A German court has dismissed The Federation of German Consumer Organizations (VZVB) lawsuit which would allow Steam users to sell/trade their accounts along with the games. VZVB announced it planned to take Valve to court last years and argued that purchases on Valve’s platform legally constituted activity under first-sale doctrine (limits copyright holders’ claims). Essentially, anyone could sell their used games to other Steam users – which currently goes against the Steam Subscribed agreement:
“…may 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).”
The Regional Court of Berlin has yet to explain why it threw out the lawsuit, yet the VZVB may actually be permitted to appeal the decision. We will have to wait and see if any further action is (or can be) taken.