Sony has responded to growing confusion surrounding a newly discovered DRM system tied to PlayStation game purchases, but the full picture still isn’t entirely clear.
In a statement shared with press (h/t Eurogamer), Sony attempted to calm concerns after players noticed a 30-day license timer attached to newly purchased PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games. According to the company, the system is far less restrictive than it initially appeared.
“Players can continue to access and play their purchased games as usual,” Sony said. “A one-time online check is required after purchase to confirm the game’s license, after which no further check-ins are needed.”
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That clarification comes after widespread concern that players would need to reconnect to the internet every 30 days just to retain access to their games. Early reports — and some questionable screenshots of support — suggested exactly that, sparking backlash over ownership and always-on requirements.
However, further investigation revealed a different reality. While the 30-day timer is real, it appears to function more as a temporary license window. If players connect online within roughly two weeks of purchase, the system converts that limited license into a permanent offline one. After that, no additional check-ins are required.
Sony Hasn’t Addressed The CBOMB Issue
Sony hasn’t officially explained why this system exists, but speculation points to a potential effort to curb refund abuse on the PlayStation Store, which currently allows refunds within 14 days of purchase. That said, one major concern remains unaddressed: the so-called “CBOMB” issue.
For those unfamiliar, CBOMB refers to a long-standing problem tied to a console’s CMOS battery. If the battery dies, the system can struggle to verify digital licenses, potentially locking users out of their games entirely. Community testing suggests that with this new DRM in place, consoles with a dead CMOS battery may be unable to complete the required license validation, locking players out of newly purchased titles.
That’s where things get murky. While Sony has clarified how the one-time check works, it has yet to comment on how this system interacts with the CBOMB issue or what happens years down the line when servers are eventually shut off.
For now, the immediate concern appears to be resolved. Players who go online shortly after purchasing a game shouldn’t run into any access issues moving forward. But the long-term implications are still up in the air. And until Sony addresses them directly, questions aren’t going away anytime soon.
Published: Apr 30, 2026 02:37 pm