Sony Stands Its Ground That Customers Do Not Own Digital Games; They Are Just Purchasing a License to Use Them

[Peter_Brosdahl]

Sony has drawn the line in the sand where it stands regarding ownership of games when it comes to digital purchases by making the distinction of licensing in a court hearing. On August 21, Sony stated in a California court, per Gamefile, that “you can use a product in the ways described in the license, […]

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[Grimlakin]

I hold to if you're not selling me a product but a license then I can't steal a product I am only licensed for.

Yea I know its bullshit. I would say that I or users should be able to install software on a trial basis to test it without owning it. A Development trial so to speak.

I mean MS does that with SQL and other software. No reason that sony can't do the same... other than fear their use is so short lived that it wouldn't go full retail in a timely manner.

 

[MadMummy76]

But you do not even own the license since they reserve the right to revoke it at any time without reason.

 

[gdansk]

Legally they are correct. But if it ever goes to a jury trial (it won't), and I'm on that jury (not likely), then their legal overreach will not be enforced.

What people want is simple. They want to pay for a copy of a game to play whenever. Even if Sony's license to distribute the game was revoked. It can shared with my friend(s) or resell later if I do not care for it anymore. And they should be allowed to make a backup of any data.

Steam is perhaps the closest, but still hasn't digitized the resale aspect and limits sharing to a small family group. These are regressions compared to the earlier days of e.g. SNES cartridges.