Ubisoft has clarified that purchasing a game does not grant players "unfettered ownership rights," but rather a "limited license to access the game." This statement comes in response to a lawsuit filed by two dissatisfied players of the original The Crew, following Ubisoft's decision to shut down the game's servers in March 2024, rendering the 2014 racing title completely unplayable, regardless of whether it was bought physically or digitally.

While Ubisoft made efforts to develop offline versions of The Crew 2 and The Crew: Motorfest, allowing continued play, no such measures were implemented for the first game. The lawsuit, initiated by the gamers at the end of last year, claims they believed they were buying permanent ownership of The Crew, not just a license to use it. They likened the situation to buying a pinball machine only to find essential parts missing years later.

According to Polygon, the plaintiffs allege Ubisoft violated several California laws, including False Advertising Law, Unfair Competition Law, and Consumer Legal Remedies Act, along with common law fraud and breach of warranty claims. They also argue that Ubisoft contravened state laws regarding gift cards, which cannot expire. Evidence presented included images of the game's activation code, valid until 2099, suggesting long-term playability.

Ubisoft's legal team countered by stating that consumers were clearly informed at the time of purchase that they were buying a license, not perpetual access. They noted that packaging from Xbox and PlayStation included warnings that Ubisoft could terminate online features with 30 days' notice. Ubisoft has filed a motion to dismiss the case, but if unsuccessful, the plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial.

In related developments, digital marketplaces like Steam now explicitly warn customers that they are purchasing a license, not the game itself. This change follows a California law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, mandating digital platforms to clarify the nature of such purchases. However, this law does not stop companies from withdrawing access to content but ensures buyers are informed about the license terms before purchasing.