GameStop stores in California are to be forced to put warning stickers on used games that, when bought new, come with one-use online passes or additional downloadable content, according to a report from Business Wire.
A class-action settlement won by firm Baron & Budd means that the retailer will now have to put warnings on used products that once contained additional content or product activation codes, both in-store and online.
Baron and Budd's Mark Pifko said: "We are pleased that as a result of this lawsuit, we were able to obtain complete restitution for consumers, with actual money paid out to people who were harmed by GameStop's conduct."
"The in-store and online warnings are an important benefit under the settlement as well, because if GameStop discloses the truth to consumers, it is unlikely that they will be able to continue selling used copies of certain games for only $5 less than the price of a new copy."
He then added: "In fact, we already know that not long after the lawsuit was filed, GameStop lowered prices for used copies of many of the game titles identified in the lawsuit."
Whilst it is unclear exactly what the long term implications of this victory will be, the precedent it sets will likely force retailers to re-examine the way they handle second-hand stock in the future.