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Valve sued in Germany over used game sales

German consumer group sues Valve.

Following a ruling from the European Court of Justice in July, 2012 - which found the practice of selling used "software licenses" legal and that software publishers cannot oppose such resales - the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (VZVB) has filed a lawsuit against Valve.



It argues that Steam gamers own the games they purchase, and should have a right to re-sell them. However, with Steam accounts being linked to purchased games and with Online game restrictions, the consumer group argues that Valve does not allow users to easily sell games their previously purchased.

Valve also forbids its users to sell or transfer accounts, and was sued by VZVB for that restriction too. In that case, Valve prevailed, with the German Federal Court of Justice finding that Valve was not violating German law.

With this new case, the VZVB can use the European Court's findings as sufficient basis for a lawsuit against Valve.

The possible limitation of video game resales - across all platforms - is a hot topic right now as Sony and Microsoft prep their new consoles for the market. Video games developers/publishers have long had mixed feelings toward the sale of pre-owned games.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 1 Feb 2013 23:41

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• 5 comments

• KSib

  "snot violating"
  

  2.2.2013 00:24 #1

• Dela

  Originally posted by KSib: "snot violating" Thanks ;-)

  2.2.2013 01:31 #2

• xtago

  Steam doesn't allow anyone to resell or delete games/software they have gotten even if it's a demo.
  
  So it's a bit pointless.
  
  And the above would make it a bit hard to resell games, also digital doesn't lend to having resold items as there isn't anything to onsell to someone seeing as you never own the product and never really get a product to do anything with.

  2.2.2013 02:37 #3

• Dela

  Originally posted by xtago: Steam doesn't allow anyone to resell or delete games/software they have gotten even if it's a demo.
  
  So it's a bit pointless.
  
  And the above would make it a bit hard to resell games, also digital doesn't lend to having resold items as there isn't anything to onsell to someone seeing as you never own the product and never really get a product to do anything with.
  I think the argument - just as it was in the European Court - is more about the ability to trade the "license" to use the software (online or offline). The idea I guess is that since someone has already paid for it they should be able to trade it to someone else.

  2.2.2013 02:47 #4

• Qliphah

  It would be in fact rather easy for steam to do this. Every game steam has uses a unique key for each user registered. You can add these keys yourself if you buy a box copy of say Dawn of War. They just need to release those keys back to the customer and allow them to remove games from their library at will.
  
  

  4.2.2013 16:18 #5