Blizzard Suing Virtual Gold Seller

[Triple_6]

As many of you know, the latest content patch, along with many great new content additions, contains technical counter-measures designed to combat in-game gold spamming. Our efforts to reduce in-game abuse and create a fun, safe environment for everyone are never-ending.

With that said, we felt that it was important to share with the community just how serious we are in our efforts to combat this type of abuse. Blizzard has filed a federal lawsuit against the operators of Peons4hire, a popular gold-selling organization which many of you have no doubt seen advertised. As part of the lawsuit, the operators of Peons4hire have been asked to immediately cease all in-game spamming efforts by all entities and websites under their control.

If this organization refuses to act accordingly, further legal action will be taken. We'll be sure to keep you posted on the progress of this topic.

Link to Forum Topic (http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=106771592&pageNo=1&sid=1#0)

[JimbobSS]

you know the easiest way to get rid of that spam is to turn the /whisper channel off completely. You can always turn it back on when you want to, but while you are in a group party chat is all you need for those without vent. I don't see what the problem here is even though it is annoying and you shouldn't have to ignore the /whisper channel just to get away from spam, the only problem here is the people purchasing the gold from those no life not real job having whores. GET A REAL JOB YOU LOSERS!!!!!

[Triple_6]

I agree with you. I'm more interested in the legal ramifications of the court's decision though. This could have huge implications for the exchange of virtual commodities for real world assets. Where do you draw the line between what's real and what isn't? You can't hold virtual gold in your hands but someone put real world labor into acquiring it. Does that count for anything? But then again the intellectual rights to the gold and the entire WoW universe belong to Blizzard. I'm real curious what Peons4hire's defense will be.

Lawyers could be citing Blizzard vs. Peons4hire years from now.

[Triple_6]

Don't forget about the IRS' plan to tax virtual assets (http://news.com.com/IRS+taxation+of+online+game+virtual+assets+inevita ble/2100-1043_3-6140298.html?tag=st.prev) either. If Peons4hire loses, that could open up a potential defense against taxation as well. How can you tax me for something that Blizzard vs. Peons4hire said doesn't even belong to me? The opposite could be said if Peons4hire wins. Pretty interesting stuff when you think about it.

[JimbobSS]

ya, that is true. How can an entire company be based solely on selling you things that they spent time aquiring when the items they give you were never even theirs to give. I think if the courts look at it as another person selling property owned by another company, while the other company never gave them permission to sell thier property, the persons selling will lose.