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lowgenius 
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Joined: 02 August 2004
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 Topic: Advertiser issue
Posted: 21 November 2006 at 2:53am |
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b0rg
Greetings! First, let me again thank you for creating these wonderful tools. I have used them in many different ways and applications, and they work wonderfully.
Unfortunately, I have a small issue that I need to bring to your attention.
I'm currently using the free version of the WWF for the discussion board for my World of Warcraft guild. Recently, I have begun seeing banner advertising for companies selling gold, powerleveling services, and high-level items.
I have a very serious issue with this, and I think that, as a fellow software developer, you'll understand when I explain.
You see, selling WoW gold, items, and powerleveling is illegal. It's against the law. Unlike Everquest, who has granted some licensing for these services, there is no legal mechanism by which you can buy or sell WoW gold, items, or powerleveling. The people selling this stuff are thieves, just like if I was out selling your software without your permission.
I understand that you're in business to make money and that these advertisers are paying you. That's business, and if you choose to continue accepting these ads, I won't hold it against you or run to another forum engine or whatever. After all, I'm running a free version of your software, and part of the condition of that use is my agreement to let your advertising run. I just would politely ask that you consider refusing advertising from these kinds of companies, if you can live without whatever they're paying you.
Thank you for your consideration, and as always thank you for the excellent tools you provide.
Regards,
John Henry
LowGenius Web Design
www.lowgenius.com
aka
Roguegenius
Guildmaster
The Champions Of The Raven
Alexstrasza-US
www.lowgenius.net/wow
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WebWiz-Bruce
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Web Wiz Developer
Joined: 03 September 2001
Location: Bournemouth
Status: Offline
Points: 9844
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Posted: 21 November 2006 at 8:43am |
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The ads are using Google AdSense.
I would imagine that if Google have OK'ed the ads on their system then they should be all legal and above board.
However, if you have an ad you don't like send an email to Web Wiz Guide with the URL and if the ad doesn't look like it should be used we will contact Googlre and have the ad removed from being displayed within our software.
Edited by -boRg- - 21 November 2006 at 8:44am
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dpyers
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Joined: 12 May 2003
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Points: 3937
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Posted: 21 November 2006 at 1:55pm |
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"illegal" is a hard word to use in this instance as it implies the possibility of court action.
Heard a 20 minute story about WoW on PBS last week. Topic was "real world" sales of WoW (and other MMORPG) assets. They talked to Blizzard and their attitude seemed to be that it happens, they didn't want to be involved with settling disputes based upon "real world" transactions - financial or otherwise, and that it added to the game play. They seemed to be more concerned with the use of bots to generate assets than the sale or trade of assets.
Real world sales violate their Terms of Use, but they didn't seem to be inclined to attempt to stop it through legal action at this time although they seemed to reserve the right to do so.
Edited by dpyers - 21 November 2006 at 2:00pm
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Lead me not into temptation... I know the short cut, follow me.
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lowgenius
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Posted: 21 November 2006 at 6:28pm |
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b0rg - thanks a bunch, didn't realize the WWG ads were google-powered, that makes it much easier to deal with. I'll instruct my users to capture the ad url when they see one and send it to me, and I'll get it to you.
DP - I don't want to get into a big discussion about the semantics of legality, as this isn't the place for it - all I know is that a) it's against the ToS, which means it's illegal whether it's taken to court or not, b) most legitimate players can't stand goldfarming and itemfarming because it screws up the sever economies, c) Blizz has nuked thousands upon thousands of accounts over it, most recently a set of around twelve thousand a few months ago, and d) our guild has taken a very hard-line stance against it, and the ads on our forums send a mixed message to new visitors, and MY users are complaining, so as the HMIC it's my duty to escalate the issue.
Honestly, I think Blizz tries to walk the fine line there because they recognize that they have players who feel strongly about the issue in both directions, and taking a hard-line tone one way or the other is going to alienate part of their user base. With 8 million players at fifteen bucks a month, even cheesing off a tenth of your users is a potential $150 million/year mistake.
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dpyers
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Joined: 12 May 2003
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Posted: 21 November 2006 at 7:49pm |
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I tend to agree with you. I just find it amazing that there's such real world value attached to virtual world assets.
The ultimate judgment IMHO, resides in your community. If particular adds violate community ethics they should be blocked.
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Lead me not into temptation... I know the short cut, follow me.
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