> Laws trump ToS of any kind. Do you disagree with that?
What do you mean by that? The steam ToS (which are enforceable by law) make pretty clear that Valve can revoke your access to any game at any time. Further, your access is dependent on Valve's continued existence. The argument that you are "buying a license" is like saying you "buy a rental contract" at a car rental place. The contract you have with Valve to play the game allows you to play the game for an indefinite period of time, but crucially only while Valve is still in business and while they let you play the game. This is in the ToS and in the USA there is no reason (IANAL) that I see to think the courts won't enforce this contract.
> If things are different in your jurisdiction, please do share how and why
Which law in your jurisdiction makes the Valve ToS feel more like a purchase and less like a rental?
The big difference with the car rental vs a perpetual license is the perpetual aspect of it. Nobody is signing a contract with a car rental place to exchange money once and then have the car for a long, indeterminate time.
Rental contracts have defined time periods. Perpetual licenses don't. That's a massive difference.
Are you seriously arguing that ToS somehow override laws?
Since you're not a lawyer (your words) and seem to care about US laws (I don't), I am not sure what's the point of this response to a topic about digital purchases in the EU.
The confusion in this conversation seems to be centered on the difference between US and EU law. In the EU, Steam may have to change the wording on the "buy" button. It will be interesting to see.
In the US it is legal to have a "buy" button that actually purchases a longterm revocable license. I don't like it, but thats how it works on this side of the pond.
Fair enough. I think the "buy" text issue was somewhat resolved a while ago here in the EU. Yes, you may not own the game but do purchase non-revokable licence. Was it based on German law? Don't remember
I agree (hence the whole topic) however in practice steam has full control. If steam servers shut down tomorrow and the client destroys itself most games will refuse to start.
