TL;DR
- Valve officially rejected Jamppi’s request for temporary VAC ban removal, citing potential damage to their anti-cheat system integrity
- The 19-year-old Finnish pro faces exclusion from Valve-sponsored tournaments despite his new contract with ENCE
- Legal proceedings continue with jurisdictional uncertainty and a seven-day appeal window
- The case highlights broader issues around account sharing policies and competitive integrity
- Valve continues implementing enhanced security measures like Trusted Mode across CS:GO
The escalating confrontation between professional Counter-Strike talent Elias “Jamppi” Olkkonen and Valve Corporation has entered a critical new phase. For the first time, Valve has issued a direct legal response addressing the player’s petition for competitive reinstatement.
Jamppi initiated formal litigation proceedings against the Counter-Strike development team back in March, following his exclusion from all Valve-sanctioned competitive events due to an active VAC prohibition. The teenage esports athlete pursued €268,092 in restitution for lost professional opportunities while simultaneously demanding complete removal of the VAC sanction. His defense centered on claims that the account faced restrictions during a period when he had authorized a friend’s access.
As courtroom deliberations progressed, Jamppi submitted an additional motion requesting the District Court of Eastern Uusimaa grant provisional relief from the VAC ban pending final resolution.
Feeling ready to take on a new season. Excited to start working again with the team today.#EZ4ENCE
— Elias Olkkonen (@Jamppicsgo) August 10, 2020
According to documentation from Ilta-Sanomat, Finland’s prominent media outlet, Valve has formally opposed the temporary suspension request. The game developers argued that revoking the VAC prohibition, even temporarily, would inflict substantial harm on corporate interests. Lifting competitive bans without conclusive evidence reversal, they contended, establishes dangerous precedent suggesting players could circumvent consequences for cheating violations.
“The petitioner attempts to secure through interim measures what remains unattainable in his primary legal action,” articulated Valve’s legal representation. This position underscores their commitment to maintaining zero-tolerance policies against any form of competitive integrity compromise.
Something new is in the horizon..⁉️#EZ4ENCE pic.twitter.com/WL31O5P0JW
— ENCE (@ENCE) August 17, 2020
Jampii seeks VAC ban removal after ENCE deal
Jamppi’s urgency in seeking ban relief appears directly connected to his recent professional commitment with organization ENCE. Unfortunately for the emerging superstar, his participation in prestigious CS:GO Major championships remains improbable in the immediate competitive landscape. The young professional retains the right to contest Valve’s determination through the Court of Appeals system within the forthcoming seven-day period.
Complicating matters further, the District Court of Eastern Uusimaa currently deliberates whether it possesses appropriate jurisdiction to adjudicate the continuing dispute.
Cheating violations persist as a significant challenge within the CS:GO ecosystem. Valve recently implemented blocking mechanisms against numerous third-party applications operating concurrently with their flagship title. This security framework, designated Trusted Mode, remains optionally deactivatable, though competitors electing to permit unspecified programs will experience reduced trust factor ratings.
Today we’re shipping an optional beta branch of CS:GO with changes that are part of our continuing fight against cheating. More in today’s Blog Post: https://t.co/4KVVkzllzl
— CS:GO (@CSGO) June 26, 2020
Action Checklist
- Never share Steam account credentials, even with trusted teammates or friends
- Monitor account activity regularly through Steam’s security features
- Understand VAC policy implications before pursuing professional contracts
- Consult legal expertise regarding competitive eligibility during contract negotiations
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Valve responds to Jamppi’s request to lift VAC ban temporarily Valve denies Jamppi's VAC ban removal request amid legal battle and ENCE signing controversy