Summary
A UK tribunal has allowed a lawsuit against Valve Corporation, the company behind the Steam game store, to proceed. The lawsuit, led by Vicki Shotbolt, claims Valve's pricing practices are unfair and keep users locked into their platform. Up to 14 million UK Steam users could potentially receive compensation if the case succeeds.
Key Facts
- Valve Corporation will face a £656 million lawsuit in the UK over Steam's pricing practices.
- The case claims Valve abuses its dominant position by enforcing restrictive terms on game publishers.
- The lawsuit argues that Steam locks users into its platform for buying additional content, charging up to a 30% commission.
- Digital rights campaigner Vicki Shotbolt filed the case on behalf of up to 14 million UK Steam users.
- The lawsuit, a collective action claim, means one person represents a group of people in court.
- Legal firm Milberg London LLP supports the claim, specializing in group action cases.
- A similar consumer action lawsuit against Valve was filed in the US in August 2024.
- Valve's Steam platform, launched in 2003, is the leading PC game distribution platform worldwide.
