The issue with these digital libraries is as the end users, when we buy a game or a piece of software digitally, what we're actually buying is the license to use that content. You'll find very similar wording in the terms and conditions you've accepted for the PlayStation Network or Xbox Live, or even outside of games with iTunes or the Amazon Kindle Store. This arrangement isn't unique to Valve and Steam. But for Steam, I'm not aware of anyone who's picked up an account of somebody who's died and just carried it on.' 'I know Facebook allow, for instance, people to log in and set up an 'in memoriam' account and to take over the running of that under different licensing rules. Then they also do say that they'll consider things on a case-by-case basis, so if somebody dies, they will consider proof of death and whether there'd be a legitimate interest in saying you could transfer it. 'Which is the default position for pretty much everyone who licenses software. 'Steam's position is that you can't pass it on,' explained Alex Tutty, a partner at Sheridans Law Firm. Earlier this week I spoke to a lawyer who specialises in the video game industry to confirm that this is, in fact, the case. Even if you were to write it into your will that you wanted this to happen, without that permission, it wouldn't hold up upon your death. In the simplest terms, this means that without express permission from Valve you can't just give your Steam account to another person. You may therefore not sell or charge others for the right to use your Account, or otherwise transfer your Account, nor may you sell, charge others for the right to use, or transfer any Subscriptions other than if and as expressly permitted by this Agreement (including any Subscription Terms or Rules of Use) or as otherwise specifically permitted by Valve.' 'Your Account, including any information pertaining to it (e.g.: contact information, billing information, Account history and Subscriptions, etc.), is strictly personal. If you take a look at Section C of the Steam Subscriber Agreement, you'll see it includes the following paragraph: As of right now, you can't simply leave your account to a close friend or a loved one. How much have you spent on your Steam account, do you reckon? Even if it's a rough estimate, try and come up with a figure it'll be a useful one to have in the back of your mind as we delve into today's episode of Here's a Thing because I imagine, if you've purchased multiple titles over multiple years, that number likely isn't a small one.Īnd yet despite this monetary value and any sentimental worth your Steam library may hold, when you die - as per the agreement you currently have with Valve Corporation - that account for all intent and purpose dies with you as well.

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