Game paid content refund lawsuit, victory through interpretation of the Electronic Commerce Act.
Article posted in 2024-10-10 09:35:51 | VEAT
Law firm Veat represented a Metaverse game development company (hereinafter “Client”) and won in an e-commerce dispute, solidifying its position as a game-specialized law firm.
The main issue in this lawsuit was whether refunds were possible for paid content purchased in a mobile game due to the game developer's non-fault game service interruption.
The plaintiff, a game user, purchased paid content from the Client's mobile game and was using it when the game service was suspended due to a decision by the Game Management Committee, and the Client immediately provided a game (hereinafter “Modified Game”) reflecting the reason for the suspension to the game users.
The plaintiff argued that a refund was possible under the E-commerce Act because the Modified Game or the paid content provided by the Client differed from the displayed/advertised content or the contract content. Furthermore, it emphasized that the plaintiff's refund request was a legitimate consumer right, considering the insufficient advance notice regarding the service interruption.
Law firm Veat meticulously analyzed this case based on its specialized knowledge and experience in e-commerce and game-related matters. First, it argued that the game usage contract, which is a gratuitous contract, is not subject to the E-commerce Act, distinguishing it from the paid content purchase contract, which is a contractual one, and particularly emphasized that the service interruption due to the Game Management Committee's decision could not be attributed to the Client's fault.
Furthermore, regarding the paid content purchase contract, it proved that the paid content was provided in accordance with the displayed/advertised content or the contract content, based on the fact that the same paid content usage was possible even in the Modified Game.
As such, Law firm Veat successfully proved that the plaintiff's claim was without merit, and as a result, the court fully adopted the defendant's argument, judging that the suspension of the game service due to the Game Management Committee’s decision did not constitute the Client’s fault and that the plaintiff could continue to use the paid content identically through their existing account in the Modified Game, therefore it did not fall under the provision of Article 17(3) of the E-commerce Act, which stipulates that the goods are delivered differently from the displayed/advertised content or the contract content.
Refund issues related to changes or interruptions of game services may frequently occur in the future, so this case can serve as an important precedent in e-commerce disputes arising in the game industry.
Law firm Veat, as a game-specialized law firm that proactively responds to legal issues arising in the game industry and e-commerce, closely monitors legal changes that may affect game services, such as the Fair Trade Commission guidelines.
Because these regulatory changes can significantly affect how game companies operate their businesses, Law firm Veat provides optimal legal advice to game companies so they can comply with regulations while achieving their business goals.
In particular, Law firm Veat has extensive experience in IT legal advisory areas, such as the E-commerce Act, paid content refund issues, and game litigation, and provides in-depth advice on complex legal issues facing innovative technology companies like those in the Metaverse.
Through this kind of legal advice, Law firm Veat supports its clients in successfully operating their game businesses.
If you need the help of a game law specialist for operating your business, including paid content refunds, please contact Law firm Veat.
Thank you.
Law firm Veat