Steam Clarifies Game Ownership with New Licensing Message

Valve introduces a clear disclaimer in response to California law, emphasizing that Steam purchases are licenses, not ownership.

Steam has updated its shopping cart page to explicitly inform users that game purchases are licenses, not owned copies.
The change aligns with California's new law, AB 2426, requiring digital marketplaces to clarify licensing terms to consumers.
The law was prompted by incidents where users lost access to digital content, highlighting the need for consumer protection.
Steam's update reflects broader industry trends as digital platforms face scrutiny over content ownership and revocation rights.
Valve's move may prompt other digital storefronts to adopt similar transparency measures regarding digital product licenses.