As news reported by BBC NEWS, World of Warcraft creator Blizzard looks set to get 6m USD (3.36m GBP) from the makers of a software 'bot'. The cash is part of a deal brokered by Blizzard and MDY Industries - the maker of the WoWGlider software 'bot.
The details are as below:
Cash call
In July US District Court Judge David Campbell ruled that the MMOGlider, as the software is now known, broke the terms of the license that players agree to when they play World of Warcraft (WoW).
The Glider software is the creation of MDY founder Michael Donnelly who is thought to have sold more than 100,000 copies of the 25 USD (14 GBP) program.
It proved popular with many WoW players as it helped them automate the many repetitive tasks, such as killing monsters and scavenging loot, required to turn low level characters into more powerful ones.
Although sizeable the damages award could have been bigger, say experts, if MDY had not won some of its arguments about damages in court.
click here for full image
It was also helped by an admission in court that it would be reasonable to pay some form of damages.
The award could be delayed if Blizzard appeals against the judgement which threw out its claim to double or triple the cash settlement.
The case is due to go to court again in January 2009 when the remaining issues in the legal conflict look likely to be settled.
At issue will be whether MDY broke the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act and whether Mr Donnelly will have to pay the damages from his own pocket.
Read more: Blizzard Gets Warcraft Bot Payout
Resource: BBC NEWS
Related Stories: Are Online Games Owned by the Gaming Communities?
Make Crafting Better
BlizzCon Tournament Brackets and Player Profiles
Preparing to Play Your Death Knight
German Questioned Over Gamer's Murder
