http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-10-13-epic-is-suing-two-alleged-fortnite-cheaters

In the battle against online cheating, Epic is sueing for alleged copyright infringement.

However, neither defendant is being sued for the actual act of cheating; rather, Epic is suing both parties for alleged copyright infringement, arguing that the defendants' cheating is "infringing Epic's copyrights by injecting unauthorized computer code into the copyright protected code".

In doing so it says, "Defendant is creating unauthorized derivative works of Fortnite by modifying the game code and, thus, materially altering the game that the code creates and the experience of those who play it." This, Epic argues, is in violation of Fortnite's End User License Agreement and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.


What consequences can this have for the modding community?

A while ago Open IV was shutdown by Take Two for alleged online cheating, yet after a lot of backlash and not much legal ground to stand on it was allowed back. However if the court rules in favor of Epic, it could become a lot easier to take down other modding tools.

Are the online cheaters about to destroy a good thing...


Where to draw the line? Modding for personal use is perfectly fine. Mods to help in a co-op game? I've used mods in WoW to help with raids, is that considered cheating as well?


With Denuvo games now already cracked 24h after release, and online cheating seemingly thriving, how long will it be until games retreat behind streaming services. Nothing but a dumb client, input in, video stream out. Pirates, hackers, cheaters, making gaming worse for everybody.

Only in United States sooo ...

I wish I cared about this ... but after the emulation threads ... I just can't spare enough fucks

For what it is, I'll just say a case by case basis is important

Talk about extreme haha

God, I hope my monitor has the exact color settings as the development team has. Or they'll sue me for altering their content.

Seriously, going for copyright violations to pursue other violations is as low as you can go as a developer. As if copyright law isn't already completely fucked up. They should have a pretty weak case here though.

It seems more seeking attention than having any serious chance.

Btw didn't pubg ban players for altering the ini files. Epic is taking it one step further /  too far. But I guess banning people from a free to play game isn't very effictive when you can make a new account with no extra costs. Free to play = free to cheat?

Doesn't sound like this has any chance, or at least this shouldn't have any chance. Considering a mod to be a derivative work? Ha! Or maybe it is, but sounds like it could be considered fair use. Obviously cheating needs to be dealt with, but not at any cost.

Long live game modding! Screw cheaters though.

The idea that this can even go so far, to reach a court is just silly.
Its something that should be self evident that its legal.

If they change this... what next?

Your not allowed to buy a physical copy of a book, and write it in? even if you own it? No more school books, with highlights used in them, you might get sued.

A game you own, changeing apparences in game for you, is akin to writeing something in a book you bought imo.

If modding becomes ilegal, then books should be next.