A Brazilian Xbox gamer, posting on Reddit under the name Ordo_Liberal, has reportedly won a court judgement forcing Microsoft to restore an Xbox account and its accompanying digital game library after the account was suspended. Microsoft had permanently frozen the account following unauthorised access, telling the user that suspension was the only way to prevent further misuse. The case matters because it touches on a growing consumer concern: how much control people really have over digital libraries they have paid for but do not physically own.

Rather than start afresh with a new account, the gamer sued Microsoft, using a public defender at no cost owing to Brazil's consumer protection laws. The court has given Microsoft 15 days to restore access or face a fine of 150 reais (about $30) per day, capped at 1,500 reais (roughly $300). Microsoft was also ordered to pay 2,000 reais (around $400) in damages. Engadget has approached Microsoft for comment. While the sums are modest compared with class action suits, the ruling is seen as an encouraging sign for consumers wary of digital-only ownership.