5 ms·

IANAL, but I would imagine no or not to any hugely extensive degree. You charge in USD and require US billing addresses that would most likely be enough to say

IANAL, but I would imagine no or not to any hugely extensive degree. You charge in USD and require US billing addresses that would most likely be enough to say you operated in US only. If customers go out of their way to defeat that, then its really not on you. The difference here is that Valve didn't do this. The operated in Australia (as other countries too) and sold under AUD. The pricing structure is vastly different between US and other countries (much more expensive in AUD for example, even when counting for conversion). So the argument that they aren't operating or selling goods in AUD falls completely flat for me. They accepted AUD and AU billing addresses and Sold at market rates in AU. They actively opted in to the Australian Market at that stage and should be bound by consumer laws. Australian customers didn't go out of their way to make their purchases happen. Ultimately I don't think as an online retailer you should be compelled to comply with all laws for where you customers are coming from, but if you actively join a market, you should.

hug 10y ago
Just a correction: Valve do not sell in AUD in the Australian Steam store. They sell only in USD. They do, however, comply with Australian law with regards to ratings & releases, and they do have price discrimination - Items in the Australian Steam store are much higher priced than items in the US steam store, despite being sold in USD. Items are released to Australia at different times to the US, European, and Asian releases, and the selection of games in the store is (sometimes) different for Australia as compared to other countries. In other words: Valve acts exactly like a company that has a discrete Australian store, but charges in USD to 'hide' that fact and attempt to evade their responsibilities under the Australian Fair Trade act.
- WillPostForFood 10y ago
  Does Valve set the prices, release times, etc.. or is it the publisher using Steam to sell their products?
  - Strom 10y ago
    It's the publisher.
  - SXX 10y ago
    Valve might give some advice on regional pricing or enforce some limitations (so you can't sell unreasonable cheap or expensive), but decision is always up to publisher. Anyone who state otherwise are lying.
- aplummer 10y ago
  The also IP block content just for Australia, for example left for dead 2

hug 10y ago

Just a correction: Valve do not sell in AUD in the Australian Steam store. They sell only in USD. They do, however, comply with Australian law with regards to ratings & releases, and they do have price discrimination - Items in the Australian Steam store are much higher priced than items in the US steam store, despite being sold in USD. Items are released to Australia at different times to the US, European, and Asian releases, and the selection of games in the store is (sometimes) different for Australia as compared to other countries. In other words: Valve acts exactly like a company that has a discrete Australian store, but charges in USD to 'hide' that fact and attempt to evade their responsibilities under the Australian Fair Trade act.

WillPostForFood 10y ago
Does Valve set the prices, release times, etc.. or is it the publisher using Steam to sell their products?
- Strom 10y ago
  It's the publisher.
- SXX 10y ago
  Valve might give some advice on regional pricing or enforce some limitations (so you can't sell unreasonable cheap or expensive), but decision is always up to publisher. Anyone who state otherwise are lying.
aplummer 10y ago
The also IP block content just for Australia, for example left for dead 2