German Organization Sues Steam for Game Resale Policy
The VZBV is suing Valve.
The Federation of German Consumer Organization (VZBV), a non-governmental, umbrella organization for 41 German consumer groups, is suing Valve over the Steam EULA, which prevents customers from reselling digital games.
Essentially, VZBV's issue with Valve is the fact that Steam ties keys to users, meaning users only partially own their games. "If I pay the full price for a game, then why am I not allowed to do with it what I want?" stated VZBV project manager Carola Elbright.
The VZBV warned Valve back in September and was asked to change the company's policy. Valve ignored the warning, hence why the VZBV is now taking legal action against the developer.
Valve, which apparently has yet to receive notice of the complaint, seems rather unconcerned. "[W]e understand the complaint is somehow regarding the transferability of Steam accounts, despite the fact that this issue has already been ruled upon favorably to Valve in a prior case between Valve and the VZBV by the German supreme court. For now, we are continuing to extend the Steam services to gamers in Germany and around the world," stated Valve director of marketing Doug Lombardi.

In general, steam doesn't want it's users competing with steam on the service of selling games. Why would you pay steam's price for a game when another steam user is selling their copy for $5 less?
The ONLY people in the gaming community that are happy about used game sales are consumers. Publishers & distributors like Steam don't like it because they don't get a "cut". If it were up to them, you'd have to pay even just to watch someone else play the game.
I never ever ever buy used Pc games as to the serial keys usually are always still being used by the original owner for the multiplayer aspect.
If they didn't use SERIAL keys, then I can see this as an issue.
In general, steam doesn't want it's users competing with steam on the service of selling games. Why would you pay steam's price for a game when another steam user is selling their copy for $5 less?
The ONLY people in the gaming community that are happy about used game sales are consumers. Publishers & distributors like Steam don't like it because they don't get a "cut". If it were up to them, you'd have to pay even just to watch someone else play the game.
dont like it? go buy a physical copy and resell it. no one is forcing you to use steam
I guess this is sort of contrary to the console direction. You can sell games now, but your friend may have to buy an activation key to play the game on xbox live, or ps network. In the future I have the feeling games will be tied to you xbox "next" ID.
I guess this is sort of contrary to the console direction. You can sell games now, but your friend may have to buy an activation key to play the game on xbox live, or ps network. In the future I have the feeling games will be tied to you xbox "next" ID.
you could very well make one account per game, which would allow for easy sale and allow multiple people to play different games at the same time. you opted out of this option for the sake of convenience for one user.
that was your choice.
I love that last line of the quote "For now, we are continuing to extend the Steam services to gamers in Germany..."
AKA if we were to lose the court case, you simply no longer get Steam.
Excellent point on the subject. I saw left for dead on goodwill for 5 buck's and knew I could not use it anyway because the key code would be tied to another account anyway. So what's the point. Steam is convenient and cheap. I don't see what the point is of buying a game, playing it for hours on end, then all the sudden you are so cheap you have to sell it for 5 bucks to recoup your purchase.
Reselling games isn't really a good thing in my opinion. The publisher doesn't get additional money, just places like gamestop. Plus, you're selling an experience. It's like a movie, you can't just resell your ticket stub and let someone else mooch off your initial purchase...
This is one of many downsides to Valve and why I try not to buy games from them.
More choice is never a bad thing; I mean seriously why would you NOT want to have this option? If game transfer were allowed the game could easily change the Key upon transfer to the new account (email). Obviously Valve wants to milk what would be re-sellers market.
Physical Media: You break it or lose it, you need another copy to play (good for publishers.) You are free to resell it or give/lend it to a friend (good for consumers.)
Digial Distribution: You will always have a copy for yourself, accessible from just about anywhere (good for consumers.) You are not able to resell it or give/lend it to a friend (good for publishers.)
Consumers cannot resell digitally distributed games for the same reason publishers cannot charge for reselling of physical media. You get one benefit from your chosen medium, not both.
So, take your pick, publishers and consumers. Pick which medium offers you the most benefits, and quit trying to have your cake and eat it too.
valve is a good company, when they do well they pass on the benefits to the people that got them there. i have a couple games i got completely for free from valve and a pile of games i got for considerably cheaper than any other avenue has ever been able to offer them for.
you cant have it all.
Hell, i'd be happy just to gift games i'm finished with. That would be awesome.
However, this is not the right way to approach it. Are the steam users going to get a settlement on behalf of this court case if "we" win? doubt it.
Physical Media: You break it or lose it, you need another copy to play (good for publishers.) You are free to resell it or give/lend it to a friend (good for consumers.)
Digial Distribution: You will always have a copy for yourself, accessible from just about anywhere (good for consumers.) You are not able to resell it or give/lend it to a friend (good for publishers.)
Consumers cannot resell digitally distributed games for the same reason publishers cannot charge for reselling of physical media. You get one benefit from your chosen medium, not both.
So, take your pick, publishers and consumers. Pick which medium offers you the most benefits, and quit trying to have your cake and eat it too.
CD/DVD could easily by copied and are allowed at least in U.S. as a "back up". So use that instead of original disk.
Also, Steam has no storefront(s) to keep open. That greatly reduces costs.
The only benefit I see from Steam is "portability"; able to get games on computers connected to internet.
If steam wants to ban your internet-based game they are allowed and never let you petition/dispute.
Likewise if they go out of business tomorrow you own nothing- be it single or multiplayer game.
Edit: wow apparently there are tons of Valve fanboy leg humpers here.