Steam's updated subscriber agreement now allows European users of the service to avail of a 14 day no questions asked refund for transactions made through the client.
Valve is offering Steam refunds in Europe as the result of new EU legislation which came into effect in June of last year.
The agreement now reads:
"If you are an EU subscriber, you have the right to withdraw from a purchase transaction for digital content without charge and without giving any reason for a duration of fourteen days or until Valve's performance of its obligations has begun with your prior express consent and your acknowledgment that you thereby lose your right of withdrawal, whichever happens sooner. Therefore, you will be informed during the checkout process when our performance starts and asked to provide your prior express consent to the purchase being final."
When buying a game in Europe, you'll now see this message:
"By clicking "Purchase" you agree that Valve provides you immediate access to digital content as soon as you complete your purchase, without waiting the 14-day withdrawal period. Therefore, you expressly waive your right to withdraw from this purchase."
It's notable that Valve seems to be asking EU consumers to waive their rights by issuing consent and that by doing so refunds can only be claimed until you start downloading the game or content in question. How such clauses hold up legally will surely be a matter brought before Europe's courts at some point.
