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Valve Blocks Class Action Lawsuits
Valve recently updated its Steam Subscriber Agreement that blocks users from bringing class action lawsuits against the company. Valve joins Sony, Microsoft and other companies where customers can now only bring individual claims against them.
"We considered this change very carefully," Valve explains. "It’s clear to us that in some situations, class actions have real benefits to customers. In far too many cases however, class actions don’t provide any real benefit to users and instead impose unnecessary expense and delay, and are often designed to benefit the class action lawyers who craft and litigate these claims.
"Class actions like these do not benefit us or our communities."
Valve also introduced a new dispute resolution process for customers who are unhappy with their Steam purchases. If a situation can't be resolved through normal customer support Valve will use an arbitration or small claims court.
"Valve will reimburse your costs of the arbitration for claims under a certain amount," says Valve. "Reimbursement by Valve is provided regardless of the arbitrator’s decision, provided that the arbitrator does not determine the claim to be frivolous or the costs unreasonable."
[Source: Valve]
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