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I'm really not being obtuse. When "loaning" digital bits the only thing that could possibly be loaned is a user license. Bits are copied, not loaned. If I "loa

I'm really not being obtuse. When "loaning" digital bits the only thing that could possibly be loaned is a user license. Bits are copied, not loaned. If I "loan" you a digital game then your computer will make a copy of bits as sent by some arbitrary server possibly across the globe. You may even make a copy of different bits as your copy of the content may be for a different localization, quality setting, platform, or file format. My computer may or may not still have a copy of those bits. It is not reasonable to expect licenses to digital bits to be infinitely transferable without limit. If licenses could be transfered without limit then there is no reason for more licenses to exist than the maximum number of concurrent users. Acquire a license when you launch a game and release the license when you shut it down. A 3rd party middle man could trivially run this exchange. Popular games sell millions of copies on Steam but only a small handful can crack even 100,000 concurrent users. Assuming that you agree there should be a limit then it's just a matter of deciding where that line in the sand is drawn.

robotresearcher 13y ago
You are not wrong, it's just that your point is pointless. We know bits can be copied at close to zero cost. But the value of the bits can't be realized without the token (if DRM pertains) or can't legally be realized (if a single-user license pertains). The bits without the token have almost zero value. You are loaning the ability to realize the value of the bits. You said "Loaning digital goods is a gibberish statement." This is simply not true.
- forrestthewoods 13y ago
  I believe that the distinction between loaning digital goods and loaning a license to legally use digital goods is meaningful and important to recognize.
runn1ng 13y ago
Yes, you are never actually buying a game, you are buying a license to play it. Even with boxed versions.

robotresearcher 13y ago

You are not wrong, it's just that your point is pointless. We know bits can be copied at close to zero cost. But the value of the bits can't be realized without the token (if DRM pertains) or can't legally be realized (if a single-user license pertains). The bits without the token have almost zero value. You are loaning the ability to realize the value of the bits. You said "Loaning digital goods is a gibberish statement." This is simply not true.

forrestthewoods 13y ago
I believe that the distinction between loaning digital goods and loaning a license to legally use digital goods is meaningful and important to recognize.

runn1ng 13y ago

Yes, you are never actually buying a game, you are buying a license to play it. Even with boxed versions.