Activision Scores Major Victory in Battle Against Call of Duty Cheaters
Activision, the publisher behind the popular Call of Duty franchise, has secured a significant legal win in its ongoing fight against cheat makers. A U.S. District Court has ordered EngineOwning, a prominent cheat software developer, to pay $14.5 million in damages for creating and distributing cheats for Call of Duty games.
Key Takeaways:
- EngineOwning ordered to pay $14,465,600 in damages
- Additional $292,912 in attorney fees awarded to Activision
- Cheat maker must cease operations and surrender its website
A Decisive Blow to Cheat Developers
The ruling, handed down by District Judge Michael Fitzgerald, marks a major victory for Activision in its efforts to combat cheating in online gaming. The lawsuit, initially filed in 2022, accused EngineOwning of violating the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
EngineOwning's cheats, which included features like aimbots and wall hacks, allowed players to gain unfair advantages in Call of Duty multiplayer matches. These tools not only violated Activision's terms of service but also significantly impacted the gaming experience for legitimate players.
Beyond Monetary Damages
While the $14.5 million judgment is substantial, the court's ruling goes further in dismantling EngineOwning's operations:
- Website Forfeiture: EngineOwning must surrender control of its website to Activision.
- Cease and Desist: The company is ordered to stop creating and selling cheat software.
- Legal Costs: An additional $292,912 in attorney fees must be paid to Activision.
A Pattern of Legal Action
This isn't the first time Activision has pursued legal action against cheat makers. The company previously won $3 million in settlements from individuals associated with EngineOwning. This latest ruling targets the company itself, along with its founders Valentin Rick and Leon Risch, as well as others involved in the business.
Industry-Wide Implications
Activision's legal victory could have far-reaching consequences for the gaming industry:
- Deterrent Effect: Other cheat makers may think twice before targeting popular games.
- Precedent Setting: The ruling could embolden other game publishers to pursue similar legal action.
- Improved Gaming Experience: Reducing the prevalence of cheats should lead to fairer online matches.
The Road Ahead
While this ruling is a significant step in combating cheating in online games, the battle is far from over. Activision and other publishers will likely need to remain vigilant, combining legal action with robust anti-cheat technology to maintain fair play in their online ecosystems.
As the gaming industry continues to grapple with the challenges posed by cheaters, this legal victory for Activision serves as a powerful reminder of the potential consequences for those who develop and distribute cheat software.