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Valve Removes Right For Class Action Claims From EULA

Posted by Soulskill on from the let's-all-sue-them-for-this dept.

trawg writes "Valve has joined the list of companies that have altered their terms and conditions to prevent users from filing a class action suit. Their official statement says that such claims 'impose unnecessary expense and delay' and are 'designed to benefit the class action lawyers.' In its stead, they've added a new arbitration process, in which Valve will reimburse costs (under certain circumstances) when dispute resolution can't be solved through their normal support process."

4 of 270 comments (clear)

  1. I deeply dislike the end-run aroudn the courts by Nursie · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It just seems wrong that a product EULA can make you forfeit your rights like this.

    But at the same time they are absolutely correct, class action seldom really benefits anyone but the law firms.

    1. Re:I deeply dislike the end-run aroudn the courts by morcego · · Score: 5, Insightful

      For Valve's defense, their reasoning for this is more than valid. Valve has always been a good company and continues to be so.

      The fact they are forcing arbitration pretty much destroys your argument.

      Arbitration, as a choice, is a wonderful thing. Making it mandatory is spitting in the face of customers and their rights.

      --
      morcego
    2. Re:I deeply dislike the end-run aroudn the courts by cheekyjohnson · · Score: 5, Insightful

      How is this better than class action lawsuits, which from my experience has the lawyers sue a company I do/did business with, end up with a settlement where the lawyers get $10 per person and I get $1 for the company's supposed screwing me illegaly for $10?

      Class action lawsuits are clearly not so you can make a lot of money. I'd say they're more for teaching the company a lesson. And frankly, I would find it absolutely idiotic if a mere EULA was able to take that right away.

      --
      Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
  2. -1 Evil by gman003 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yeah, normally I'm a big Valve fan, but I've gotta admit, I can't defend this one. I mean, they're right about "class actions only make money for the lawyers", but still...

    I may not start boycotting you now, Valve, but you just lost a few points of rep with *this* faction.