Steam’s ‘no refunds’ policy challenged in Australia

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is challenging Valve over its ‘no refunds’ policy.

Of course, Valve isn’t the only software house not to offer any refunds on games. But Valve and its Steam platform is the most high profile. The aforementioned commission argues Valve is in violation of the country’s consumer laws.

Valve may be an American company with no physical presence in Australia, but it is carrying on business in Australia by selling to Australian consumers, who are protected by the Australian Consumer Law,” said ACCC Chairman Rod Sims.

The ACCC claims that Valve is making the a series of ‘false representations’ to Australian consumers.

These include the fact that Valve states it does not give refunds and that it says it is under no obligation to repair, replace or provide a refund for a product. The group also claims: "Valve had excluded, restricted or modified statutory guarantees and/or warranties that goods would be of acceptable quality."

A hearing is scheduled for October 7th.