Can you sell steam games? :: Steam Discussions

Crazy Tiger Sep 12, 2020 @ 3:29am

You can become a developer,create a game, pay the entry fee and release it through Steam. You can then sell your game on Steam.

If you are talking about the games in your library, no, you cannot sell them. You might want to read the SSA a tad better, you bought non-transferable licenses for the games.

#1

Yasahi Sep 12, 2020 @ 3:30am

Your question is open for interpretation. Do you mean:

1. Can I sell games that I have previously purchased? Answer is NO, they're tied to your account forever.
2. Can I operate a "gifting" business where I take money outside Steam and then gift the item to the person? Answer is NO, against the rules and can get you in deep waters.
3. Can I run a business that sells Steam keys? Answer is YES, there's plenty of companies that sell Steam keys that they purchase from the devs. There's also shady grey market companies that purchase from other sources.

#2

KrustySlice Sep 12, 2020 @ 3:33am

Oh okay

#3

SLAYER187 Sep 12, 2020 @ 6:39am

omg really?? LOL

#4

lukaself Sep 12, 2020 @ 6:52am

It's not that absurd of a question. Being unable to resell digital licenses is purely a thing within the US. In Europe it's common to be able to resell individual software licenses and Valve, Apple, Adobe, all have been in courts in several countries for it... Some ruled that it's unlawful to block resell of digital software licenses, despite the terms of the agreement and Valve for one, appealed to that decision. There are companies there specializing in the resale of second-hand digital software licenses.

Moreover, Europe has released a set of consumer-oriented laws entering into effect in 2021 (The Digital Content Directive[eur-lex.europa.eu] which established that digital software licenses are products you own, to its full meaning. We'll have to wait to see how individual countries apply that law to see how it will affect the Digital Economy.

Last edited by lukaself; Sep 12, 2020 @ 6:53am

#5

JVC Sep 12, 2020 @ 7:59am

Originally posted by lukaself:
Moreover, Europe has released a set of consumer-oriented laws entering into effect in 2021 (The Digital Content Directive[eur-lex.europa.eu] which established that digital software licenses are products you own, to its full meaning. We'll have to wait to see how individual countries apply that law to see how it will affect the Digital Economy.

I've used computers for 30 years and have never seen a Danish court challenge the right to prohibit the resale of software. Where do you see that interpretation in the EU directive? Clause 20 speaks of software on physical mediums (dvd, cd-rom), and clause 21 speaks of software integrated into a physical product (e.g. software in a satnav, a smart tv or a smart watch).

The main objective for the directive is to give the same consumer protection throughout the EU and to give people a refund option if a download is defective.

https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/factsheet_digital_contracts.pdf

Last edited by JVC; Sep 12, 2020 @ 8:06am

#6

lukaself Sep 12, 2020 @ 8:25am

Originally posted by JVC:
I've used computers for 30 years and have never seen a Danish court challenge...

Which is completely normal since Denmark opted out of the EU's home and justice affairs laws in 2009 and confirmed it by referendum in 2015 so EU's civil and commercial regulations do not concern your country.

What you called "clause 22" was actually the preliminary hearings and specific case scenarios... the actual text of law is a bit further down.

Again, we'll have to wait 2021 to see how countries implement those laws as not all countries agree on the particular topic of the first sale doctrine applied to digital products. However it's not out of the question that the sudden general push for game subscriptions in the industry might be in anticipation to that legislation coming into effect because in this case, there won't be any confusion that this is a subscription and not a purchase.

Last edited by lukaself; Sep 12, 2020 @ 8:55am

#7

lukaself Sep 12, 2020 @ 9:02am

Originally posted by Kusa:
Originally posted by lukaself:
In Europe it's common to be able to resell individual software licenses
Not game software licenses. There is no existing law in the EU to enable this to happen.
Quote the law rather than spread false information.

The dispute started with UsedSoft vs Oracle[curia.europa.eu] which established the precedent which was then demonstrated as applicable to video games with Valve vs UFC[www.windowscentral.com]. As I noted though, not all countries agree on this as Germany interpreted the European law differently in VZBV vs Valve[spielerecht.de]

Some countries agree and others don't that video games should not be excluded from the first sale doctrine. I'm not trying to start anything, just pointing out things that may have an impact on how we use our game libraries in the near future. It's verifiable information so I don't see the need for being so antagonistic. (But well, the Steam forums being what they are... Everyone please have a nice day. I'm out)

Last edited by lukaself; Sep 12, 2020 @ 9:33am

#8

Nx Machina Sep 12, 2020 @ 9:03am

Originally posted by lukaself:
In Europe it's common to be able to resell individual software licenses

Not game software licenses. There is no existing law in the EU to enable this to happen.

Quote the law rather than spread false information.

#9

Nx Machina Sep 12, 2020 @ 9:09am

Originally posted by lukaself:
UsedSoft vs Oracle[/url] which established the precedent which was then demonstrated as applicable to video games with Valve vs UFC[www.windowscentral.com]. As I noted though, not all countries agree on this as Germany interpreted the European law differently in VZBV vs Valve[spielerecht.de]

Some countries agree and others don't. I'm not trying to defend anything, just pointing out verifiable information so I don't see the need for being so antagonistic.

The OP asked if you could sell Steam games they did not ask for speculation.

The answer is you CANNOT resell game software licenses anywhere in the world.

1) Usedsoft does not sell game licenses.

2) Germany ruled against reselling.

3) It is a ruling in France, a ruling is NOT law nor applicable EU wide. If it becomes law it is only applicable to France.

Rather than post rhetoric about cases and EU documents post the EU law, the ACTUAL law that allows you to resell game license software in the EU. It does not exist but I'll wait for you to post it.

Last edited by Nx Machina; Sep 12, 2020 @ 9:33am

#10

JVC Sep 12, 2020 @ 9:23am

Originally posted by lukaself:
Originally posted by JVC:
I've used computers for 30 years and have never seen a Danish court challenge...
Which is completely normal since Denmark opted out of the EU's home and justice affairs laws in 2009 and confirmed it by referendum in 2015 so EU's civil and commercial regulations do not concern your country.

Denmark is as much a part of the EU's commercial laws as other member states. The opt-out you mention has nothing to do with commercial law, it concerns immigration, asylum and movement of people. https://um.dk/da/udenrigspolitik/eu/danmark-i-eu/de-danske-eu-forbehold/ (no. 4).

Thanks for clarifying it is a ruling by a French court. Since the EU is not a federation, court rulings are irrelevant outside of that particular judge's own juridiction.

Last edited by JVC; Sep 12, 2020 @ 9:23am

#11

I>U Sep 12, 2020 @ 9:24am

Anyone could re-sell games purchased at Steam previously - which actually helped the platform to grow as big as it is - but Valve had plugged this method with 30 days period of friendship and making gifts not tradable in the end.

That's Valve's strategy since, like, 2017 - they are consistently advancing on the "free Market" they had created themselves. In reality, the best of those people always find their ways around. So, if majority is unable to use bots because of Mobile Authentificator, that doesn't mean that everyone can't do so.

Just like that, you can still buy a game with discount (that is very likely origins from RMT) through the gift. You can find such offers in youtube reviews, for example. And, from my personal experience, those are legit (despite not being possible techincally for a guy like me or you).

So, to answer your question - yes, you can. If you are special and can do things that others can't.

#12

cSg|mc-Hotsauce Sep 12, 2020 @ 9:27am

Originally posted by I>U:
Anyone could re-sell games purchased at Steam previously - which actually helped the platform to grow as big as it is - but Valve had plugged this method with 30 days period of friendship and making gifts not tradable in the end.

That's Valve's strategy since, like, 2017 - they are consistently advancing on the "free Market" they had created themselves. In reality, the best of those people always find their ways around. So, if majority is unable to use bots because of Mobile Authentificator, that doesn't mean that everyone can't do so.

Just like that, you can still buy a game with discount (that is very likely origins from RMT) through the gift. You can find such offers in youtube reviews, for example. And, from my personal experience, those are legit (despite not being possible techincally for a guy like me or you).

So, to answer your question - yes, you can. If you are special and can do things that others can't.

The inventory gift system was not for reselling and that's why it was removed.

#13

Nx Machina Sep 12, 2020 @ 9:29am

Originally posted by I>U:
Anyone could re-sell games purchased at Steam previously - which actually helped the platform to grow as big as it is - but Valve had plugged this method with 30 days period of friendship and making gifts not tradable in the end.

That's Valve's strategy since, like, 2017 - they are consistently advancing on the "free Market" they had created themselves. In reality, the best of those people always find their ways around. So, if majority is unable to use bots because of Mobile Authentificator, that doesn't mean that everyone can't do so.

Just like that, you can still buy a game with discount (that is very likely origins from RMT) through the gift. You can find such offers in youtube reviews, for example. And, from my personal experience, those are legit (despite not being possible techincally for a guy like me or you).

So, to answer your question - yes, you can. If you are special and can do things that others can't.

You have never been able to resell Steam games.

You only purchase a license to play the game and that license is tied to the account they were purchased on.

#14

I>U Sep 12, 2020 @ 9:35am

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

The inventory gift system was not for reselling and that's why it was removed.

:qr:

Yeah, CS:GO and TF2 keys were not for re-selling either, and their very placement on Steam Market was a bug

And Trading Cards were not for RMT, despite sites like Steamexchange featuring people from Valve as their benefactors.

The whole Steam market was not created for roulettes, yet TRADING bots (not specifically market bots) were or are alowed, still.

Sure, the nation platform loves your money, boy , I got it.

#15

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