"Grey Market" Retail

[antiPLUR]

I am seeing a lot of people posting on community pages about "great deals" they got on keys from so called "grey market" retailers. There seems to be a lot of misconception about these license keys, but the short version is that they are NOT valid licenses and just because the Steam client adds a game to your library when they are entered doesn't change this fact. It is an analogue to piracy, except that both the consumer AND the developer, as well as the storefront where the keys are redeemed are being taken advantage of.

My view is if I buy a stereo from a guy who just robbed Best Buy, I'm accepting stolen goods. Just because I paid money for it doesn't change the fact that its stolen. If I didn't want to purchase games legitimately, I wouldn't be on Steam. I'd imagine most people making these purchases don't understand the ramifications.

Does Valve have an official stance on the use of grey market keys? Is there an FAQ snippet I may be able to link in these threads to help educate people?

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Tell them to use https://isthereanydeal.com/

And this is it for KB articles...

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7480-WUSF-3601

[J4MESOX4D]

Not all 'grey market' keys are stolen - the retailer is simply not an authorised reseller of digital media. Some sites buy global keys in cheaper regions and then sell them at a higher rate elsewhere for instance. The stolen key market has been discussed to death for many years now and despite it's awareness, people will still use dodgy sellers through shady sites.

Some developers also need to control their keys better and either sell into a proper supply chain or vet purchasers instead of chasing bulk orders from randoms over the globe.

[StickyPawz]

Since the steam store doesn't sell keys, it falls under the general warning that any 3rd party key-issues/problems are handled by the store you bought them from.

[antiPLUR]

Originalmente postado por J4MESOX4D:

Not all 'grey market' keys are stolen

This is true, but all grey market keys are in violation of the developers EULA. Why purchase a license and violate the license agreement at the same time? Its counterintuitive, which leads me to believe that people are under the false impression that what they are paying for is just as good/legal/legitimate as what they purchase on Steam's own store.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Just tell them to stop trusting their [insert fav YouTuber or fav Esports team] who advertise or are sponsored by these shady sites.

[J4MESOX4D]

Originalmente postado por antiPLUR:

Originalmente postado por J4MESOX4D:

Not all 'grey market' keys are stolen

This is true, but all grey market keys are in violation of the developers EULA

But then the developers are in violation of their own EULA by allowing their keys to fall into the wrong hands trying to chase a quick bulk buck.

People are largely aware of the nature of cheap keys but they always take the risk regardless and many developers will always wholesale their keys if the money is right without taking adequate consideration.

Both parties are equally responsible for this problem and both are the ones who get burned at the end of the day.

If developers want safe and secure trading then they should not produce keys and instead distribute their products locked to a platform like Steam or via an API through an authorised retailer.

If X game suddenly has a bulk 10,000 order from Nigeria and then the global keys are being flogged in Switzerland for a beefy profit whilst the payment method is then revoked as stolen, the devs can't really complain.

[antiPLUR]

Originalmente postado por J4MESOX4D:

Originalmente postado por antiPLUR:

This is true, but all grey market keys are in violation of the developers EULA

But then the developers are in violation of their own EULA by allowing their keys to fall into the wrong hands trying to chase a quick bulk buck.

People are largely aware of the nature of cheap keys but they always take the risk regardless and many developers will always wholesale their keys if the money is right without taking adequate consideration.

Both parties are equally responsible for this problem and both are the ones who get burned at the end of the day.

If developers want safe and secure trading then they should not produce keys and instead distribute their products locked to a platform like Steam or via an API through an authorised retailer.

If X game suddenly has a bulk 10,000 order from Nigeria and then the global keys are being flogged in Switzerland for a beefy profit whilst the payment method is then revoked as stolen, the devs can't really complain.

I understand your position, but it sounds a lot like "The bank vault was unlocked so I took the money"

The bank's (or developer/publisher's in this case) negligence doesn't justify the thief's actions, whether malicious or ignorant.

I wasn't looking to start a debate on this (although I think you've brought up an interesting perspective and I am enjoying the exchange) I was just wondering if there was an official valve statement released regarding the issue. It sounds like it's been left somewhat vague and bundled under the umbrella of "Issues with keys purchased elsewhere are not our issue", which is probably a safe stance to take from a legal standpoint so I understand why it is worded that way.