Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Steam games are licensed, not sold.
Licenses grant users certain rights, such as the right to install and play the game.
Licenses can be revoked by Valve, the company that operates Steam.
If a license is revoked, users will lose access to the game.

Steam User Agreement

When you purchase a game on Steam, you are not actually buying the game itself. Instead, you are purchasing a license to use the game. This license is governed by the Steam User Agreement (EULA).

The EULA grants you certain rights, including the right to:

Install and play the game on your computer
Make backup copies of the game
Transfer the license to another computer

The EULA also includes some restrictions, such as:

You cannot sell or rent the game
You cannot modify the game files
You cannot create derivative works based on the game

License Revocation

Valve has the right to revoke your license for any reason. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

If you violate the EULA
If you engage in fraud or other illegal activities
If Valve believes that your account has been compromised

If your license is revoked, you will lose access to the game. You will also not be entitled to a refund.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why are Steam games licensed instead of sold?

A: Valve licenses its games instead of selling them because it gives the company more control over the distribution and use of its games. For example, Valve can prevent users from selling or renting their games, and it can revoke licenses for users who violate the EULA.

Q: What are my rights as a Steam licensee?

A: As a Steam licensee, you have the right to install and play the game on your computer, make backup copies of the game, and transfer the license to another computer. You also have the right to access customer support from Valve.

Q: What are my obligations as a Steam licensee?

A: As a Steam licensee, you are obligated to comply with the EULA. This includes not selling or renting the game, not modifying the game files, and not creating derivative works based on the game.

Q: What happens if I violate the EULA?

A: If you violate the EULA, Valve may revoke your license. This means that you will lose access to the game and you will not be entitled to a refund.

Q: How can I protect my Steam account from being compromised?

A: You can protect your Steam account from being compromised by using a strong password and by enabling two-factor authentication. You should also be careful about clicking on links in emails or messages from people you do not know.

Conclusion

Steam games are licensed, not sold. This means that users do not own the games themselves, but rather have a license to use them. Licenses can be revoked by Valve for any reason, so it is important to comply with the EULA.

References

Steam User Agreement

Steam Account License

Steam Account License is a legal agreement between the user and Valve Corporation that governs the use of the Steam platform and related services. The license grants the user a non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited license to use the Steam software and services.

The license includes restrictions on the use of the Steam platform, such as:

The user may not create multiple accounts or impersonate other users.
The user may not sell, rent, or lease Steam accounts or licenses.
The user may not use Steam to distribute malware or other harmful software.

Valve Corporation reserves the right to modify or terminate the Steam Account License at any time. Users who violate the terms of the license may be subject to account suspension or termination.

Valve Corporation Game License

The Valve Corporation Game License (VCGL) is a free and open-source software license used by Valve Corporation for its games. It allows users to modify, distribute, and sell their own versions of the game, provided that they include the original copyright notice and license text. The VCGL is based on the GNU General Public License (GPL) but has been modified to better suit the needs of game development. It allows for the creation of commercial modifications and does not require the publication of source code under certain conditions.

Steam Software License Summary

The Steam Software License (SSL) governs the user’s rights and responsibilities when using Steam and its software products. Key points of the SSL include:

Limited License: Users are granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the software for non-commercial purposes only.
Ownership and Modification: Steam retains ownership of the software and user modifications are not allowed without express permission.
Distribution: Redistributing, selling, or renting the software is prohibited without Steam’s authorization.
User Generated Content: Users grant Steam a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, modify, and distribute user-generated content shared on Steam.
Updates and Modifications: Steam may update or modify the software at any time, and users are responsible for installing and applying these updates.
Termination: Steam may terminate the license at any time for a breach of its terms or other valid reasons.
Disclaimer of Warranties: Steam does not provide any warranties for the software, and users use it at their own risk.
Limitation of Liability: Steam is not liable for any damages resulting from the use of the software, except as required by law.
Governing Law: The SSL is governed by the laws of Washington State, USA.

Steam User License

The Steam User License is a legal agreement between you and Valve Corporation that governs your use of the Steam platform. By using Steam, you agree to be bound by the terms of the User License.

The User License grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the Steam platform and its services. You may not use Steam for any commercial purposes. You must be at least 13 years old to use Steam.

The User License also sets forth certain restrictions on your use of Steam. For example, you may not:

Create multiple accounts
Use Steam to cheat in games
Harass or abuse other users
Distribute malware or other harmful content

Valve may terminate your Steam account at any time if you violate the terms of the User License.

Steam License Agreement Summary

The Steam License Agreement (EULA) is a legal contract between Valve Corporation and the user of the Steam platform. The EULA outlines the terms and conditions of use for the Steam platform, including the use of games, software, and other content.

Key Points:

Non-transferability: Steam accounts and licenses cannot be transferred or resold without Valve’s prior written consent.
Ownership: Valve owns all intellectual property rights to the Steam platform and its content.
Limited Use: Users are granted a limited, non-exclusive license to use the Steam platform and its content for personal, non-commercial use.
Prohibitions: Users are prohibited from engaging in certain activities, such as hacking, modifying, or reverse engineering the Steam platform or its content.
Privacy: Valve collects and uses user data, including personal information and usage data, in accordance with its privacy policy.
Termination: Valve may terminate a user’s account for violation of the EULA or other policies.
Updates and Modifications: Valve may update or modify the Steam platform or its content at any time without notice.
Governing Law: The EULA is governed by the laws of the State of Washington, USA.

Valve Corporation License Agreement

The Valve Corporation License Agreement governs the use of Valve’s software, including Steam, games, and other applications. Key provisions include:

License Grant: Valve grants users a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the software for personal, non-commercial use.
Ownership: Valve retains all ownership rights to the software, including copyrights, trademarks, and source code.
Restrictions: Users are prohibited from modifying, reverse-engineering, or distributing the software without Valve’s written permission.
Disclaimer of Warranties: Valve disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
Limitation of Liability: Valve’s liability is limited to the amount paid by the user for the software.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction: The agreement is governed by the laws of Washington state and disputes shall be resolved in courts located in King County, Washington.

Steam Subscription License

A Steam Subscription License is a type of licensing agreement that grants subscribers access to a game or other software product for a specific period. Subscription licenses are typically purchased on a monthly or annual basis, and they offer a number of benefits over traditional, one-time purchase licenses.

Benefits of Subscription Licenses

No upfront cost: Subscription licenses do not require an upfront purchase price, which can make them more affordable for gamers on a budget.
Access to new content: Subscription licenses often include access to new content updates and expansion packs as they are released.
No DRM: Subscription licenses typically do not require digital rights management (DRM) software to be installed on your computer. This can allow for a more seamless and enjoyable gaming experience.

Disadvantages of Subscription Licenses

Ongoing cost: Subscription licenses require an ongoing monthly or annual payment. This can be more expensive than a one-time purchase license in the long run.
Limited access: Subscription licenses may only grant access to a specific version of a game or software product. This can limit your ability to play the game on different devices or with different mods.
Cancellation: Subscription licenses can be canceled at any time. This means that you may lose access to the game or software product if your subscription lapses.

Steam Content License

The Steam Content License (SCL) is a legal agreement between Valve Corporation and developers that publish games on the Steam platform. It outlines the terms and conditions under which developers can distribute their content on Steam, including rights and responsibilities, revenue sharing, and content restrictions.

Key Points:

Rights Grant: Valve grants developers a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to distribute their content on Steam.
Revenue Sharing: Developers receive 70% of the revenue generated from game sales, with Valve taking 30%.
Content Restrictions: Games must comply with Steam’s content guidelines, including prohibitions on violence, hate speech, and illegal activities.
Intellectual Property: Developers retain ownership of their intellectual property, but Valve has the right to use the content for promotional and marketing purposes.
Termination: Valve may terminate the license agreement for violations of the SCL or other reasons.

Benefits for Developers:

Access to a large and engaged audience of gamers.
Automatic distribution and updates.
Revenue generation through sales and microtransactions.
Marketing and promotional support from Valve.

Steam Family Sharing License

Steam Family Sharing allows users to share their game libraries with up to five other users who are in the same household. Games can be shared with family members and friends who have their own Steam accounts. The following are some key details and limitations of Steam Family Sharing:

Game Restrictions: Not all games are eligible for Family Sharing. Some games have restrictions imposed by the developers or publishers.
Shared Library: Users can access the shared library of games owned by the primary account holder.
Simultaneous Access: Only one user can play a shared game at a time. The primary account holder always has priority.
Save Files: Save files and achievements are tied to the account playing the game.
Time Restrictions: Family Sharing can only be used for up to 90 days out of every 180-day period for a single account.
Permissions: The primary account holder can manage permissions and revoke access to the shared library at any time.