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Ubisoft Defends Limited Licensing in The Crew Lawsuit

The publisher argues players never owned the game, while plaintiffs cite misleading packaging and expired digital currency claims.

Overview

  • Ubisoft has filed a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit brought by two California gamers over the shutdown of The Crew’s servers in March 2024.
  • The company maintains that players purchased a limited license to access the game, not perpetual ownership, citing clear disclaimers on packaging and terms of use.
  • Plaintiffs argue Ubisoft implied long-term access by including activation codes valid until 2099 and claim the game's digital currency violates California's gift card laws by expiring.
  • Ubisoft contends the claims are time-barred and that players received the benefit of their bargain, having enjoyed access to the game for nearly a decade.
  • The case highlights broader industry debates over digital ownership, with Ubisoft announcing offline modes for newer titles but not for the original The Crew.