Thanks to a tip in our Discord, we've found out today that Valve have been fined 147 thousand euros in France. Probably a drop in the ocean compared to Valve's revenue, but enough to turn their heads and pay attention.
For anyone visiting the Steam store in France, you will likely see this appear at the top of the store (thanks Syldat):
This translates (thanks Google) loosely to:
Pursuant to Article L. 522-1 of the French Consumer Code, the National Investigation Service of the DGCCRF decided to impose administrative penalties on the company VALVE CORPORATION totalling € 147,000. for breach of the following provisions of the Consumer Code: Articles L. 221-5 (conclusion of a contract for the supply of digital content without communication of prior information compliant), L. 221 -28 1 3 ° (absence of a collection of the express agreement of the consumer prior to the execution of the supply of the digital content and absence of collection of the express waiver to his right of retraction), L. 22 1 -18 (non-respect of the withdrawal period) and L. 221 - 1 3 (failure to deliver a compliant contract).
I'm certainly no expert on this, but it appears to be an issue with the refund policy on Steam. It's likely that Valve aren't stating the restrictions on refunds clearly enough when you actually make a purchase. Since they currently impose restrictions of you not owning it for more than two weeks or having played more than two hours. It is detailed quite clearly in Valve's actual terms and conditions though, which links directly links to this page.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Compared to most other companies, Valve is being the nicest.
lucifertdark Sep 18, 2018
Quoting: GuestAlways asked the retailer quoting applicable local consumer protection laws. You need to be a consumer (not a business) and you need OEM software to be a separate position on your laptop invoice. Retailer can't ask for the device back unless they sell the same hardware without OS as well. Retailers just send licenses from refunds back to their distributors.Quoting: cprnIt does, I opted out of Windows activation on every single laptop I ever bought for my family, 7 of them IIRC over last 2 years. It's anything between 70 to 100 USD (250 to 350 PLN) depending on Windows version.Wow, that’s great. Did you ask the laptop manufacturer for the refund? Which brand was it?
Last edited by cprn on 18 September 2018 at 10:01 pm UTC
Quoting: cprnIt's nice to live in country that have strong and ENFORCEABLE consumer protections. If in Malaysia, asking to opt out Windows at any PC shops will be answered by "Windows included in warranty, cannot remove." Even pre-build desktop PC built by PC shops also includes Windows in their warranty.Quoting: GuestAlways asked the retailer quoting applicable local consumer protection laws. You need to be a consumer (not a business) and you need OEM software to be a separate position on your laptop invoice. Retailer can't ask for the device back unless they sell the same hardware without OS as well. Retailers just send licenses from refunds back to their distributors.Quoting: cprnIt does, I opted out of Windows activation on every single laptop I ever bought for my family, 7 of them IIRC over last 2 years. It's anything between 70 to 100 USD (250 to 350 PLN) depending on Windows version.Wow, that’s great. Did you ask the laptop manufacturer for the refund? Which brand was it?
It's hard to opt out Windows here, unless if you're bought a 2nd hand Desktop/Laptop PC (as most Windows installed on used PC are pirated :P).
Mountain Man Sep 19, 2018
Quoting: tonRQuoting: cprnIt's nice to live in country that have strong and ENFORCEABLE consumer protections. If in Malaysia, asking to opt out Windows at any PC shops will be answered by "Windows included in warranty, cannot remove." Even pre-build desktop PC built by PC shops also includes Windows in their warranty.Quoting: GuestAlways asked the retailer quoting applicable local consumer protection laws. You need to be a consumer (not a business) and you need OEM software to be a separate position on your laptop invoice. Retailer can't ask for the device back unless they sell the same hardware without OS as well. Retailers just send licenses from refunds back to their distributors.Quoting: cprnIt does, I opted out of Windows activation on every single laptop I ever bought for my family, 7 of them IIRC over last 2 years. It's anything between 70 to 100 USD (250 to 350 PLN) depending on Windows version.Wow, that’s great. Did you ask the laptop manufacturer for the refund? Which brand was it?
It's hard to opt out Windows here, unless if you're bought a 2nd hand Desktop/Laptop PC (as most Windows installed on used PC are pirated :P).
Don't Lenovo and Dell sell their laptops without Windows there? Articles don't seem to change if I switch the region to Malaysia:
https://www.lenovo.com/my/en/faqs/pc-life-faqs/what-is-Linux/
https://www.dell.com/learn/my/en/mydhs1/campaigns/dell-ubuntu-my
Quoting: cprnDon't Lenovo and Dell sell their laptops without Windows there? Articles don't seem to change if I switch the region to Malaysia:Yes, AFAIK only HP and Dell selling Linux PCs (mostly Ubuntu, some Dells comes with SUSE), but only on selected dealers/retailers, not available their online store. Not sure about Lenovo.
https://www.lenovo.com/my/en/faqs/pc-life-faqs/what-is-Linux/
https://www.dell.com/learn/my/en/mydhs1/campaigns/dell-ubuntu-my
Also, before Windows 10 launched, some PC models may comes with FreeDOS or no-OS at all. But, after Windows 10, most new PCs comes with pre-bundled Windows 10 or Chrome OS. Only a few such as Acer, Lenovo and Asus still offers no-OS PCs, but again only sell on selected dealers/retailers, not available their online store.
Few years ago, I'd asked the seller why this happens. The reason is MS sells Windows 10 to retailers insanely low price, much cheaper than cracking Windows. So pirating Windows no longer necessary.
That's why I'm loathe Win 10 and afraid MS may locking down S-Mode and MS store mandatory (aka walled garden).
p/s: Here are some popular brands' online store links.
Dell
Lenovo
HP
Acer
Asus
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me