Doping & Cheating
Bungie Inc. Wins USD 12M Lawsuit Against Cheat Developer
In a significant legal triumph for the gaming industry, Bungie Inc., the developer behind the popular online multiplayer game “Destiny 2,” has successfully secured a default judgment against Mihai Claudiu-Florentin, a Romanian individual doing business as Veterancheats.com. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court, Western District of Washington at Seattle, culminated in a judgment partially in favor of Bungie, with the court permanently enjoining Claudiu-Florentin from further infringing activities and awarding substantial damages.
Background of the Case
Bungie, operating out of Bellevue, Washington, alleged that Claudiu-Florentin developed and sold cheat software that “hacks” the Destiny 2 software, providing players an unfair competitive advantage against others and violating Bungie’s software license agreement (LSLA). The cheat software, referred to as the “VeteranCheats Hack,” was marketed and sold through the website Veterancheats.com, infringing on four of Bungie’s copyrights related to Destiny 2 and its expansion, “Destiny 2: Beyond Light.” Bungie also claimed that Claudiu-Florentin utilized copyrighted imagery from Destiny 2 to promote and sell the VeteranCheats Hack without authorization.
The Legal Claims
Bungie asserted several claims against Claudiu-Florentin, including copyright infringement, violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), breach of contract, intentional interference with contractual relations, and violations of the Washington Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The gaming company sought a default judgment on all claims, requesting a total amount of USD 12,059,912.98, which includes statutory damages under the DMCA, actual damages for copyright infringement, and attorneys’ fees and costs.
The Judgment
The court granted the motion for default judgment in part, permanently enjoining Claudiu-Florentin from further infringing activities. Bungie alleged that the VeteranCheats Hack caused harm by diminishing the enjoyment of the game for non-cheating players and reducing its potential revenue from in-game sales. The court acknowledged the merits of Bungie’s claims for copyright infringement, DMCA violations, breach of contract, and intentional interference with contractual relations, but did not grant a default judgment for the CPA claim.
Implications for the Gaming Industry
This case underscores the ongoing battle between game developers and cheat software providers in the gaming industry. Bungie’s legal victory sends a clear message to cheat developers about the potential legal repercussions of their activities. The judgment not only provides financial redress for Bungie but also serves as a deterrent to others who might engage in similar infringing activities, safeguarding the integrity of the gaming environment.
Looking Ahead
While Bungie has secured a victory in this instance, the war against cheat software in the gaming industry is far from over. Developers and gaming companies will likely continue to face challenges in protecting their intellectual property and ensuring fair play in their gaming environments. This case sets a precedent and may pave the way for further legal actions against cheat developers, potentially curbing the proliferation of cheat software and enhancing the gaming experience for players across the globe.
Sergey Galyonkin from Raleigh, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bungie, Inc. v. Claudiu-Florentin, Case No. 2:21-cv-01114-TL
