German consumer group pursues legal action against Valve over Steam EULA

Valve may find itself facing a legal battle one day soon, as consumer protection group the Federation of German Consumer Association (VZBV) has officially lodged a complaint against the company with the district court in Berlin.

The issue stems from changes to Valve's Steam end-user licence agreement last year, that blocked the use of any third-party software allowing the resale of games downloaded via the service. Although Valve is due to open up the rules a little in its next EULA update, the VZBC isn't satisfied with Valve's progress so far.

Their concern is that gamers will not be able to re-sell any digitally downloaded products - in the same way they might have done at a bricks and mortar game store - and that this impedes on their consumer rights. The group is also concerned that - if and when physical game stores vanish - this may set a precedent for future digital distribution store-fronts that can essentially hold consumers to ransom for whatever price they wish.

As a result, Cinema Blend reports that the VZBV now says that Valve isn't doing enough to address concerns, and is prepared to take its claim to the Supreme Court if necessary. The group issued a full statement on the matter here.

We'll keep an eye on this one as it develops. What's your take on the issue? Should we be able to re-sell digital wares as we do on the high street? Let us know below.

Thanks PCGamesN.