Activision wins legal battle against cheat maker EngineOwning

In a significant legal victory for video game publisher Activision, a court has ruled in favor of the company in a civil case against cheat maker EngineOwning. The United States District Court of the Central District of California has ordered EngineOwning to pay Activision a substantial sum of $14,465,600 in statutory damages and $292,912 in attorneys’ fees. Additionally, EngineOwning has been directed to cease its illicit activities and transfer its domain name, www.EngineOwning.to, to Activision.

The court found EngineOwning guilty of evading security measures and distributing cheating software for popular games like Call of Duty, Counter-Strike, Battlefield, and Titanfall in violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The damages were calculated based on the estimated number of downloads of the cheating software in the United States, resulting in the significant sum awarded to Activision.

Despite a previous ruling against EngineOwning in February 2023, the company continued to offer cheating tools for games like Call of Duty and Warzone, leading to the current legal battle with Activision. The ongoing issue of cheating in multiplayer games, particularly in titles like Warzone, has prompted video game publishers to take strict actions against cheat makers.

Activision's efforts to combat cheating include recent measures to address boosting behavior in Multiplayer and Warzone Ranked Play. Accounts found to have boosted progression will face permanent bans from accessing Ranked Play modes in Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone, demonstrating the company's commitment to maintaining fair gameplay.

The ruling against EngineOwning serves as a warning to cheat makers in the gaming industry and highlights the ongoing battle against cheating in online games. Activision's success in this case underscores the importance of protecting intellectual property and ensuring a level playing field for all gamers. As the fight against cheating continues, players can expect stricter enforcement measures and increased vigilance from game developers to maintain the integrity of online gaming experiences.