California Outlaws the 'BUY' Button?!? | A Lawyer's Take (787)

In this episode, Richard Hoeg dives into California's AB 2426, focusing on digital content ownership and its implications for platforms like the PlayStation Network. He examines legal perspectives on digital goods, compelled speech, and transparency laws. Assembly Member Jackie Irwin's press release and task force recommendations are explored, along with a detailed breakdown of the new law's definitions and provisions. Richard discusses potential adaptations by companies, false advertising concerns, and ambiguities within the law. The episode also covers DRM, online check-ins, and listener questions, concluding with opinions on media preservation, the EU's gaming initiatives, and emulator shutdowns.

DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE (LINKS)

ARTICLES https://www.gamefile.news/p/california-ab2426-crew-call-of-duty https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/26/24254922/california-digital-purchase-disclosure-law-ab-2426 https://www.ign.com/articles/californias-new-law-will-force-storefronts-to-disclose-that-buyers-dont-actually-own-their-digitally-purchased-media https://kotaku.com/california-ab-2426-digital-games-the-crew-new-law-psn https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/california-cracks-down-on-misleading-online-purchases-with-ab-2426

LAWS https://a42.asmdc.org/press-releases/20240925-governor-newsom-signs-ab-2426-law-increases-transparency-surrounding https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/109 https://digitaldemocracy.calmatters.org/bills/ca_202320240ab2426

TOTILO TWEETS https://x.com/stephentotilo/status/1839675181129675168 https://x.com/stephentotilo/status/1841152304457634075

PSN TERMS https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psn-terms-of-service/#content-license-and-restrictions

(0:00) Introduction to California's AB 2426 and digital content ownership (5:16) Legal perspectives on digital goods and PlayStation Network's terms (9:07) Compelled speech, transparency laws, and public understanding (14:02) Assembly Member Jackie Irwin's press release and task force recommendations (19:02) Detailed breakdown of the new law's definitions and provisions (23:11) How companies might adapt to new licensing requirements and consumer behavior (27:09) The law as false advertising, exemptions, and ambiguities (32:29) Online check-ins, DRM, and the law's effectiveness (34:37) Sponsor: Acknowledgment and community support (35:17) Listener questions and discussion on the law's adoption and impact (47:25) Opinions on the EU's stop killing games initiative and emulator shutdowns (50:35) Media preservation and impact on accessibility (53:00) Closing remarks and engagement reminders