Valve Fined $2.1 Million By Australian Court For Refund Policy
A Federal Court in Australia has fined Valve $2.1 million for consumer law violations that occurred due to the company’s policy of refunds on Steam. In particular, the punishment is centered on the fact that Steam had no advertised refund system in place between 2011 and 2014. Justice Edelman ruled that Valve “engaged in conduct which was misleading or deceptive or likely to mislead or deceive in contravention” by telling its customers that they had no right to refund for any games purchased through the online store. The fine must be paid within 30 days, unless the company plans to appeal the ruling The ruling also states that the following notice must also be displayed to all Australian users of Steam: “On 24 March 2016, the Federal Court of Australia found that Valve Corporation had engaged in misleading conduct contrary to the Australian Consumer Law in representing to Australian consumers via the Steam Subscriber Agreement and Steam Refund Policy that consumers had no entitlement to a refund in any circumstances