Dear (Karadoc's friend),

In the last few days we have received multiple emails about the versions
of Half Life Orange Box and Counter Strike Source we have been selling.

The following error has occurred when customers have attempted to install
their game:

?This product code is only valid for Russia and nearby territories. Since
you are not currently in that region, this product code cannot be activated.?

We can assure customers that the products are not Russian, this is Valve
lying to the end-user. We have supplied you with Asia region official products
that were fully Australian compatible up until a few days ago. Up until last
week, we had sold hundreds of each product to 100% satisfied Australians,
this reflected in our perfect feedback for these items.

Just this week, Valve decided to put in place previously non-existent region
restrictions on these products that will restrict new accounts. Now, every
single version of Half Life Orange Box, CS Source and related steam titles
cannot be activated unless the product code being used matches the exact
territory it is being activated in.

This is not a case of Valve blocking cheap Russian copies, they are region
locking every single official version so that they can force each territory
to pay a different price. This kind of region locking with PC games is previously
unheard of. It represents a new low for the game industry and a new high
point for publisher greed, with Valve now forcing Australians to pay RRP
$99.95

Unfortunately, this all means that we must undertake to accept returns of
these products from all customers who have bought from us and are experiencing
the above problem with their product key.

Please return your product in its original condition (including full packaging)
& the new cd-key to:

(the address of the local store)

Bear in mind that before a refund is issued all cd-keys will be tested for
the above error. The product key must be new and not be attached to an existing
steam account.

We apologise greatly for the inconvenience and disappointment this has caused.

The publisher has demonstrated complete contempt for us (the reseller) and
you (the end-user) by region locking a product without warning and months
after release.

We may never again stock Valve products and encourage customers to reconsider
supporting a publisher which repeatedly attempts to manipulate the market
at the expense of the average gamer.

Thankyou for your patience,
(the local Store Karadoc mentioned)