Mexican lawmakers Luis Donaldo Colosio Riojas and Irais Reyes have introduced a legislative initiative aimed at regulating the sale of digital games and goods. The proposal mandates that publishers implement technical mechanisms to ensure games remain functional even after official servers are shut down. Furthermore, platforms would be required to clarify whether a purchase grants full ownership or merely a software usage license.
The initiative classifies license agreements for purchased content as adhesion contracts. Under the proposed rules, revoking user access without providing options for content preservation, compensation, or refunds would be considered a serious violation. Additionally, foreign digital platforms operating in Mexico would be required to establish a local legal presence or address to facilitate consumer complaints.
The legislators previously filed a complaint with the Mexican antitrust agency COFECE regarding Sony's reported plans to phase out physical PlayStation discs by 2028. They argued that a shift to digital-only sales could stifle price competition and eliminate the secondary market for games. This new proposal expands these concerns to cover all digital publishers.
The initiative is currently in the proposal stage and has not yet been enacted into law. The final text and official numbering are pending, and there is no confirmed schedule for a parliamentary vote. The ultimate scope of the provisions and the level of support from the assembly remain uncertain.
