As per the SSA, Steam accounts are non-transferable. You don't own any of the games, you are only purchasing a non-recurring subscription/limited license (what ever they want to call it) to play the game.

Thank you for the prompt reply. That is both good and bad I guess, given it therefore has no value to worry about.

Technically speaking you can pass on your account to someone else much as you would a bank account. Though that would not be so much a transfer of ownership but Stewardship.

Originally posted by Start_Running:

Technically speaking you can pass on your account to someone else much as you would a bank account. Though that would not be so much a transfer of ownership but Stewardship.

No, those are two diffrent things, even from a technical standpoint.

You can't compare a Steam account, where you don't own the games, to a bank account where the money is yours to do with as you want, and the bank just holds onto it for you.

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

Originally posted by Start_Running:

Technically speaking you can pass on your account to someone else much as you would a bank account. Though that would not be so much a transfer of ownership but Stewardship.

No, those are two diffrent things, even from a technical standpoint.

You can't compare a Steam account, where you don't own the games, to a bank account where the money is yours to do with as you want, and the bank just holds onto it for you.

Yeah I realize that but the idea of stewardship uis bang onIn which case you have essentially declared the suvivor you bequeth to to act as your agent . Nothing in the SSA prevents that. You are not transfering ownership, you are transfering administrative power..


The catch 22 is that since you are dead you are exmpt from legal repercussions they may take but since you are dead steam is under no legal obligation to continue service. should they screw up in some way..

I'm quite sure steam does allow some form of transfer in such cases but you would have to speak directly with them. Ideally, you, the party you wish to inherit and steam need to have that discussion before you kick the bucket,

Originally posted by Pandæmonium:

Can my kin claim ownership?

Who has proof of purchase can claim ownership.

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

As per the SSA, Steam accounts are non-transferable.

A dead person can not break an ssa.
Dont share and dont transfer. Thats what the ssa says.
Doesnt sound much as if it was about being dead.

Originally posted by Muppet among Puppets:

Originally posted by Pandæmonium:

Can my kin claim ownership?

Who has proof of purchase can claim ownership.

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

As per the SSA, Steam accounts are non-transferable.

A dead person can not break an ssa.
Dont share and dont transfer. Thats what the ssa says.
Doesnt sound much as if it was about being dead.

Actually a dead person cannot break it but technically Death terminates the contract which means at that point Steam can essentially lock the account down permanently once they learn of the death of the original contractee.


Furthermore, failing to inform of such informaton is in breach o contract law in most countries and there are applicable fines and penalties for misrepresenting or falsely representing another party in a contract.

Hence while you can never pass ownership. Steward ship can be passed, or simply speak with th people at Valve beforehand.

Originally posted by Muppet among Puppets:

Hence while you can never pass ownership. Steward ship can be passed, or simply speak with th people at Valve beforehand.

No, it can not as you are also not allowed to give out your name and password for someone else to use the account. Steward ship does not apply here since you don't own the account, Valve does. A Steward can't manage something that belongs to someone else.

Originally posted by Muppet among Puppets:

A dead person can not break an ssa.
Dont share and dont transfer. Thats what the ssa says.
Doesnt sound much as if it was about being dead.

A living person can. Transfering would require someone to take ownership of the account, so that person would be violating the SSA.

Where does it say that a licence is bound to your existence?

If the steam account is willed to you you can change ownership. Steam support/VALVe have mentioned several times in the past they wouldn't block this change of ownership.

Originally posted by eram:

If the steam account is willed to you you can change ownership. Steam support/VALVe have mentioned several times in the past they wouldn't block this change of ownership.

FIgured they wouldn't provided that in so doing the new owner knows they are inheriting the contracts and legal obligations of the previous party.

Originally posted by Muppet among Puppets:

Where does it say that a licence is bound to your existence?

well you have these in the SSA:

When you complete Steam’s registration process, you create a Steam account ("Account"). Your Account may also include billing information you provide to Valve for the purchase of Subscriptions. You may not reveal, share or otherwise allow others to use your password or Account except as otherwise specifically authorized by Valve. Any use of your Account with your login and/or password is deemed made by you and you are responsible for it and for the security of your computer system. Valve is not responsible for the use of your password and Account or for all of the communication and activity on Steam that results from use of your login name and password. You 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) or as otherwise specifically permitted by Valve.

Black Blade you know, no one actually reads that much text.

Originally posted by Black Blade:

Originally posted by Muppet among Puppets:

Where does it say that a licence is bound to your existence?

well you have these in the SSA:

You may not reveal, share or otherwise allow others to use your password or Account except as otherwise specifically authorized by Valve.

Thats about keeping their business and the structure running.
Its not about pockets of passed people.

Originally posted by Muppet among Puppets:

Originally posted by Black Blade:

well you have these in the SSA:

Thats about keeping their business and the structure running.
Its not about pockets of passed people.

That's also basic contract law. You can't transfer a contract to a third party without proper due notification and consent of the other parties.