Milberg London Secures Funding From Bench Walk Advisors for Competition Claim Against Valve
The video game industry has seen tremendous growth over recent decades, with research from PwC projecting that it could generate more than $300 billion in revenue by 2026. However, this rising tide has also brought with it allegations that some of the largest gaming companies have engaged in anti-competitive and anti-consumer practices, resulting in claims being brought with increasing regularity. A LinkedIn post and announcement from Milberg London LLP reveal that the law firm has secured ‘a substantial funding package’ from Bench Walk Advisors to bring a claim against Valve Corporation, one of the world’s largest gaming companies. The opt-out competition claim focuses on allegations that Valve’s digital distribution service and storefront, Steam, used ‘excessive pricing and anti-competitive price parity clauses, with the aim of ensuring fair competition in the digital gaming marketplace.’ The intended claim will be filed with the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), with Vicki Shotbolt, founder and CEO of Parent Zone, acting as the proposed class representative. Shotbolt is working with Milberg London, as well as barristers from Monckton Chambers including Robert Palmer KC, Julian Gregory, and Will Perry. This is notably the second opt-out claim that Milberg London has brought against a gaming corporation, having already brought a claim, worth up to £5 billion, against Sony Playstation for alleged abuses of its monopolistic position.