Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Famed felon seeks to join MDY vs Blizzard]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/famed-felon-seeks-to-join-mdy-vs-blizzard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/famed-felon-seeks-to-join-mdy-vs-blizzard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/famed-felon-seeks-to-join-mdy-vs-blizzard/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you've been keeping up, you already know of the court battle between Blizzard and MDY over the Glider automation software used with World of Warcraft. Another amicus brief has been filed in the case, and this one is a real attention-getter.

An amicus brief (often formally named amicus curiae -- friend of the court) is usually (but not always) where a concerned party submits additional information to the court, often to inform it of a wider impact or implication of certain outcomes beyond the fundamental interests of the direct parties to the case, or to provide other information which the court may be lacking. This isn't uncommon in particularly controversial, far-reaching or complex legal cases. That can go a little further, however, to what is called Intervention, where a third-party seeks to become a party to the case already in progress.

The filer of the Intervention is Jonathan Lee Riches, who is incontestably our favorite US Federal Prison inmate. Riches has previously sued "Adolf Hitler's National Socialist Party", "13 tribes of Israel", Plato, Nostradamus, Che Guevarra, Jimmy Hoffa, the Lincoln Memorial, the Eiffel Tower, the Garden of Eden, the Roman Empire, the Appalachian Trail, Three Mile Island (the island, not just the power-plant), Rockstar Games, George W Bush, Steve Jobs, Perez Hilton, Britney Spears, and hundreds more.

Now he's suing Blizzard because of World of Warcraft, and ... well, let's take a look at why ...

Continue reading Famed felon seeks to join MDY vs Blizzard

MassivelyFamed felon seeks to join MDY vs Blizzard originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>benjamin-duranskeblizzardgliderjonathan-lee-richeslegalmdyvirtually-blindworld-of-warcraftThu, 06 Nov 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard awarded large payout in 'WoW Glider' case]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/01/blizzard-awarded-large-payout-in-wow-glider-case/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/01/blizzard-awarded-large-payout-in-wow-glider-case/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/01/blizzard-awarded-large-payout-in-wow-glider-case/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The BBC is reporting that the WoW Glider case (MDY vs. Blizzard) is moving closer to resolution. If you'll recall, the court found in favor of Blizzard Entertainnment back in July, awarding them victory in their long-running feud with 'botting' software. WoW Glider is the best known 'bot software packages, allowing World of Warcraft players to automate their AFK play. Now a damages reward has been awarded to the software developer, to the tune of $US 6 million. The article notes that damages could have been even greater had MDY not won some legal arguments during the court battle.

The piece continues, "The damages award could be delayed if Blizzard appeals against the judgement which threw out its claim to double or triple the cash settlement. The case is due to go to court again in January 2009 when the remaining issues in the legal conflict look likely to be settled." Massively will continue to follow this case as it moves (slowly) towards conclusion.

MassivelyBlizzard awarded large payout in 'WoW Glider' case originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardgliderlegalmdyworld-of-warcraftwowwow-gliderwowgliderWed, 01 Oct 2008 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard responds to amicus brief in MDY bot suit]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/blizzard-responds-to-amicus-brief-in-mdy-bot-suit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/blizzard-responds-to-amicus-brief-in-mdy-bot-suit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/blizzard-responds-to-amicus-brief-in-mdy-bot-suit/#commentsFiled under: ,

Last month, digital rights advocacy group Public Knowledge filed an amicus curaie -- "friend of the court" -- brief regarding Blizzard's argument that a user making a memory copy of the World of Warcraft software for purposed of using MDY's Glider program to bot violated their terms of use and their copyright. Public Knowledge noted that loading legally obtained software into the memory for purposes of running it is explicitly allowed by copyright law. The judge required Blizzard to respond to the argument last Friday, and Virtually Blind has Blizzard's response.

The basic argument that Blizzard makes is that the software is only rented and that they control and license every allowable use, and every non-allowed use (by their license) is copyright infringement. (Public Knowledge points out that this would mean using non-allowed names, or communicating in game with a member of the opposing alignment, is also copyright infringement).

Do you feel when you buy a game or other software that you are buying the software -- and can therefore do what you like with it, regardless what some EULA allows -- or do you feel the publisher of the software retains all rights to that box and the particular copy of the software you have licensed? This goes beyond WoW and beyond video games entirely.

MassivelyBlizzard responds to amicus brief in MDY bot suit originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardgliderlegalmdypublic-knowledgeworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 30 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MDY and Blizzard continue to cross blades]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/mdy-and-blizzard-continue-to-cross-blades/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/mdy-and-blizzard-continue-to-cross-blades/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/mdy-and-blizzard-continue-to-cross-blades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

World of Warcraft seems to be the focus of virtual law, lawsuits, angry gnomes, and all sorts of fun these days. Not only is a player suing IGE due to their gold selling practices, but Blizzard also took MDY, makers of the glider program, to court. Now, MDY and Blizzard are moving closer to getting this battle finished.

The arena of choice is the US District Court of Arizona and the two sides put forth their best efforts and finished their replies. Now we just have to wait for the federal justice system to make a decision on summary judgment. As Virtually Blind's Benjamin Duranske points out, that could take some time. Nonetheless, a few people are following such lawsuits closely since this is new territory for the courts and the MMO industry. Some fear the cases bring the federal government onto virtual turf, others think it is time for an end to cheating and want government help, and a few players are indifferent and just want to get their characters to level 70 before Wrath of the Lich King arrives.

MassivelyMDY and Blizzard continue to cross blades originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 May 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>benjamin-duranskeblizzardgliderigelawsuitlegalmdyvirtual-lawvirtually-blindworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingMon, 26 May 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[[Updated] Gliding through a nasty Blizzard]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/30/gliding-through-a-nasty-blizzard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/30/gliding-through-a-nasty-blizzard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/30/gliding-through-a-nasty-blizzard/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Blizzard recently announced the folks behind the creation and sale of the popular Glider program, MDY Industries, are the latest target in an ongoing campaign against bots, hackers, and gold farmers. Blizzard claims that Glider, a third party software program that turns your character into a bot, has caused them in excess of US$20 Million in revenue. In their motion against MDY they claim:
  • Since Glider levels players faster, Blizzard lost revenue from shortened subscriptions
  • Glider violates their EULA and TOU through bot-ting
  • Glider can be used for gold farming, damaging the in game experience of others
  • Blizzard must spend money and time tracking down Glider users
MDY claims innocence, of course, stating that nowhere in the EULA or TOU (at the time the motions was filed) was a violation dictated that covered the use of the Glider program. Glider does not modify any of the game files nor does it mine or hack data from any of the game servers and thus, they argue, is not a violation of any of the rules governing the use of WoW. MDY believes that Glider 'has actually increased WoW's subscription revenue' since players hit the critical level 70 faster, with less frustration, and often find themselves craving more and opening a second account.

As the creator of Glider, Michael Donnelly, makes clear, it all started as a noble desire to catch up to his friends and enjoy content together. The case has caused Blizzard some bad press over the method used to inform Mr. Donnelly of their desire to sue his company. An unidentified private investigator, a lawyer, and a nice little note at the door asking him to stop selling the product they believe hits them in the wallet. Has Blizzard gone too far? What defines cheating? Who is truly at a loss? All questions we have to find answers to amidst the approaching storm.

[Updated to fix links]

Massively[Updated] Gliding through a nasty Blizzard originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardbotscheatingglidermdyworld-of-warcraftSun, 30 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EST