Steam has added a new clause to its Subscriber Agreement that acknowledges New Zealand users may be entitled to refunds if they're sold faulty goods.

In general, Valve does not provide refunds for any products purchased on its massive US-based digital distribution platform, Steam, unless required by local law. Today's updated Agreement acknowledges New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 as one such law.

"If you are a New Zealand subscriber, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, you may have the benefit of certain rights or remedies pursuant to the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993," reads the new Agreement. "Under this Act are guarantees which include that software is of acceptable quality. If this guarantee is not met there are entitlements to have the software remedied (which may include repair, replacement or refund). If a remedy cannot be provided or the failure is of substantial character the Act provides for a refund."

In September 2014, The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) sued Valve over its Steam refund policy, which it contended was is in breach of Australian law. Following that news, Gameplanet contacted the New Zealand Commerce Commission to learn what action New Zealanders could take if they believed they had been sold a faulty good from an international digital retailer such as Steam.

"The Consumer Guarantees Act is self-enforcing legislation meaning that consumers must seek redress from a supplier or manufacturer directly to resolve their disputes," said the Commission. "If the issue is unable to be resolved directly with the supplier or manufacturer then a claim can be made at the Disputes Tribunal.

"The Commission has not received any complaints about Valve’s Steam refund policy [September 2014]."

"Consumer laws apply to all transactions that take place in New Zealand. Consumers can take action through the courts in New Zealand, however there can be challenges in doing this when dealing with foreign companies. Consumers who have problems with online transactions with overseas traders can also lodge a complaint with the international watchdog http://www.econsumer.gov/english/."