Mexico is entering the global conversation surrounding digital video game ownership with a new consumer rights initiative. Luis Donaldo Colosio Riojas, President of the Mexican Senate’s Digital Rights Commission, has announced legislative changes designed to better protect consumers in the country's evolving digital marketplace.
This initiative, spearheaded by Colosio Riojas and federal deputy Iraís Reyes, seeks to provide greater clarity on what consumers acquire when purchasing digital products. A key aim is to compel companies to explicitly state whether a purchase grants ownership of a product or merely a license to use it. The proposal also advocates for digital preservation measures, enabling consumers to continue playing digital games even after official servers are shut down, a goal that echoes similar consumer rights arguments made in California.
Furthermore, the initiative addresses the lack of consumer-facing support for many companies selling digital goods in Mexico. It proposes requiring businesses to maintain a physical address within Mexico, thereby creating a channel for authorities to intervene in cases of consumer rights violations.
This push comes as the industry increasingly shifts towards digital distribution. Sony’s plan to discontinue physical disc support in 2028 has intensified scrutiny on digital ownership, prompting groups like Stop Killing Games to advocate for enhanced consumer protections in the European Union. Earlier this year, Colosio Riojas and Reyes filed an antitrust complaint against Sony concerning its move away from physical media. The transition to digital has been met with considerable backlash from players, with Sony reportedly surveying game developers about their perspectives on the digital-only future.