Sony said players can continue to access and play their purchased digital PlayStation games as usual, but a one-time online check is required after purchase to confirm the game’s license, after which no further check-ins are needed [1]. This affects only newly bought digital games and not physical copies or previously purchased titles [2].

Reports first surfaced on April 25 when YouTuber Modded Warfare noticed newly purchased PlayStation 4 digital games showed a 30-day countdown timer for license validity. If the timer reached zero without an online check, access to the game could be removed [2]. On PlayStation 5, the timer is hidden but an error message appears when launching a game without verifying the license online [2].

Both reports linked the issue to the earlier "CBOMB" problem involving PlayStation consoles' CMOS battery failures causing digital license loss, but Sony did not address this connection in their statement [1, 2].

One report suggested the 30-day timer may have been introduced to prevent exploitation of PlayStation Network’s 14-day refund window, although Sony has not confirmed this [1]. Another anonymous insider told a video game preservation outlet the issue was unintentional and was caused by Sony accidentally breaking something while trying to fix a refund exploit [2].

Sony stated, "Players can continue to access and play their purchased games as usual. A one-time online check is required after purchase to confirm the game's license, after which no further check-ins are needed" [1]. According to Sony, if the online check is completed within 15 days after purchase, the limited offline license becomes indefinite and no further online checks are necessary [1].

The controversy includes differing views on whether the new online check is intentional digital rights management or an accidental bug. Sony confirms the check as a policy, while an insider claims it was unintentional [1, 2]. There is also disagreement on whether the 30-day timer is a permanent requirement; Sony says it is not if the online check happens within 15 days, but some suspected ongoing connectivity would be needed every 30 days [1, 2].

The reports were published May 5 amid public confusion and discussion surrounding the new licensing checks and their impact on game access [1, 2].