Updated Mar 17, 2026 by Video Games Europe
The European video game industry, comprising over 5,100 studios and 90,000 employees, opposes the European Commission’s proposal to classify standalone software as 'products' under the Product Liability Directive (PLD).
Industry stakeholders argue that the proposed no-fault liability regime for physical goods is ill-suited for complex cultural works like video games, which are already governed by existing frameworks such as the Digital Content Directive and GDPR.
Public support for extending liability to intangible items like software remains low, with only 48% of respondents in the Commission’s own impact assessment favoring such measures for video games.
The sector warns that the PLD’s vague definition of 'defectiveness' and 'reasonably foreseeable misuse' could penalize iterative software development and frequent patching practices.
The European video game market generated approximately €23 billion in consumer spending in 2021, and the industry maintains that current self-regulation, such as the PEGI age-rating system used in 38 countries, provides sufficient consumer protection.
The EGDF, representing over 2,500 studios and 45,000 employees, contends that the proposed one-size-fits-all regulation will increase litigation risks and stifle innovation across the 27 EU Member States.
The European video game industry, comprising over 5,100 studios and 90,000 employees, opposes the European Commission’s proposal to classify standalone software as 'products' under the Product Liability Directive (PLD).
Industry stakeholders argue that the proposed no-fault liability regime for physical goods is ill-suited for complex cultural works like video games, which are already governed by existing frameworks such as the Digital Content Directive and GDPR.
Public support for extending liability to intangible items like software remains low, with only 48% of respondents in the Commission’s own impact assessment favoring such measures for video games.
The sector warns that the PLD’s vague definition of 'defectiveness' and 'reasonably foreseeable misuse' could penalize iterative software development and frequent patching practices.
The European video game market generated approximately €23 billion in consumer spending in 2021, and the industry maintains that current self-regulation, such as the PEGI age-rating system used in 38 countries, provides sufficient consumer protection.
The EGDF, representing over 2,500 studios and 45,000 employees, contends that the proposed one-size-fits-all regulation will increase litigation risks and stifle innovation across the 27 EU Member States.