": "2026-04-21", "quote": "Minute Order AND Order on Motion to Compel AND Order on Motion to Dismiss/Lack of Jurisdiction AND ~Util - Terminate Civil Case" } ] }, { "id": 1047, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1047", "date": "2026-05-21", "date_precision": "day", "title": "European Parliament debates Stop Destroying Videogames in plenary", "summary": "The European Parliament held a plenary-session debate on Stop Destroying Videogames. The debate took place on May 21, 2026.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "European Parliament", "Stop Destroying Videogames" ], "parties": [ "european-parliament", "stop-destroying-videogames" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T04:00:38.379050+00:00", "note": "The page states that the European Parliament held a debate on the initiative in its plenary session on 21 May 2026. The quoted sentence appears on the page, with the same wording.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/stop-destroying-videogames-commissions-reply-european-citizens-initiative_en", "outlet": "European Citizens' Initiative register", "published": null, "quote": "The European Parliament held a debate on this initiative in its plenary session on 21 May 2026." } ] }, { "id": 1024, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1024", "date": "2026-06-11", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Claims close in the The Crew settlement", "summary": "Class members had until 11 June 2026 to file a claim. Cassell, Liu and Cerrato had alleged that Ubisoft misled buyers into believing they were paying for ownership of The Crew when they were getting a limited licence; Judge Jill H. Talley of the Sacramento County Superior Court set the fairness hearing for 13 November 2026.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Ubisoft" ], "parties": [ "ubisoft" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.767784+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.crewgamesettlement.com/assets/uploads/cassell_v_ubisoft_final_long_form_notice_260428_1777561056.pdf", "outlet": "Cassell v. Ubisoft settlement notice", "published": "2026-04-28", "quote": "Plaintiffs Matthew Cassell, Alan Liu, and Angel Cerrato allege that Ubisoft misled consumers into believing that when they purchased Ubisoft's video game The Crew, consumers were paying for ownership rights over The Crew when consumers were only receiving a limited license to access The Crew." } ] }, { "id": 1025, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1025", "date": "2026-06-16", "date_precision": "day", "title": "The Commission says it cannot require publishers to keep games playable", "summary": "In its formal answer the Commission concluded it could not propose a legal obligation to keep video games playable once they stop being sold, pointing to intellectual property and copyright constraints. It offered instead to work on a code of conduct for managing the end of a game's life.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "European Commission", "Stop Destroying Videogames" ], "parties": [ "european-commission", "stop-destroying-videogames" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.767820+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://outof.games/news/9185-the-european-commission-answers-to-the-stop-killing-games-movement/", "outlet": "Out of Games (European Commission communication)", "published": "2026-06-16", "quote": "In its reply, the Commission cannot propose a legal obligation to keep video games playable after they stop being provided commercially." }, { "url": "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX%3A52026XC03601", "outlet": "European Commission, Official Journal of the European Union", "published": "2026-07-09", "quote": "“This Communication sets out the Commission’s legal and political conclusions on the initiative, the action it intends to take, its reasons for doing so and the envisaged timeline.”" } ] }, { "id": 1026, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1026", "date": "2026-06-18", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Four PlayStation owners sue Sony over the Store's buy button", "summary": "Andrew Garcia, Edward Heycock, Jason Mendoza and Josh Salinas filed in the Northern District of California, pleading the new Section 17500.6 alongside the Consumer Legal Remedies Act on behalf of a proposed class of California buyers. The complaint targets the PlayStation Store's buy and purchase labels for customers who receive only a revocable licence.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Sony" ], "parties": [ "sony" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.767863+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/console-gaming/playstation-store-buy-button-class-action-may-never-reach-a-courtroom", "outlet": "Tom's Hardware", "published": "2026-08-25", "quote": "Four PlayStation owners, Andrew Garcia, Edward Heycock, Jason Mendoza, and Josh Salinas, filed the complaint on June 18 in the Northern District of California, pleading violations of Business and Professions Code § 17500.6, the state's False Advertising Law, and the Consumer Legal Remedies Act on behalf of a proposed class of California purchasers." } ] }, { "id": 1027, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1027", "date": "2026-07-02", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Opt-out deadline passes in the separate PlayStation Store voucher settlement", "summary": "Caccuri v. Sony, the $7.85 million class action over Sony ending third-party sales of game-specific download vouchers, reached its exclusion and objection date. It covers digital games bought on the PlayStation Store between 1 April 2019 and 31 December 2023 that had previously been available as a voucher at retail.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Sony" ], "parties": [ "sony" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.767901+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://psndigitalgamessettlement.com/home/", "outlet": "PSN Digital Games Settlement administrator", "published": "2026-07-02", "quote": "If, during the period April 1, 2019 to December 31, 2023, you purchased a Digital Game through the PlayStation Store that was previously available through a Game-Specific Voucher, you may be eligible to receive a payment from a class action lawsuit settlement." } ] }, { "id": 1653, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1653", "date": "2026-07-13", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Deadline passes to opt out of or object to Ubisoft settlement", "summary": "The settlement website stated that class members had until July 13, 2026, to opt out of or object to the Ubisoft settlement. It instructed members seeking exclusion to mail or deliver their requests by that date.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Matthew Cassell", "Alan Liu", "Angel Cerrato", "Ubisoft, Inc.", "The Crew" ], "parties": [ "matthew-cassell", "alan-liu", "angel-cerrato", "ubisoft", "the-crew" ], "published_at": "2026-09-30T09:37:10.523462+00:00", "note": "The FAQ states that exclusion requests must be mailed or delivered with a postmark no later than July 13, 2026. It also states that objections and notices of intent to appear must be filed and mailed by that same date.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.crewgamesettlement.com/faq", "outlet": "Crew Game Settlement administrator", "published": null, "quote": "“You must mail or deliver your exclusion request postmarked no later than July 13, 2026, to:”" }, { "url": "https://www.crewgamesettlement.com/", "outlet": "Crew Game Settlement administrator", "published": null, "quote": "“Class Members may still opt out of or object to the Settlement until July 13, 2026.”" } ] }, { "id": 1049, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1049", "date": "2026-08-20", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Heycock plaintiffs dismiss Sony Corporation of America", "summary": "The Heycock plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed Sony Corporation of America from the PlayStation Store case. Sony Interactive Entertainment remained the sole defendant.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Sony Corporation of America", "Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC", "Edward Heycock", "Andrew Garcia", "Jason Mendoza", "John Salinas" ], "parties": [ "sony-corporation-of-america", "sony-interactive-entertainment-llc", "edward-heycock", "andrew-garcia", "jason-mendoza", "john-salinas" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T04:00:38.379050+00:00", "note": "The page states that the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed co-defendant Sony Corporation of America on August 20, one day before Sony's motion, leaving Sony Interactive Entertainment as the sole defendant. The quoted wording appears on the page.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/console-gaming/playstation-store-buy-button-class-action-may-never-reach-a-courtroom", "outlet": "Tom’s Hardware", "published": "2026-09-01", "quote": "The plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed co-defendant Sony Corporation of America on August 20, one day before Sony’s motion, leaving Sony Interactive Entertainment as the sole defendant." }, { "url": "https://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/candce/3%3A2026cv06016/472492", "outlet": "U.S. federal docket mirror", "published": "2026-06-18", "quote": "Filing 1 COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405, receipt number ACANDC-22115326.). Filed by John Salinas, Edward Heycock, Andrew Garcia, Jason Mendoza." } ] }, { "id": 1028, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1028", "date": "2026-08-21", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Sony moves to send the buy-button case to arbitration", "summary": "Sony asked Judge Vince Chhabria to compel individual arbitration under the clause it added to the PlayStation Network terms in 2011, and only in the alternative to dismiss. The terms require US users to arbitrate individually and waive class actions unless they mailed an opt-out within 30 days of accepting them.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Sony", "Vince Chhabria" ], "parties": [ "sony", "vince-chhabria" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.767941+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/console-gaming/playstation-store-buy-button-class-action-may-never-reach-a-courtroom", "outlet": "Tom's Hardware", "published": "2026-08-25", "quote": "Section 14 of the PlayStation Terms of Service requires U.S. users to resolve disputes through binding individual arbitration and waives class actions, unless the user mails a written opt-out to Sony's legal department in San Mateo within 30 days of accepting the terms." } ] }, { "id": 2183, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n2183", "date": "2026-09", "date_precision": "month", "title": "Court sets a 15 October fairness hearing on the PlayStation voucher settlement", "summary": "The settlement administrator said the court had scheduled the fairness hearing for 2:00 p.m. on 15 October 2026, before Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín in the Northern District of California. It is the hearing at which the $7.85 million voucher settlement Cendejas moved to approve in September is either granted final approval or not.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Caccuri", "Cendejas", "Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC", "PlayStation Store", "United States District Court for the Northern District of California" ], "parties": [ "caccuri", "cendejas", "sony-interactive-entertainment-llc", "playstation-store", "united-states-district-court-for-the-northern-district-of-california" ], "published_at": "2026-10-15T07:35:35.360441+00:00", "note": "The administrator's page gives two different courtrooms for the same hearing — Courtroom 5, 2nd Floor in its \"IMPORTANT UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 2026\" and Courtroom 3, 3rd Floor in the body of the notice. The date, the time and the judge agree in both, so no courtroom is stated here.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://psndigitalgamessettlement.com/home/", "outlet": "PSN Digital Games Settlement (Notice and Settlement Administrator)", "published": "2026-09", "quote": "The Court has scheduled the Fairness Hearing for October 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., in Courtroom 5, 2nd Floor, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, California." } ] }, { "id": 1029, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1029", "date": "2026-09-01", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Sony's position: no reasonable consumer thought they owned the game", "summary": "Sony's filing argued it is not plausible that customers believed they owned their downloads outright, citing the terms of service and the licence agreement, and noted that two plaintiffs bought the same game eleven days apart. The company that once campaigned for physical media was now telling its customers in court that they never owned what they paid for.", "type": "response", "entities": [ "Sony" ], "parties": [ "sony" ], "published_at": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.767983+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/09/01/sony-playstation-dont-actually-own-digital-games-grand-theft-auto-analog-media-gen-z/", "outlet": "Fortune", "published": "2026-09-01", "quote": "The company's filing states it's simply \"not plausible\" that customers believed they owned the games outright." } ] }, { "id": 1654, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1654", "date": "2026-09-03", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Cendejas moves for final approval of PlayStation voucher settlement", "summary": "Adrian Cendejas moved for final approval of the proposed settlement with Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC. The motion sought approval of a $7.85 million settlement distributed through PlayStation Network account credits, after fees, costs, expenses, and service awards.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Adrian Cendejas", "Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC", "PlayStation Store", "PlayStation Network" ], "parties": [ "adrian-cendejas", "sony-interactive-entertainment-llc", "playstation-store", "playstation-network" ], "published_at": "2026-09-30T09:37:10.523462+00:00", "note": "The motion identifies Adrian Cendejas as Class Plaintiff and seeks final approval of a proposed settlement with Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC. It states that the $7.85 million settlement amount, less fees, costs, expenses, and service awards, will be distributed as PSN account credits; the document was filed on 2026-09-03.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://psndigitalgamessettlement.com/media/1xdpuusx/0239-2026-09-03-class-plaintiffs-motion-for-final-approval-of-proposed-settlement-and-renewed-certification-of-settlement.pdf", "outlet": "U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California filing", "published": "2026-09-03", "quote": "“Class Plaintiff moves for final approval of the proposed class action settlement with Defendant Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC.”" } ] }, { "id": 1650, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n1650", "date": "2026-09-04", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Heycock plaintiffs oppose Sony's arbitration and dismissal motion", "summary": "The Heycock plaintiffs filed an opposition to Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC's motion seeking individual arbitration, a stay, or dismissal. They argued that the 2026 PlayStation Terms arbitration provision was unconscionable.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Andrew Garcia", "Edward Heycock", "Jason Mendoza", "John Salinas", "Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC", "U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California" ], "parties": [ "andrew-garcia", "edward-heycock", "jason-mendoza", "john-salinas", "sony-interactive-entertainment-llc", "us-district-court-for-the-northern-district-of-california" ], "published_at": "2026-09-30T09:37:10.523462+00:00", "note": "The document is Plaintiffs’ response in opposition to Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC’s motion to compel arbitration or dismiss. It states, “The Court should deny the Motion because the 2026 Terms are unconscionable,” and is filed and dated September 4, 2026.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.472492/gov.uscourts.cand.472492.18.0.pdf", "outlet": "Garcia, Heycock, Mendoza & Salinas v. Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC, N.D. Cal., ECF No. 18", "published": "2026-09-04", "quote": "“The Court should deny the Motion because the 2026 Terms are unconscionable.”" } ] }, { "id": 2185, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n2185", "date": "2026-09-29", "date_precision": "day", "title": "The hearing on Sony’s bid to force the buy-button case into arbitration slips to 29 October", "summary": "The clerk continued the 1 October hearing on Sony’s motion to compel arbitration and stay proceedings, or alternatively dismiss, resetting it to 29 October before Judge Vince Chhabria. It is the motion that decides whether the claim about what “buy” means is heard in open court at all, or sent to private arbitration one buyer at a time.", "type": "other", "entities": [ "Sony Interactive Entertainment", "U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California" ], "parties": [ "sony", "us-district-court-for-the-northern-district-of-california" ], "published_at": "2026-10-15T07:35:35.360441+00:00", "note": "Dated from the docket entry. The research pass asked what became of the reported 1 October hearing and could not answer it from a readable order; the CourtListener docket shows the hearing never happened on that date.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73500986/heycock-v-sony-corporation-of-america/", "outlet": "CourtListener", "published": "2026-09-29", "quote": "CLERK'S NOTICE CONTINUING 10/1/2026 MOTION HEARING. 17 MOTION to Compel Arbitration and Stay Proceedings, or Alternatively, Dismiss Complaint Hearing reset to 10/29/2026 at 10:00 AM in San Francisco, Courtroom 03, 17th Floor before Judge Vince Chhabria." } ] }, { "id": 2184, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n2184", "date": "2026-10-09", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Case management is put off to November, but the judge refuses to pause the case", "summary": "On the parties’ stipulation the court moved the initial case-management conference from 16 October to 20 November, with a joint statement due 13 November. It refused the other half of what was asked: “The request to stay all litigation deadlines is denied.” The case goes on while the arbitration motion is pending, rather than waiting on it.", "type": "other", "entities": [ "Sony Interactive Entertainment", "U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California" ], "parties": [ "sony", "us-district-court-for-the-northern-district-of-california" ], "published_at": "2026-10-15T07:35:35.360441+00:00", "note": "Replaces the 16 October case-management conference this page had on its watch list, which the court continued on 9 October. Found on the docket, not in reporting.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73500986/heycock-v-sony-corporation-of-america/", "outlet": "CourtListener", "published": "2026-10-09", "quote": "Per the parties' 26 stipulation, the October 16 initial case management conference is continued to November 20, 2026. The request to stay all litigation deadlines is denied." } ] }, { "id": 2199, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/digital-game-ownership#n2199", "date": "2026-10-16", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Players claimed $38,633 of The Crew settlement; the lawyers are asking for $800,000", "summary": "The motion for final approval filed in Sacramento Superior Court sets out what the settlement actually delivered. Of roughly 1.8 million class members, 2,951 filed claims — 704 taking the $7 cash option and 2,247 the $15 credit — for a total value of $38,633. Class counsel asks the court for $800,000 in fees and $17,733.48 in costs, against a lodestar of $315,295 for 462.2 hours, a multiplier of about 2.484; administration cost $120,673.31 and the three named plaintiffs want $5,000 each. Ubisoft pays those sums on top of the $2,000,000 made available to the class, so they do not reduce anyone’s recovery — but the filing also records that Ubisoft \"retains no reversionary interest\" in that $2,000,000, of which players claimed under two percent.", "type": "other", "entities": [ "Ubisoft", "Bursor & Fisher" ], "parties": [ "ubisoft", "bursor-fisher" ], "published_at": "2026-10-17T01:47:02.024449+00:00", "note": "Read from the filed motion, which the settlement administrator posted on 16 October, the date the notice had promised the fee request. The claims figure is the motion’s own financial-terms table (704 × $7 plus 2,247 × $15 is $38,633). The motion does not say where the unclaimed remainder of the $2,000,000 goes, so this entry does not either; it is recorded as an open question on this page.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed", "photographer": "", "photographer_url": "", "photo_url": "", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.crewgamesettlement.com/assets/uploads/20261016_final_fa_and_fees_mtn_1792183496.pdf", "outlet": "Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento", "published": "2026-10-16", "quote": "Measured against Class Counsel’s current lodestar of $315,295, the requested award of $800,000 reflects a multiplier of approximately 2.484." } ] } ], "relations": [ { "from": 1030, "to": 1042, "kind": "responds_to", "note": "UFC-Que Choisir said it sued Ubisoft following the closure of The Crew servers." }, { "from": 1041, "to": 1649, "kind": "follows", "note": "The April 21 termination completed Weber's action filed on January 8, on his own notice of voluntary dismissal under Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(i)." }, { "from": 1028, "to": 1650, "kind": "responds_to", "note": "The September 4 filing is plaintiffs' opposition to Sony's motion, asking the court to deny it because the 2026 Terms are unconscionable." }, { "from": 1043, "to": 1653, "kind": "follows", "note": "The July 13 exclusion-and-objection cutoff was a settlement-administration step following the April Ubisoft settlement; the settlement site set that deadline for class members." }, { "from": 1651, "to": 1654, "kind": "follows", "note": "The September motion sought final approval of the proposed settlement that the court preliminarily approved in April." } ], "links": [], "key_node_ids": [ 1015, 1031, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1033, 1043, 1025, 1649, 1026, 1028, 1650 ], "catalysts": [ { "date": "2026-10-29", "title": "Hearing on Sony’s motion to compel arbitration in Heycock", "why": "The outcome could determine whether the PlayStation Store buy-button claims remain a court case or proceed individually in arbitration.", "source_url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73500986/heycock-v-sony-corporation-of-america/" }, { "date": "2026-11-13", "title": "The Crew settlement fairness hearing", "why": "Sacramento County Superior Court is scheduled to decide whether to grant final approval to the proposed $2 million Ubisoft settlement.", "source_url": "https://www.crewgamesettlement.com/assets/uploads/cassell_v_ubisoft_final_long_form_notice_260428_1777561056.pdf" }, { "date": "2026-11-13", "title": "Joint case-management statement due in Heycock", "why": "The parties must state their positions on managing the PlayStation Store case while the arbitration request remains unresolved.", "source_url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73500986/heycock-v-sony-corporation-of-america/" }, { "date": "2026-11-20", "title": "Heycock initial case-management conference", "why": "The court will address how the PlayStation Store case proceeds after declining to pause litigation deadlines.", "source_url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73500986/heycock-v-sony-corporation-of-america/" }, { "date": "2026-12", "title": "European Commission discussions on a game end-of-life code", "why": "The discussions are the Commission’s proposed alternative to a legal obligation requiring publishers to keep discontinued games playable.", "source_url": "https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/stop-destroying-videogames-commissions-reply-european-citizens-initiative_en" }, { "date": "2026-12", "title": "European Commission report on the Digital Content Directive", "why": "The planned assessment may clarify the Commission’s view of existing consumer-law protections when digital access is revoked.", "source_url": "https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/stop-destroying-videogames-commissions-reply-european-citizens-initiative_en" } ], "open_questions": [ "Will the court enforce Sony’s PlayStation Network arbitration clause and prevent the buy-button claims from proceeding as a class action in court?", "Will Sacramento County Superior Court grant final approval to the proposed $2 million The Crew settlement, and on what final terms?", "Why did Weber voluntarily dismiss the GameStop case, and was the dismissal with or without prejudice? The available docket account does not say.", "No court ruling in the timeline has yet decided whether GameStop’s or Sony’s challenged buy language violates Section 17500.6.", "What commitments, if any, will result from the Commission’s proposed game end-of-life code of conduct after it declined to seek a binding preservation obligation?" ], "metrics": [], "related": [ { "slug": "sony-playstation-6", "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/sony-playstation-6", "json": "https://whatledto.com/events/sony-playstation-6.json" }, { "slug": "nintendo-switch-2", "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/nintendo-switch-2", "json": "https://whatledto.com/events/nintendo-switch-2.json" }, { "slug": "gta-6-release", "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/gta-6-release", "json": "https://whatledto.com/events/gta-6-release.json" } ], "changelog": [ { "date": "2026-10-17T01:48:04.823161+00:00", "kind": "summary", "summary": "Summary, key players and catalysts refreshed.", "node_ids": [] }, { "date": "2026-10-17T01:47:02.781170+00:00", "kind": "seed", "summary": "Seeded 1 hand-verified node(s) from digital-game-ownership.yaml.", "node_ids": [ 2199 ] }, { "date": "2026-10-15T07:36:09.417528+00:00", "kind": "summary", "summary": "Summary, key players and catalysts refreshed.", "node_ids": [] }, { "date": "2026-10-15T07:35:35.422181+00:00", "kind": "publish", "summary": "Added 4 node(s): 2026-04-21 Weber dismisses his own GameStop case and the court terminates it; 2026-09 Court sets a 15 October fairness hearing on the PlayStation voucher settlement; 2026-09-29 The hearing on Sony’s bid to force the buy-button case into arbitration slips to 29 October; 2026-10-09 Case management is put off to November, but the judge refuses to pause the case.", "node_ids": [ 1649, 2183, 2185, 2184 ] }, { "date": "2026-10-15T07:32:51.479147+00:00", "kind": "seed", "summary": "Seeded 2 hand-verified node(s) from digital-game-ownership.yaml.", "node_ids": [ 2185, 2186 ] }, { "date": "2026-10-15T07:32:29.914782+00:00", "kind": "seed", "summary": "Seeded 1 hand-verified node(s) from digital-game-ownership.yaml.", "node_ids": [ 2184 ] }, { "date": "2026-10-15T07:30:00.050818+00:00", "kind": "research", "summary": "Research run found 1 candidate node(s).", "node_ids": [ 2183 ] }, { "date": "2026-10-10T04:43:14.376772+00:00", "kind": "research", "summary": "Research run found 0 candidate node(s).", "node_ids": [] }, { "date": "2026-10-05T03:27:33.933599+00:00", "kind": "research", "summary": "Research run found 1 candidate node(s).", "node_ids": [ 1825 ] }, { "date": "2026-09-30T09:37:58.757597+00:00", "kind": "summary", "summary": "Summary, key players and catalysts refreshed.", "node_ids": [] }, { "date": "2026-09-30T09:37:10.538696+00:00", "kind": "publish", "summary": "Added 4 node(s): 2026-04-08 Court preliminarily approves PlayStation voucher settlement; 2026-07-13 Deadline passes to opt out of or object to Ubisoft settlement; 2026-09-03 Cendejas moves for final approval of PlayStation voucher settlement; 2026-09-04 Heycock plaintiffs oppose Sony's arbitration and dismissal motion.", "node_ids": [ 1651, 1653, 1654, 1650 ] }, { "date": "2026-09-30T09:36:37.042141+00:00", "kind": "research", "summary": "Research run found 5 candidate node(s).", "node_ids": [ 1651, 1652, 1653, 1654, 1655 ] }, { "date": "2026-09-30T09:31:28.987064+00:00", "kind": "research", "summary": "Research run found 2 candidate node(s).", "node_ids": [ 1649, 1650 ] }, { "date": "2026-09-30T07:59:24.949224+00:00", "kind": "research", "summary": "Research run found 0 candidate node(s).", "node_ids": [] }, { "date": "2026-09-25T02:49:16.447680+00:00", "kind": "research", "summary": "Research run found 3 candidate node(s).", "node_ids": [ 1508, 1509, 1510 ] }, { "date": "2026-09-18T07:57:15.086381+00:00", "kind": "research", "summary": "Research run found 2 candidate node(s).", "node_ids": [ 1406, 1407 ] }, { "date": "2026-09-14T03:30:20.002430+00:00", "kind": "seed", "summary": "Seeded 1 hand-verified node(s) from digital-game-ownership.yaml.", "node_ids": [ 1221 ] }, { "date": "2026-09-13T04:00:59.184385+00:00", "kind": "summary", "summary": "Summary, key players and catalysts refreshed.", "node_ids": [] }, { "date": "2026-09-13T04:00:38.396600+00:00", "kind": "publish", "summary": "Added 14 node(s): 2024-04 Players report Ubisoft revoked The Crew licences from accounts; 2024-04-01 The Crew becomes inoperable after Ubisoft's server shutdown; 2024-06-19 European Commission register publishes Stop Destroying Videogames initiative; 2024-11-04 Cassell and Liu file federal proposed class action against Ubisoft and 10 more.", "node_ids": [ 1031, 1030, 1032, 1033, 1035, 1038, 1040, 1041, 1042, 1043, 1044, 1045, 1047, 1049 ] }, { "date": "2026-09-13T03:58:51.995927+00:00", "kind": "research", "summary": "Research run found 20 candidate node(s).", "node_ids": [ 1030, 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, 1035, 1036, 1037, 1038, 1039, 1040, 1041, 1042, 1043, 1044, 1045, 1046, 1047, 1048, 1049 ] }, { "date": "2026-09-13T03:51:54.775111+00:00", "kind": "seed", "summary": "Seeded 15 hand-verified node(s) from digital-game-ownership.yaml.", "node_ids": [ 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1020, 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024, 1025, 1026, 1027, 1028, 1029 ] } ], "license": { "holder": "What Led To", "terms": "https://whatledto.com/methodology#reuse", "summary": "Quote entries with attribution and a link to the entry; do not republish whole timelines or train models on the text." } }