Valve has added a new disclosure to its video game distribution storefront Steam, clarifying that users do not own the games they purchase and instead only have access to a license for the product bought.
The addition to Steam’s shopping cart page now reads, “A purchase of a digital product grants a license for the product on Steam.”
The reasoning for the addition has not been officially confirmed, but it is likely due to a new law. In September 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law forcing digital storefronts to clearly state that customers are purchasing a license to use digital media, rather than owning the actual product.
This comes as a direct response to companies removing content from users’ accounts. In April 2024, after the shutdown of the online-only racing game The Crew, Ubisoft began deleting the game directly from players’ accounts. Sony also attempted to remove Discovery shows from PlayStation libraries in December 2023 but backtracked the move shortly after.
With the law coming into effect in 2025, Valve has likely added the new disclosure to get ahead of it. With digital storefronts banned from using terms such as “buy” or “purchase” for any digital products other than a license, Valve already seems to have covered its bases.
Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.
Edwin Teo
