A proposed class action lawsuit filed on May 31, 2026, in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington accuses Microsoft and Valve of entering into an unlawful price-fixing agreement. The complaint alleges the two companies conspired to maintain "price parity" between games sold on the Microsoft Store and Steam, resulting in higher prices and reduced consumer choice, according to medianama.com.
The lawsuit claims that Microsoft joined Valve's cartel through a 2011 distribution contract that included a "horizontal price-fixing agreement" clause. This clause, described by an arbitrator as unlawful, required both companies to match prices, preventing competition on pricing. The complaint seeks damages and injunctive relief under the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, and the Washington Consumer Protection Act on behalf of US consumers who purchased PC games from either platform.
The case highlights concerns over anti-competitive practices in digital game distribution, where price parity agreements can limit market competition and harm consumers. Valve's own court filings acknowledged the arbitrator's finding of an unlawful price-fixing clause. The lawsuit underscores regulatory scrutiny over major tech companies' agreements that may suppress price competition, similar to other antitrust actions in the tech sector.
The lawsuit remains pending in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington, with plaintiffs seeking legal remedies for affected consumers. The case could have significant implications for pricing policies in digital marketplaces and set precedents for future antitrust enforcement in the gaming industry.