Are private servers for World of Warcraft legal?
Whether Private Servers for World of Warcraft is legal, is a question that gets asked a lot. The reason is that there’s no simple answer for it, as it’s a bit of a grey zone to host a WoW Server. But players playing on a WoW Server (not retail) have not been punished so far.
Is it legal to create your own server?
Therefore people are legally allowed by copywrite to create their own servers and host them, as long as they own the version of the game. Other players may also join and play on those servers, if they own a version of the game.
Is it legal to donate to a private server?
There is no legal requirement for them to supply you with anything, for your donation. Personally, private servers are the way to go for WoW imo. The communities are far better than what monstrosity Blizzard has turned the retail version into. They are generally far more relaxed and enjoyable.
Are private servers illegal in the US?
Yes, private servers are illegal due to copyright. You should not worry about getting fined though, because they only care about the ones who are hosting the private server. Not the people who are playing.
Can you participate on emulated servers in Wow?
If WOW did not have the second part of „participation on emulated servers“, then a user could modify on the router level to point to a private server. MMOs and certain other games ( Everquest, World of Warcraft, Diablo III etc.) are always-online client-server games, in which part of the game lives in the client, and part lives on the server.
What is the punishment for playing on a private server?
There is no legal punishment for people who play in private servers, but the one that is hosting the server and his partners can suffer consequences that goes from a lawsuit to actual time in confinement.
Can I get in trouble for playing private servers?
This means that merely as a player you shouldn’t worry about getting in trouble. Before involving yourself with a private server, whether you are a player or a creator of one – be 100% sure that your involvement is legal by copyright, EULA and other legal agreements.
Is it legal to shut down a private server?
As the other answer suggests, its both yes and no. In the US laws are much more in favor of large businesses. I can’t remember the specifics, but copywrite law there allows Blizzard to close down private server’s operating in the country. However, this only applies to private servers hosted within the US ( not for players )