The Performing Right Society has filed a lawsuit against Valve, accusing the gaming company of using its members' musical works "without permission"

Steam's parent company, Valve, is facing legal action from the Performing Right Society (PRS) over the alleged unauthorized use of its members' music on the gaming platform.

According to the PRS, numerous games across the platform incorporate music to enhance gameplay, creating immersive experiences. Despite this, Valve reportedly has not secured the necessary licensing from PRS, which represents songwriters, composers, and music publishers.

The organization states that popular game series such as Forza Horizon, FIFA/EA FC, and GTA, featuring its members' music, are available on Steam without a license.

After attempting to address the licensing concerns with Valve for several years without success, PRS is now pursuing legal action under the UK's s20 Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988, asserting that any game using its members' works must be licensed.

In a public statement, PRS mentioned that unless Valve engages constructively in dialogue and obtains the correct license for past and future use of PRS-managed music, the case will proceed in court.

Dan Gopal, the chief commercial officer for PRS for Music, remarked, "While we prefer to resolve matters amicably, protecting the value of our members' music is imperative. We have a responsibility to act when these principles are disregarded."

He further emphasized the importance of music in video games, noting that songwriters and creators should receive proper recognition and compensation for their work.

In other news, New York Attorney General Letitia James has taken legal action against Valve, asserting that loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2, Team Fortress 2, and Dota 2 promote gambling among minors. Details of the lawsuit can be found here.