All they have to do then is say that they license you a game, and you're not buying anything, despite paying for it. They already do that with online games.

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jvuygbbkuurx 6 hours ago | parent | next [-]

That is literally what most online digital goods already do, like steam.

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demaga 5 hours ago | parent [-]

Sure, but UI needs to reflect that too. I just opened Steam to verify - it definitely says 'Buy {game_name} - Add to Cart'

	▲	embedding-shape 4 hours ago \| parent [-]
		I remember saying the exact same thing here on HN like two weeks ago, which someone then promptly corrected me saying that Steam/Valve actually "explain" what their "Buy" means right before payment, and I think they were right, there is some greyed out text somewhere explaining you don't actually "Purchase a copy of the game" but you license it via Valve/Steam somehow, can't remember the details atm, later at the checkout process though.

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krzyk 6 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

That is literally in any software since like 90s. You buy license.

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franga2000 5 hours ago | parent | next [-]

It's a completely different license. A normal software license gives you the right to use version X of the software on Y computers/seats/users/... You have the original installer on the disc, you can download installers for patch releases online and save them for later, you have the activation key. At any point, you can uninstall the software and give or sell the installer and key to someone else.

What games and some software do these days is much worrse. You have a license to use their "software installation service" and their "let me run the game" service until they decide to turn them off. At any point, at their discretion, they can remove your ability to install a new copy or even run it all together.

Very different and quite recent.

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eldaisfish 6 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

right, but back in the 90s, the onus of maintaining a working copy of any software was on you. Now, Sony simply reaches into you home and can deny you access to software/movies you "bought".

These are not the same situation.

	▲	krzyk 5 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Well, yes. Always online is a problem, but it doesn't change what one buys. A thing that is easy to copy without destroying the original. So they invented licenses to contain the copying part.

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matthewfcarlson 6 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

One of the unstated points of this particular article is that these rules are ones that we as a society have. If we collectively decide that this isn’t something that should be allowed, we can make it so. There are some powerful interests that don’t want it so it’s not an easy path.

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eszed 6 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

At least that would be honest....

	▲	swat535 4 hours ago \| parent [-]
		It should just say "Rent" instead of "Buy"