Valve companygame distribution platform developer steamhas just amended its terms of use to inform its users that they will no longer be purchasing the games themselves, but rather the licenses. When a customer validates the basket, a box is now displayed before the checkout step indicating this “Purchasing a digital product licenses the product on Steam.”
Distinguish between purchase and possession
In doing so, Valve appears to want to pre-empt the law passed a few weeks ago in California, which will take effect next year. This new one is called “AB 2426”. Systems Requires businesses that offer digital goods online to specify to their customers that they are purchasing a user-only license. In this case, no player can claim to be the exclusive owner of the game, but only to be the holder of a license that can be used via Steam.
The debate over customer ownership of online games came to a head in April, whenUbisoft has decided to remove the online racing game “The Crew” from its users’ libraries. Many players were angry, equating the end of the game with stealing. Terms and conditions set by you Ubisoft However, he made it clear that purchasing the game grants a license to the user.
Step enough?
It remains to be seen whether this amendment to the General Terms of Use, which applies worldwide, will comply with California law. The developer always mentions the word “buying”while the regulatory text explicitly indicates that the conditions “He buys” or “acquires” It will no longer be allowed next year. If the regulator believes Valve has not been transparent enough, it could be fined advertisement He lies.
Selected for you
