| Page 1 of 2 |
|
|
 Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 08:39 Post subject: Half-Life 2 and Valve might get their asses sued worldwide |
|
 |
Here's an interesting article i found. Thanks to Forcefire for submitting it.
If you were one of the thousands of gamers worldwide who had a nightmare trying to get Half-Life 2 installed on your PC, or if you're still struggling to connect to Steam every time you fancy a bit of Gordon time, you've probably aimed a few choice curse words at Valve.
But we bet you never thought that the developer could possibly be violating your rights as a consumer. Well, possibly. In an extremely interesting round up of the legal minefield that surrounds some Half-Life 2 issues, technology website The Inquirer attempts to cut through the red tape and offer the disgruntled HL2 gamer some advice.
It seems there are three common issues causing problems. The first is a failure by Valve to mention that installing Steam to validate and run Half-Life 2 is essential. The UK packaging we had listed an internet connection as a prerequisite but neglected to explain why. This seems to be the case across Europe. Some gamers also report that the offline mode does not work for them, effectively rendering their copy of the game useless.
The second is slightly more annoying for new HL2 owners - some have reported that their CD Key has been hacked before they have even purchased their copy, locking them out of the game and forcing them to wait on Valve to give them a new key. This has reportedly taken up to two weeks in some cases.
Then there's the issue of not being able to give or sell your copy of the game to another gamer, without having to pay Valve a fee to fully transfer your CD Key to a new owner.
It seems action is being taken against Valve by certain organisations. Apparently, the German Consumer Association has already ruled that the lack of any mention of Steam on the game's packaging is a violation of consumer rights.
We couldn't delve into the murky depths of legal issues surrounding Half-Life 2 any better than The Inquirer, so if you've found yourself on the wrong end of any of these problems you should head here to get their take on the story.
Complete Story http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=21105
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 09:01 Post subject: |
|
|
Kommando posting an anti-valve thread! I NEVER WOULD HAVE GUESSED!!!
Haha.
Im a cockfag
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 09:12 Post subject: |
|
|
yeah..saw this on gameguru...funny reading...specially the idea that if sell my legit hl2 to some1 I/or the buyer have to pay 10$ for moving the cd-key... 1 more reason NOT to buy anything any more that has Valve on the label...
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 10:20 Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 11:13 Post subject: |
|
|
everyone who sues valve for this should be killed.
when you look in the manual of a car there's nothing about it that you could kill you own daughter when you're too drunk to drive. But it could happen. Can I sue Mercedes or BMW for this?
I hate it when people are looking for leaks to get more money.
Imagine every gamer on this world would sue Valve/Vivendi.
Then, oh my god, no Halflife 3....
think about it.
FakeBitchKillah.inc:
iam really looking forward to the time that the games look REAL cause u dont have update your pc than.................. cause it cant look more real than real !
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 11:37 Post subject: |
|
|
| enzi666 wrote: | everyone who sues valve for this should be killed.
when you look in the manual of a car there's nothing about it that you could kill you own daughter when you're too drunk to drive. But it could happen. Can I sue Mercedes or BMW for this?
I hate it when people are looking for leaks to get more money.
Imagine every gamer on this world would sue Valve/Vivendi.
Then, oh my god, no Halflife 3....
think about it. |
???
I can't see your point here - driving a car - killing your daughter => sue manufacture!? omfg...we are talking about GAME here... (what if I had a pc on my car - I play hl2 while driving and I kill some1 - who to sue? the 1 I killed? :rolleyes: )
And back to this thread:
Sorry to say but it's Valve that is looking for more money here - not the gamers.
And what if every gamer would sue Valve - no HL3 (from Valve/Vivendi)?
=> not such a bad thing IF some other company would make it without steam.... And I really don't care as I wont buy hl3 if the terms are same than with hl2...
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sTo0z
[Moderator] Babysitter
Posts: 7449
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 11:53 Post subject: |
|
|
| enzi666 wrote: | everyone who sues valve for this should be killed.
when you look in the manual of a car there's nothing about it that you could kill you own daughter when you're too drunk to drive. But it could happen. Can I sue Mercedes or BMW for this?
I hate it when people are looking for leaks to get more money.
Imagine every gamer on this world would sue Valve/Vivendi.
Then, oh my god, no Halflife 3....
think about it. |
I agree, I don't see why people can't just leave them the hell alone. Now this will distract them even further from progressing their game and stabilizing their technology. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 12:33 Post subject: |
|
|
if everyone shuts up and takes their company abuse, we are gona be getting more games like this, and thats a big nononononononononoonononono+nononononono
Turn Down That Awful Music!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 12:34 Post subject: |
|
|
Wow a developer actually took a risk and tried something different. Lets be bitches and sue their asses so that the games industry never progresses commercially!
Idiots like this are the only thing holding humanity back with regards to major advancements because they're too afraid of change, and maybe encountering a little difficulty with that change.
| KrayZJool wrote: | | if everyone shuts up and takes their company abuse, we are gona be getting more games like this, and thats a big nononononononononoonononono+nononononono |
OH NOES! We might get more fantastic games!
Thats a big nono!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 15:48 Post subject: |
|
|
Well if you can't even figure out how to run steam in offline mode, i'm not suprised you didn't like HL2.
Were the physics puzzles too taxing on your little brain?
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ize
Posts: 102
Location: Refridgerator
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 15:54 Post subject: |
|
|
Well you're trying anyway.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
_SiN_
Megatron
Posts: 12108
Location: Cybertron
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 16:57 Post subject: |
|
|
I don´t think evereyone should go off and sue just cause get one small reason to. But the fact that Valve didn´t (ignored?) to inform that it is essential to activate via Steam, that´s just lame. It just pisses people off, and maybe it´s then when things like this appear...
Watercooled 5950X | AORUS Master X570 | Asus RTX 3090 TUF Gaming OC | 64Gb RAM | 1Tb 970 Evo Plus + 2Tb 660p | etc etc
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 17:23 Post subject: |
|
|
| _SiN_ wrote: | | I don´t think evereyone should go off and sue just cause get one small reason to. |
Thats not the point.
What Valve was doing witzh HL2 was NOT custommmer-friendly. No game has ever caused so much trouble. Steam down, CD-key locked, 10$ for a replacement CD-Key although you didn't do anything wrong ?!?!
THis isn't customer-friendly and evenviolates consumer rights.
Face it: valve is fucking its customers in the ass.
If we (the custommers) do something against it now, then the next Valve game will not have this stem shit and all the problems it causes.
If we accept it now, when the next Valve game comes out we'll again be asked to bend over.
Some people might enjoy this. I sure don't.
This is why they are being sued. It's not to get money back. It won't change a thing about HL2. That's too late, but it will make sure that we won't get fucked again next time.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 17:32 Post subject: |
|
|
So what about multiplayer only games? You need a cd-key for them and if the servers are down you can't play.
Why are you not complaining about them?
Just stop your whining. I for one am glad that a developer had the guts to try a new method of product delivery.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 17:52 Post subject: |
|
|
| AnimalMother wrote: | So what about multiplayer only games? You need a cd-key for them and if the servers are down you can't play.
Why are you not complaining about them?
|
Yes, but they don't randomly lock CD-keys and they certainly don't charge 10$ for a new key after they locked your legaly bough CD-key although you didn't do anything wrong.
Moste MP-games do not rely on 1 speciffic server. If 1 server is down you simply connect to another.
Only few types games (usually MMORPG) rely on 1 speciffic server. In thois case it is a technical necessety to connect to it, not an unnecessary anoyance created purposely by the developers.
Can't you see the difference?
That's as if you'd suddenly have to show your passport when you cross the street, and if you complay they answer: 'You always needet it to leave the country, and you've accepted that so way are you complaing now when you need it to cross the street?'
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 19:31 Post subject: |
|
|
This is pretty gay:
"Then there's the issue of not being able to give or sell your copy of the game to another gamer, without having to pay Valve a fee to fully transfer your CD Key to a new owner."
and with "pretty gay" I mean "totaly fucking retarded gay".
Vresar ho ente ôpp fetta får de va fö en annan. Hä sa va fetta för att ja sa ronka.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 20:04 Post subject: |
|
|
Good initiative.
Steam is only to make money people not to be a consumer friendly or new way of distributing games. Its not wrong to make money but doing that with false information and fucking honest consumers in the narrow hole is not very nice.
Its a program who wants to make sure every single dollar of the HL2 franchise / - and associated products - profit ends up in Valve's account and if things go wrong the consumer faces the negative side effects. (Costs for new key / costs to pay the third party to sell your legally bought product)
There is something legally very wrong. The basics of contract law is that you pay for a product (Half-Life 2) and in return you get full ownership of the bought product, - except for the copyright rights which stay with Valve. (those rights are to defend Valve's right as author of the product, and the brand name so noone else will reproduce Half-Life 2 and name it Half-Live 2 or something)
Anyway by buying half-life 2 you get ownership of - 1. Half-life 2 Game produced by Valve protected by copyright laws. Ownership of the game gives YOU as customer some rights like, FREE to sell it to anyone without a third party intervening (YES VALVE, you sold your ownership of that 1. Half - Life 2 Game to a customer) or an own backup copy for example and secondly you have some consumer laws present who protect the customer against unlawful and unrightfull behaviour of the producer of the game, like extra costs when the product doesnt do what its expected to do and the customer has all requirements present which are on the back of the box.
So to make a long story short. Valve has the copyright rights to half-life - and all brands - but you have the right as owner of the original game you bought to do with it as you please as long as you dont break copyright of the product.
So yes, i think this will hurt Valve in Europe.
And to the mercedes / bmw thing. If you drive drunk and youve killed your own daughter but the fact you crashed the car was not your fault (technical error with the car), then you can sue mercedes BMW for a faulty product. Which is the CASE with valve here.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cheez-It
Posts: 1106
Location: Rochester, NY
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 20:22 Post subject: |
|
|
| Darkl0rd wrote: |
No game has ever caused so much trouble. Steam down, CD-key locked, 10$ for a replacement CD-Key although you didn't do anything wrong ?!?!
THis isn't customer-friendly and evenviolates consumer rights.
|
1.) Sentence one is complete bullshit. I've broughten games that come up with black screens or BSOD/restart my computer. I'd call a game you can't play A LOT more trouble than slight inconveniences.
Steam down: bullshit. this is just assholes who don't use it trying to think of something negative to say about steam. I've been playing CS since it's inception, took a break, and started playing about a year ago... Since then (1 year) I have not has a SINGLE problem connecting to steam. Not ONCE. This is impressive since I've been known to play the game quite, quite often.
CD-Key locked? what the hell does that mean. All games use CD keys now.
10$ for replacement if you did nothing wrong: I bet if you call up valve, tell them you just purchased the game and that it said the CD Key was taken, they would help you out. How many people do you know, not that you've heard of, but that you personally know, have had this happen? I've never heard about it except from u people bitching all the time.
morons.
woozap: you can't resell a lot of things, don't buy the fuckin game if all your thoughts on the developer rest on their allowing you to resell the game. idiots!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 20:33 Post subject: |
|
|
You are a very stupid person. I thought you Yanks are so proud of your freedom and independence and yet you give a developer the right to deny your rights as owner.
we are not on the same level of communication moron, now go plow the fields. And finish elementary school first then come back.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 20:53 Post subject: |
|
|
| woozap wrote: |
Its a program who wants to make sure every single dollar of the HL2 franchise / - and associated products - profit ends up in Valve's account. |
Whats wrong about that? As I see it, they made an excellent game and deserve to reap the reward.
If you're such an honest consumer what the hell are you doing on this site? You're just a hypocrite, so shut the hell up.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 20:59 Post subject: |
|
|
| Cheez-It wrote: |
CD-Key locked? what the hell does that mean. All games use CD keys now.
10$ for replacement if you did nothing wrong: I bet if you call up valve, tell them you just purchased the game and that it said the CD Key was taken, they would help you out. How many people do you know, not that you've heard of, but that you personally know, have had this happen? I've never heard about it except from u people bitching all the time.
|
By cdkey locked he means Duplicate cd keys been released with games.
To get a replacement Key for free it has to be reported in the 90 days after the purchase. But this problem occure with old version of HL1 and CS retail since Sierra released duplicate keys at the time so the FREE thing is just a smoke screen to cover their asses. 4 of my friends got this problem with CS retail key that has been bought more then a year ago so they are screwed.
Here's what STEAM say on that issue:
Replacement is FREE for the first 90 days of product ownership. After 90 days there is a $10.00 handling fee per program for replacement. You must send in your CD at the time of order. For the fastest service, mail the CD along with either a copy of your sales receipt dated within 90 days OR the $10.00 handling fee and a note stating the reason you seek replacement. In that note, VU Games also requests that you include your name, address, and daytime telephone number so that VU Games' Customer Service Representatives may contact you should the need arise. They will then send you the new CD with a new key. The address is:
Vivendi Universal Interactive
Attn Replacements
4247 S. Minnewawa Avenue
Fresno, CA 93725
USA
The disk replacement process will take approximately 3-4 weeks for delivery.
As i said before, Sierra made the mistake and the honnest cutomers have to pay for Sierra mistake. Sierra and Valve know every key who has been duplicate so thats even worst to make you pay when they can look at their database to see if your key is really duplicate or you are trying to scam them another key.
More info here:
clickme
//edited by toeffy:I made the link small so it doesn't make the whole thread unreadable
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 21:11 Post subject: |
|
|
AnimalMother: wtf are you talking about? i am not denying the fact that Half-life 2 is a good game and that valve is not allowed to reap the rewords. I only say the way they sell it to the customers is wrong and unlawful. There are other ways of protecting your games + making profit and give all customers a good treat. (starforce 3 anyone?)
The fact they want to use steam is to MAXIMIZE their profits and thats which everyone does in an sale/selling economy nothing wrong with that...but they should also acknowledge the law which protect weaker groups like customers. so read before bitching. thank you.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cheez-It
Posts: 1106
Location: Rochester, NY
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 21:15 Post subject: |
|
|
Question. Does Valve package the product? I think not. Wouldn't that be the people over at Vivendi, who Valve are trying to break away from by using Steam to remove them from the picture? Thus shouldn't you be directing this at vivendi, and not Valve or Steam?
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cheez-It
Posts: 1106
Location: Rochester, NY
|
| Posted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 21:16 Post subject: |
|
|
| Kommando wrote: |
[b]Replacement is FREE for the first 90 days of product ownership. After 90 days there is a $10.00 handling fee per program for replacement. |
So it's free. How hard is that? Seems quite simple to me.
People were saying it was 10$. Unless they buy the game, wait 90 days, THEN realize the key's being used.
But in that case they're retarded.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| Page 1 of 2 |
All times are GMT + 1 Hour |
cant argue against this for being a total scam from those fuckers.
Just needed to get this out of my system! Heehee
