Blizzard Wins $6 Million in WoW Glider Case

Allakhazam poster Leodis has pointed out in our WoW general forum that Blizzard has won $6 million in damages from MDY, the producers of the World of Warcraft Glider software, according to BBC News.

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.

Check BBC News for the full article or keep reading below. Also, discuss the topic in our forum .

Blizzard wins Warcraft bot payout

World of Warcraft creator Blizzard has won $6m (£3.36m) in damages from the makers of a software 'bot'.

The damages award comes after Blizzard won the first round of its legal battle against MDY Industries in July 2008.

Blizzard embarked on the case against MDY claiming that the World of Warcraft Glider software produced by the small company infringed its copyright.

The Glider software lets Warcraft players automate many of the repetitive steps the game involves.

Cash call

In July US District Court Judge David Campbell ruled that the MMOGlider, as the software is now known, broke the terms of the license that players agree to when they play World of Warcraft (WoW).

The Glider software is the creation of MDY founder Michael Donnelly who is thought to have sold more than 100,000 copies of the $25 (£14) program.

It proved popular with many WoW players as it helped them automate the many repetitive tasks, such as killing monsters and scavenging loot, required to turn low level characters into more powerful ones.

Although sizeable the damages award could have been bigger, say experts, if MDY had not won some of its arguments about damages in court.

It was also helped by an admission in court that it would be reasonable to pay some form of damages.

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.

At issue will be whether MDY broke the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act and whether Mr Donnelly will have to pay the damages from his own pocket.

Comments

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Revolution
# Oct 07 2008 at 4:27 AM Rating: Decent
Got to respect a company who sees s#!+ going down they don't like and taking an active stand against it.
Blizzard may damn well revolutionize all MMOs into having balls to deal with bots and farmers.
pwned
# Oct 06 2008 at 8:25 PM Rating: Decent
Pwned.
6 Million, Ouch!
# Oct 06 2008 at 6:35 AM Rating: Good
***
1,606 posts
Even if they sold 200,000 copies at $25.00US that's still only 5 million dollars.

I would imagine they are using this guy to set an example. "***** with us and we will own your a$$!" type stuff.
Woot
# Oct 02 2008 at 7:21 AM Rating: Good
I look at it this way: That is just one less tool gold farmers have to destroy our market.
HAHA!
# Oct 01 2008 at 4:47 PM Rating: Decent
when will people learn not to mess with the terms and agreements? Blizzard shall not be so easily beaten.
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