France's consumer association UFC-Que Choisir has filed a lawsuit against video-game publisher Ubisoft for shutting down the online game "The Crew" [1].
The legal action challenges the industry practice of disabling access to purchased digital content. Because the case centers on digital ownership rights, the outcome could influence how video games are preserved and accessed across the European Union [1, 2].
UFC-Que Choisir filed the complaint in a French court on March 31, 2024 [1]. The association said that the permanent shutdown of a game that consumers purchased infringes on their rights as owners [1, 2]. This move by Ubisoft has sparked a broader debate regarding the stability of digital libraries, and the ability of players to retain access to software after a company decides to end server support [1, 2].
Digital ownership in the gaming industry often exists as a license to play rather than a permanent purchase of the software. The consumer group said that this model undermines game-preservation efforts within the EU [1, 2]. By removing the ability to play the game entirely, the publisher effectively deletes the product from the consumer's library — a move the association deems illegal [1, 2].
Ubisoft has not provided a public statement through the provided records regarding the specific legal arguments of the suit. However, the case highlights a growing tension between corporate control of live-service games and the expectations of the people who buy them [1, 2].
“The case centers on digital ownership rights.”
This lawsuit represents a pivotal challenge to the 'games-as-a-service' business model. If the court finds that Ubisoft violated consumer rights, it may force publishers to provide offline modes or open-source server tools before shutting down online titles. This would shift the balance of power from software publishers back toward consumers and digital historians.
