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milberg.co.uk

The UK specialist competition tribunal has certified the £656m legal claim against Valve brought by children’s rights campaigner, Vicki Shotbolt. This marks a significant first victory for the class of around 14 million PC gamers against Valve – the owner of popular gaming platform, Steam.

The claim alleges that Valve has abused its dominant position in the PC gaming market under UK competition law by imposing excessive commission charges and anti-competitive restrictions on game developers selling gaming titles on the Steam platform.

These excessive commission charges are passed onto consumers by way of increased prices for PC games and in-game content.

Ms Shotbolt, the class representative, asserts that Valve’s conduct has increased the prices of games across the entire market. Therefore the class is not limited to Steam users but also includes purchasers of PC games and downloadable content on other gaming platforms and distribution channels.

  • FirmDistribution@lemmy.worldEnglish
    20·
    10 hours ago

    PC gamers win the first battle against Valve Corporation…

    Wtf am I winning here? Will I see any money from this £656m amount?

    • Beep@lemmus.orgOPEnglish
      6·
      10 hours ago

      About the claim

      Anyone who has purchased PC games or add-on content in the UK between 4 June 2018 to 4 June 2024, is automatically included and potentially entitled to compensation if the case is won. Consumers are encouraged to sign-up at https://steamyouoweus.co.uk/ to be kept up to date on the case.

      Collective proceedings involve a claim brought by a class representative on behalf of a defined group of persons who have suffered loss as a result of a breach of competition law. There is no guarantee that compensation will be made available in the future – the case must first be won in the Competition Appeal Tribunal, unless an earlier settlement is agreed.

      • mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        10·
        9 hours ago

        And it’ll total to about a buck for each person that claims, because the lawyers are going to take almost all the money and you’re suckling their bollocks for no reason

        • GreyEyedGhost@piefed.caEnglish
          1·
          7 hours ago

          Probably closer to 20 pounds if they are awarded the full amount, and the general rule seems to be that the lawyers get about 30%, but the overall sentiment of your statement is correct.