Torres Bill Takes Aim at Digital Game Ownership Rules

October 18, 2026 - 13:07

Representative Ritchie Torres has introduced the Power To The Players Act, a bill that would direct the Federal Trade Commission to establish rules protecting consumer ownership of digital video games. The proposal targets a long-standing frustration among players: the gap between buying a game and actually owning it.

Under current digital storefront policies, purchases are often framed as licenses rather than ownership. That distinction means platforms can revoke access, shut down servers, or remove titles entirely, leaving buyers with nothing to show for their money. The bill seeks to change that by requiring clearer ownership rights and enforceable protections.

The legislation outlines three main goals. First, it would safeguard digital ownership so that purchases cannot be stripped away arbitrarily. Second, it would support resale rights, allowing players to transfer or sell digital games in ways that physical copies have long permitted. Third, it would guarantee offline play, ensuring that games remain accessible even when publishers end online support or authentication servers go dark.

The FTC would be tasked with drafting and enforcing rules around these principles. Supporters argue the bill modernizes consumer protection for an industry that has shifted almost entirely to digital distribution. Critics may question how such rules would interact with existing licensing agreements and platform infrastructure.

For now, the bill marks one of the more direct legislative attempts to address digital ownership in gaming. Its path through Congress remains uncertain, but the debate it sparks touches on broader questions about what it means to buy anything in an all-digital marketplace.