Valve 1 v Users 0

When is a "permanent" ban, not permanent?

Oh, this is so easy to answer. A Valve-Anti-Cheat ban is only permanent as long as you are not prepared to pay them some money.

What's that you say, "But surely, if a ban is placed on a user for using cheats - and they have a 'zero tolerance' for such actions - then they can never be allowed to play again!"

OK, say that, but you are wrong...

I quote from the 'standard' answer to any enquiry about being banned,

"If you choose to purchase a new copy of the VAC banned game(s), please create a new Steam account to register the games on..." 

But wait, don't Valve also say that they will basically determine whether or not you are a "cheat" and ban you without telling you how, why or when? Yes, that's it.

So just to be clear...

1. You go and buy a Steam game and register an account
2. You use it for a while
3. Valve determines that you are a cheat (you may or may not be, but that is irrelevant to them)
4. You are banned from playing the game you paid for on secure servers
5. You have no right of appeal
6. If you want to play again, just go an buy another copy, create a new account and... off you go!

It's pretty clear to me who wins from this: Valve 1 v Users 0