Valve Corporation’s Steam Subscriber Agreement, a foundational document governing access to the widely used digital distribution platform, remains largely unchanged as of March 11, 2026, according to publicly available documentation. The agreement, first established in 2003, continues to define the legal relationship between Valve and its users, outlining rights and obligations for both parties.
The agreement, accessible via Valve’s website and Steam itself, details the terms under which users can access and utilize the Steam service. It specifies that Steam is offered by Valve Corporation, a Washington-state based entity with a registered office in Bellevue. The agreement explicitly states that users must be at least 13 years of age to register for an account, and may be subject to additional age restrictions depending on their country of residence. Valve does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
A key component of the Subscriber Agreement concerns licensing. Valve grants users a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to download materials available on the site for personal use, limited to one computer per copy. This license is contingent upon payment of applicable fees. The agreement also addresses billing, payment, and subscriptions, though specific details regarding pricing and payment methods are not contained within the core agreement itself.
The document dedicates significant attention to user conduct, explicitly prohibiting cheating and illegal behavior. It also outlines provisions related to third-party content and user-generated content, though the specifics of these provisions are not detailed in the publicly available summaries.
Valve’s legal framework includes disclaimers and limitations of liability. The company’s Site Terms of Use, separate from the Subscriber Agreement but linked from the Steam platform, state that the site and all materials are provided “as is,” with no warranties expressed or implied. Valve disclaims responsibility for interruptions in service, errors, defects, or harmful components. The Terms of Use further limit Valve’s liability for any damages arising from the use of the site.
Section 11 of the full Steam Subscriber Agreement contains a binding arbitration agreement and a class action waiver. However, this section does not apply to consumers residing in the Province of Quebec (Canada), the European Union, or the United Kingdom. The agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Washington.
As of today, Valve has not publicly announced any major revisions to the Steam Subscriber Agreement. The company’s legal documentation remains accessible on its website, alongside privacy policies, accessibility information, and refund policies. Valve Corporation’s registered VAT ID number is EU 8260 00671.
