Why is Selling/Trading accounts forbidden?

[Albcatmastercat]

As title states, can someone explain to me why can't you do it?
Also, I saw on the SSA: "Unless allowed by Valve" or something like that; does that mean that Support may allow it if one submits a ticket?
Thanks for listening.
(Not that I am about to sell or trade my account; I'm just curious...)

[Cathulhu]

Because you do not own an account, you can not sell/trade what you do not own. Valve owns all Steam accounts and grants those who create them permanent but not transferrable using rights.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Your Account, including any information pertaining to it (e.g.: contact information, billing information, Account history and Subscriptions, etc.), is strictly personal. You may therefore not sell or charge others for the right to use your Account, or otherwise transfer your Account, nor may you sell, charge others for the right to use, or transfer any Subscriptions other than if and as expressly permitted by this Agreement (including any Subscription Terms or Rules of Use) or as otherwise specifically permitted by Valve.

No, you can not sell or transfer your account.

The "or as otherwise specifically permitted by Valve" is in reguards to game gifts, skin/item trades, ect., as is allowed through gifting, the community market and trading.

[Albcatmastercat]

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

Because you do not own an account, you can not sell/trade what you do not own. Valve owns all Steam accounts and grants those who create them permanent but not transferrable using rights.

Ah, I see. However:

Originally posted by Steam SSA:

You may not reveal, share or otherwise allow others to use your password or Account except as otherwise specifically authorized by Valve.

Would that mean that Valve Support can allow it in some way?

Originally posted by Spawn Of Totoro:

Your Account, including any information pertaining to it (e.g.: contact information, billing information, Account history and Subscriptions, etc.), is strictly personal. You may therefore not sell or charge others for the right to use your Account, or otherwise transfer your Account, nor may you sell, charge others for the right to use, or transfer any Subscriptions other than if and as expressly permitted by this Agreement (including any Subscription Terms or Rules of Use) or as otherwise specifically permitted by Valve.

No, you can not sell or transfer your account.

The "or as otherwise specifically permitted by Valve" is in reguards to game gifts, skin/item trades, ect., as is allowed through gifting, the community market and trading.

Ninja'd :P
Thanks for the information, both of you ^.^

[Cathulhu]

Valve can allow it, they reserved the right to do that. But so far, they haven't done that once.

[Albcatmastercat]

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

Valve can allow it, they reserved the right to do that. But so far, they haven't done that once.

The main reason I made this thread is:
What if the person who one is going to share the account with is their relative (Parent-Kids) for instance?

[Cathulhu]

Valve can't verify who is using the account if it's the same PC in the same household, so that is kinda a grey area.
But it's not recommended. Wouldn't be the first time an angry parent posts in Discussions because their child got their account VAC banned, or used their credit card to purchase goods worth several hundred dollars.

[Kickin' Chicken]

Originally posted by Albcatmastercat:

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

Valve can allow it, they reserved the right to do that. But so far, they haven't done that once.

The main reason I made this thread is:
What if the person who one is going to share the account with is their relative (Parent-Kids) for instance?

That's what Family Sharing's for.

[Albcatmastercat]

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

Valve can't verify who is using the account if it's the same PC in the same household, so that is kinda a grey area.
But it's not recommended. Wouldn't be the first time an angry parent posts in Discussions because their child got their account VAC banned, or used their credit card to purchase goods worth several hundred dollars.

I remember seeing something like that on VAC Discussion...

Originally posted by Kickin' Chicken:

Originally posted by Albcatmastercat:

The main reason I made this thread is:
What if the person who one is going to share the account with is their relative (Parent-Kids) for instance?

That's what Family Sharing's for.

I had forgotten all about it...

[FFL2and3rocks]

Valve and the publishers get no money when you buy an account, so they want you to buy games on your own account instead. Publishers have never liked used game sales that they can't control cutting into their profits.