California GameStops will now be required to include warning labels on used copies of games featuring paid Day-1 DLC and/or Online Passes. A class action lawsuit brought against the retail chain by law firm Baron and Budd claimed GameStop mislead customers with their discounted merchandise, a move which enabled them to profit in the vein “of more than $2 billion a year on used video games sales without paying any royalties to video game publishers or developers.”
The settlement demands both GameStop’s physical and online locations across California warn customers of any extra DLC cost on their used merchandise for the next two years. In addition, some restitution may be available to customers that purchased games expecting to get the DLC at no extra cost. Customers with records of their purchases may be entitled to a $5 check or $10 in-store coupon, with $10 checks and $15 in-store coupons available to members of GameStop’s “PowerUp Rewards” loyalty program. Those that believe themselves eligible for said vouchers may inquire at the law firm’s Facebook settlement page for details.
“We are pleased that as a result of this lawsuit, we were able to obtain complete restitution for consumers, with actual money paid out to people who were harmed by GameStop’s conduct,” saidMark Pifko, Baron and Budd attorney and counsel in the lawsuit. “The in-store and online warnings are an important benefit under the settlement as well, because if GameStop discloses the truth to consumers, it is unlikely that they will be able to continue selling used copies of certain games for only $5 less than the price of a new copy. In fact, we already know that not long after the lawsuit was filed, GameStop lowered prices for used copies of many of the game titles identified in the lawsuit.”
(via BusinessWire)
This should be mandated across all store in every state. Customers should know when they have to buy an online pass, and GameStop should not be charging so much for a used game that requires a pass (this will help out those who do not know much about the games industry).
People should not have to spend more money on a used version than a perfectly new one.