# US lawmaker calls videogame purchases rentals disguised as sales

> US lawmaker says game purchases are rentals, not sales: 'When you pay for a game, you should own it'.
- Title: US lawmaker calls videogame purchases rentals disguised as…
- Summary: US lawmaker says game purchases are rentals, not sales: 'When you pay for a game, you should own it'. US Representative Ritchie Torres introduces bill to…
- Keywords: lawmaker, videogame, purchases, rentals, sales, ownership, bill, representative, ritchie torres, online games, decommissioned, calls
- Source: PC Gamer — https://pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/us-lawmaker-calls-videogame-purchases-rentals-disguised-as-sales-when-you-pay-for-a-game-you-should-own-it
- Published: 2026-10-16T00:08:45+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: us, lawmaker, videogame, purchases, rentals, sales, ownership, bill, representative, ritchie torres, online games, decommissioned
## US lawmaker calls game purchases rentals
US Representative Ritchie Torres says game purchases are rentals disguised as sales.

> When you pay for a game, you should own it
## Bill targets online game ownership
Torres will introduce bill to protect game ownership for decommissioned online games.
## Lawmaker's stance on game sales
Torres argues that when you pay for a game, you should own it.

> When you pay for a game, you should own it
## Bill aims to prevent rental models
The bill ensures game purchases grant full ownership rights, not temporary rentals.
## Online games face decommissioning
Online games that are decommissioned currently lack clear ownership rights.
## Bill protects consumer rights
Torres' bill addresses consumer concerns about game ownership after decommissioning.
## Lawmaker's bill introduction
Representative Ritchie Torres will introduce the bill on October 16, 2 2026.
## Bill's purpose explained
The bill ensures players own games they purchase, even if the game service shuts down.
## Consumer impact of current model
Current game sales models treat purchases as temporary rentals when services shut down.
## Bill's key provision
The bill mandates that game purchases grant permanent ownership rights to players.
## Bill's timeline
Torres introduced the bill on October 16, 2026, for immediate legislative action.
## Bill's significance
This bill addresses a growing consumer rights issue in the gaming industry.
## Bill's potential effect
The bill could ensure players retain game ownership when services shut down.
## Bill's next steps
The bill is expected to be debated in the coming weeks for legislative approval.
## Key takeaway

US Representative Ritchie Torres introduces bill to ensure game purchases grant ownership rights, not rentals.