Is buying steam keys illegal?

[Olek]

I have bought steam keys from simplycdkeys.com and cdkeys.com. the sites are trustable and all the games i bought from there work prefectly as if i bought them from the steam store itself. And the games are extremly cheap, somtimes less than half of the price on steam. But i am wondering if this is legal or illegal? am i in danger of losing my steam account? as far as i know i have never heard steam say anything about buying steam keys online. And then what about https://www.humblebundle.com/? you also buy steam keys from them and they work with the developers directly so i would think its legal.

[Olek]

Why does the moderators cencor the other websites but not humblebundle?

[FFL2and3rocks]

Originally posted by King in the North:

Why does the moderators cencor the other websites but not humblebundle?

Probably because the other websites are scams.

There are lots of shady websites that sell used or fake keys. Sometimes they're cheap because they are Russian versions and they expect you to activate it with a VPN, which can get you banned.

[Olek]

Originally posted by FFL2and3rocks:

Originally posted by King in the North:

Why does the moderators cencor the other websites but not humblebundle?

Probably because the other websites are scams.

Worked fine for me.

[FFL2and3rocks]

So far, maybe.
There have been other threads where someone asked about a CD key reseller because they suddenly got a fake key after buying a few that worked.

[Olek]

Originally posted by FFL2and3rocks:

So far, maybe.
There have been other threads where someone asked about a CD key reseller because they suddenly got a fake key after buying a few that worked.

Worked so far for me. But do u know if i will get in trouble from buying them?

[Kickin' Chicken]

Originally posted by King in the North:

Originally posted by FFL2and3rocks:

Probably because the other websites are scams.

Worked fine for me.

What's your theory?

[FFL2and3rocks]

If there's a problem with a key, they'll probably just remove the game from your account, like they did here a while ago:
http://steamcommunity.com/app/4920/discussions/0/846947320630475371/

If you're using a VPN to activate games that normally don't work in your region, then you can get banned for going around region restrictions.

[Ogami]

Its not illegal but you do it at your own risk. Expect no help from STEAM if a key should turn out to be not working. I myself bought about 200 Games from different Key Sites. Never had a problem till now. Once a key was already used but i contacted the seller and he gave me a new key and an apology. That was the worst that ever happened. But i would stay clear from very cheap russian keys.
In the end it is something everyone must decide for themself.

[FFL2and3rocks]

That website is known for selling used, fake, and fraudulently-obtained keys. Do not buy from them.

[Faolchu]

Originally posted by FFL2and3rocks:

That website is known for selling used, fake, and fraudulently-obtained keys. Do not buy from them.

True, last year i bought Titanfall from them to play on Origin, after 3 months suddenly my game dissappeared and it got revoked.

[J4MESOX4D]

Any sites that are filtered within Steam aren't endorsed by Valve. If you buy from those sites; Steam can remove any games bought through these mediums and without any reason or notice. One of the above sites was in the news recently for allowing someone to publish and sell thousands of Ubisoft keys obtained using a stolen credit card. Also sites like this buy cheap physical copies, sell the key and then distribute the used games to 3rd parties down the line who then sell the games on to people who can claim the original key off of you. Too many shady sites out there now.

Reputable sites like HumbleBundle are fully endorsed whereby the site buys keys direct from the developers/publishers. GMG and DRM-Free GOG are also excellent.

[TirithRR]

Authorized sellers, like Humble Bundle, Amazon, GMG, etc. all get their keys directly from the game Publishers. Other, unauthorized sellers, get their keys from users who purchase their keys from various authorized places.

The issues happen when those users who sell their keys on or to these unauthorized sites purchased their keys fraudulently, and the key is either no good, or revoked.

Like in this case, with Far Cry 4 and Assassin's Creed Unity keys:
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-01-26-it-looks-like-ubisoft-is-going-after-third-party-key-sellers

Ubisoft revoked all the stolen and fraudulently purchased keys, and many users who purchased the games from the unauthorized dealers lost their games.

Originally posted by J4MESOX4D:

Any sites that are filtered within Steam aren't endorsed by Valve.

None of the sites are "endorsed" by valve. The filter is set per reports and moderator involvement. There are a handful of legitimate, authorized sellers who are filtered.

While the filter is a good indicator, just because a site is filtered it does not alone mean it is bad, and just because a site is not filtered does not alone mean it is good. And neither indicate anything about whether or not Valve "endorses" the site.

[Azza ☠]

Originally posted by Luringen:

Why does the moderators cencor the other websites but not humblebundle?

It's not mod censored, rather a steam database list to censor, because they are illegal, scams or shady. HumbleBundle is legal, the others are most likely not and at your own risk.

[TirithRR]

Originally posted by fauxtronic:

I've always thought it a shame Valve didn't have some kind of authorised sellers program. Then at least people would have peace of mind when using certain online retailers.

Valve really can't though, because they don't have the rights to say who can or cannot sell licenses (except for Valve published things, obviously)

Only the Publishers have that right.

[Olek]

despite for everyone claiming its illegal, i have bought tons of keys and they are extremly cheap and every key has worked. i have not heard anything about steam making extra effort to remove these sites either. guessing steam still makes good revenue from the keys even though i am not buying directly from steam