When it comes to PC Gaming, there is a lot to be thankful for when it comes to Valve. The Half-Life developer was the first to release a digital distribution platform that helped see the PC market through a rough time of rampant piracy and cheating. Yet one of the things to criticize the existence of Steam and other digital platforms, is the annihilation of the PC used game market as both physical and digital copies retain no value as a collector’s item or for reselling. But in France that is changing as the French Court has ruled that Half-Life developer Valve must let consumers resell their digital Steam copies.
The ruling by the District Court of Paris came after a four-year-long legal battle initiated by UFC Que Choisir (a union for consumers) against Half-Life developer Valve. According to a post by the union, and discovered by users on Reddit, the French Court has granted consumers the right to resell games purchased through Steam with the judgement stating that Valve “can no longer oppose the resale of this copy (or copy) even if the initial purchase is made by downloading (…).” However, the question of the resale of digital copies has yet to be completely settled.
The court went on to rule in favor of the union stating that fourteen clauses were abusive. One example of these clauses is the one of Valve giving itself the right to keep the funds of users who left the platform. To which now, only in France, Valve will have to reimburse Steam wallet funds to users who request it. Another change the company will have to implement will be that the developer will no longer be able to own and exploit all of the content and mods created by users. Valve would also be responsible for users who suffer damages due to the platform’s use, its contents, and even the download of a beta version.
Valve can appeal the court’s decision but, if the verdict remains, will be fined 3,000 euros on a daily basis for a maximum of six months.
Be on the lookout for our follow-up editorial on whether this is a good or bad thing for consumers.
In the meantime, what do you think about the court’s ruling? Sound off in the comments section below!
French Court Rules Against Valve, Consumers Can Resell Digital Steam Copies
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French Court Rules Against Valve, Consumers Can Resell Digital Steam Copies
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French Court Rules Against Valve, Consumers Can Resell Digital Steam Copies
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French Court Rules Against Valve, Consumers Can Resell Digital Steam Copies
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French Court Rules Against Valve, Consumers Can Resell Digital Steam Copies
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[…] market for intangible games in France and the rights of a consumer. The initial ruling by the Paris High Court in 2019 had deemed the practice lawful, but the Court of Appeal’s decision in October 2022 has reversed this […]
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