Consumer protection

Do You Own Your Games? The Crew, AB 2426 and the Buy-Button Lawsuits

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.