Blizzard Battles Against Bot Developer

Posted by Centauri2002 On October - 3 - 2008 View Comments

Blizzard 800 Blizzard Battles Against Bot Developer

Games developer, Blizzard Entertainment, has taken legal action against MDY Industries, provider of the Glider bot, winning an estimated $6 million in damages. Blizzard claimed that the software infringed the copyright of their MMORPG, World of Warcraft and, in July, US District Court Judge David Campbell ruled that it broke the players’ terms of license.

Glider was previously known as WoWGlider but was renamed on 22nd March 2007 to avoid potential copyright infringement caused by using the ‘WoW’ term. The software is a gameplay automation program, allowing players to leave their computers whilst their characters automatically perform repetitive tasks, such as killing creatures and looting them.

World of Warcraft uses a custom-built scanning mechanism to detect software which infringes upon its EULA. The scanning software is known as “Warden”, and some of its known scanning procedures involve checking active processes on the system and comparing hashes of window titles and contents to a predefined list which may indicate unauthorized software.

Glider employs a custom-built rootkit known as the “shadow driver” to avoid detection by the “Warden” software. It works by hiding the process from view by other processes, and adds an additional layer of security for Glider users that is believed to be undetectable by “Warden” at this time. Because it is considered a rootkit, some anti-virus software will prevent it from running correctly.

Taken from gliderprofile.org

Created by MDY Industries founder, Michael Donnelly, the bot is estimated to have sold over 100,000 copies, each priced at $25. Blizzard may appeal the decision of not increasing the amount of damages to be paid by at least double. As such, the case is due to be heard in court again in January 2009, where remaining issues will be heard, such as whether Mr Donnelly has broken the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act or if he should pay the damages from his own pocket.

As of 15th September 2008, World of Warcraft had over 10.9 million subscribers and is estimated to hold 62% of the MMO market. In the first quarter of 2008, revenues from WoW were a reported $296.97 million.