Is what EA, Sony, THQ, Ubisoft, doing illegal by charging for second hand sales of used games?

Question

Sony is currently considering the possibility of an online payment model to curb preowned sales, similar to EA's online pass method.

Sony is specifically looking to implement online pass features in its first-party titles.

Similar to EA's model, the pass would open up online features in each game to those buying second hand. Alternatively, if you buy the game new, you get a code in the box for free.

“Sony joins a list of developers already using the online pass model, including Ubisoft, EA and THQ”

Sony joins a list of developers already using the online pass model, including Ubisoft, EA and THQ.

Sony European president Andrew House explained, "On the principle of making online portions of the game available or unlocked from the disc-based release for a fee, we're broadly supportive of that."

NowGamer also spoke to THQ creative director Cory Ledesma about its move into the online pass space.

"I don’t think we really care whether used game buyers are upset, because new game buyers get everything," Ledesma explained, "If used game buyers are upset that they don’t get the online feature set I don’t really have much sympathy. It’s a little blunt, but I hope we don’t disappoint people and I hope people understand that when a game is bought used we get cheated and I don’t think anyone wants that."

my question is if all the game company's join this method of extorting money from people is this allowed under the US constitution? or is this illegal, this seems what to me monopolizing "USED" products because there not making sales once a FEW used copy's become available in gamstop and gamestop re-sells them but if gamstop re-sells them shouldn't gamestop pay them for the re-sell? I think if all game company's start this method it has to be illegal to charge for a used product anyone who is familiar with the current justice system and laws give there opinions on this?

Answer 1

I don't know but I hate Gamestop



They bought all the other game companies and there is no real competition so they sell their used games at 5 dollars less than new and they only give you store credit of 10-20 dollars and they sell that game for 55.00 plus tax making a huge profit so the game makers want in on it, but of course that means more money out of our pocket

Answer 2

It's 100% legal, when a game is sold 2nd hand the devs make no money from it, if you don't like it you have 2 options, 1 don't buy the game, 2 buy it new. It's that simple.



Edit:

Also in no way is it monopolizing, there are other ways to get it, plus most game shops sell the points any way, all it means is your making slightly less of a saving on the game by buying it second hand, not only that, the fact you need the code is built in to the price.

Answer 3

These company's have very expensive lawyers. I would say anything they do like this has been ran and then re ran by there lawyers to make sure they can do it. Also consider if this where to fail they could then just start charging a fee for online gameing, so there really is no way around this if thats what they want to do.