UK music rights group PRS takes Valve to court over unlicensed music on Steam

The UK’s Performing Right Society (PRS for Music) says it’s started legal proceedings against Valve, claiming Steam has been making games available that use PRS members’ music “without permission.”

In a press statement, PRS argues that Valve has “never obtained a licence” for the rights it manages on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The group says Steam hosts “many game titles” that include PRS members’ works, and it name-checks franchises like Forza Horizon, FIFA/EA FC, and Grand Theft Auto as examples.

PRS says it’s been trying to work with Valve on licensing “for many years” but didn’t get what it calls appropriate engagement. Now it’s moving forward under Section 20 of the UK’s Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, and says games using PRS-managed music would need a licence.

According to PRS, the case will keep moving unless Valve “engages positively” in discussions and takes a licence that covers past use as well as future releases.

This is also the second major legal action aimed at Valve in recent days. Last week, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit alleging loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2, Team Fortress 2, and Dota 2 unlawfully encourage minors to gamble.