About a month ago I reported on an advertising campaign by a company called Engage, using technology from in-game advertising firm IGA, that placed Subway ads throughout maps on several Counter-Strike servers. When contacted about the matter, Valve stated that the campaign was unauthorized and illegal. Today, the noted development studio sent out a press release announcing that Valve and IGA have come to an "amicable resolution of difference" regarding the matter, and no legal action will be taken against IGA.

Last year, IGA arranged for the placement of advertising in Counter-Strike for certain advertisers and their agencies. Like all commercial advertisements, ads in games such as Counter-Strike require permission from the intellectual property (IP) owner. IGA has always sought to honor the intellectual property rights of the owners of games in which its advertising is inserted. IGA takes its responsibility to obtain such permission very seriously.

Valve and IGA have announced that they are pleased to have reached a swift and professional resolution of any issues that may have existed between them, IGA's advertisers and IGA's advertising agencies. Valve and IGA look forward to discussing mutually beneficial opportunities in the future.

The announcement implies that Valve will be working with IGA in the future for other in-game advertisement campaigns. Further comments from Valve on future plans were not available by press time.