Private servers - Blizzard's stand on this?

#0 - Nov. 29, 2007, 6:46 a.m.
Blizzard Post
To the point, I would like to know if Blizzard would (or should I say, could) do anything about the many private servers we have running around on the web. If they could track down an offender(s), would blizzard punish them to the fullest extent of the law?

Basically in short, Would blizzard care?

In the ToU it states:

Limitations on Your Use of the Service.

1. Only Blizzard or its licensees have the right to host the Game. You may not host or provide matchmaking services for the Game, or intercept, emulate or redirect the proprietary communication protocols used by Blizzard in connection with the Program, regardless of the method used to do so. Such prohibited methods may include, but are not limited to, protocol emulation, reverse engineering, modifying the Program, adding unauthorized components to the Program, or using a packet sniffer while the Program is running.


and

Blizzard reserves the exclusive right to create derivative works based on the Program. You may not create derivative works based on the Program without Blizzard’s prior written consent.


(These may indirectly apply to the creation and continued use of private servers)

So another question of mine is:

If a person manages to find sufficient and proven information regarding a private server's owner and/or associates, also providing additional information on how to contact these individuals, would Blizzard take action or at least look into the situation?

Because if that is so, I've got a certain private server in mind that I wish to report on.

I am aware, however, that this matter is of no urgency nor would it require immediate attention. I simply wish to know if something would be done should somebody bring detailed information about these private servers to the consideration of the WoW community, and possibly to Blizzard's fair justice.
#57 - Nov. 29, 2007, 8:08 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
Why do you care what other people are doing?

Why does someone care what other people are doing?

Perhaps it is a sense of community pride?

Why should someone care about someone else shoplifting? After all it doesn't harm them does it? Oh wait it does, because of shoplifting store prices are higher than they normally would be to cover the loss and to cover added security measures to try and prevent people from taking something that does not belong to them.

Orlake, I recommend reporting any private servers you may come across to our hacks team via the link below.

http://us.blizzard.com/support/hackswebform-us.xml

I'm amazed and deeply saddened at the responses I've seen in this thread.
#64 - Nov. 29, 2007, 8:38 p.m.
Blizzard Post
*laughs*

*rolls on the floor*

*laughs some more*

Rationalization at its finest. Thank you, Ashtin, I needed that.

I think we're done here.

*puts on his [Tinfoil hat] and leaves, locking the thread behind him*