UPDATE 1-EU charges 6 video game companies with unfair "geo-blocking"
The Commission, which oversees competition policy in the 28 EU countries, said that the companies were Valve Corp, the owner of the world's largest video game distribution platform 'Steam', and five game makers - Bandai Namco, Capcom, Focus Home, Koch Media and ZeniMax. "In a true digital single market, European consumers should have the right to buy and play video games of their choice regardless of where they live in the EU," European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said.
The Commission has sent what it calls a "statement of objections" to the companies, allowing them to reply and request hearings to present their arguments. Companies found guilty of anti-competitive behaviour can be fined up to 10 percent of their annual global turnover.
The Commission said it was concerned that Valve and the five game publishers agreed to prevent cross-border sales by geo-blocking the 'activation keys' that enable consumers to be able to play games. This may have prevented consumers from buying cheaper games available in other EU countries.
EU antitrust regulators opened its investigation in February 2017, at the same time also looking into online sales of electronics and hotel rooms. EU rules prohibit geographically based restrictions that undermine online shopping and cross-border sales. Last month, it fined Nike for blocking cross-border sales of soccer merchandise. (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop, editing by Louise Heavens)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- READ MORE ON:
- Consumers Energy
- Consumers Credit Union
- European Commission
- For sale by owner
- Owner builder
- Owner's manual
- Finance Commission
- Companies Act
- Companies House
- Aamra Companies
- Nordic countries
- consumers
- game publishers
- owner
- Commission
- Valve
- Companies
- Margrethe Vestager
- antitrust regulators
- countries
ALSO READ
Escalating Israel-Iran tensions: India asks its citizens not to travel to both countries
Additional 10 companies of central forces to be deployed in Arunachal
UK foreign office adds Pakistan to its list of countries "too dangerous to travel"
12 companies of Himachal Police deployed in other states for poll duty
UAE: 190 guests from 25 countries set to enrich young minds at SCRF