Private server illegal?

[komig]

I maybe going to buy a server and set it up in my office server room.
I need to know it is illegal to setup a world of warcraft private server?
What its the worse that can happen?

[stoneharry]

It is illegal but blizzard seriously would not care less unless you start making a huge profit out of it or something.

[komig]

Does it use much data?

[Vision1000]

Does it use much data?

you bamf

lmfao

[stoneharry]

The server and DBC's without source is ~75MB depending on how many scripts you have. The maps folder is ~1.3gig and you need this if you want to run a public server. For the source it's about ~2gig. For programs such as microsoft visual and dropbox, svn etc, your going to need ~20gig. The WoW client is ~13gig.
Hardware does not matter that much as far as WoW servers go, you need about 2-4 gig ram, and dual core at least. The upload speed is basically what determines how many players you can hold, do a search to find out how much you need.

Also Vsion1000, "you bamf" what?

[Heliumz]

host, provide or develop matchmaking services for the Game or intercept, emulate or redirect the communication protocols used by Blizzard Entertainment in any way, including, without limitation, through protocol emulation, tunneling, packet sniffing, modifying or adding components to the Game, use of a utility program or any other techniques now known or hereafter developed, for any purpose, including, but not limited to, unauthorized network play over the Internet, network play utilizing commercial or non-commercial gaming networks or as part of content aggregation networks; or

(iv) create or maintain, under any circumstance, any unauthorized connections to the Game or the Service. All connections to the Game and/or the Service, whether created by the Game Client or by other tools and utilities, may only be made through methods and means expressly approved by Blizzard Entertainment. Under no circumstances may you connect, or create tools that allow you or others to connect, to the Game's proprietary interface or interfaces other than those expressly provided by Blizzard Entertainment for public use.



Terms of use :World of Warcraft Europe -> Legal Documents -> Terms of Use

2. Only Blizzard Entertainment or its licensees have the right to host World of Warcraft! Accordingly, you may not host, provide matchmaking services for, or intercept, emulate or redirect the communication protocols used by Blizzard Entertainment as part of World of Warcraft, regardless of the method used to do so. Such prohibited methods may include, but are not limited to, protocol emulation, reverse engineering, modifying World of Warcraft, adding components to World of Warcraft, or using a utility program to host World of Warcraft.

Thats scary me :P

[disgustedoak]

Its illegal i think u figured that.. but seriously whats Blizzard gonna do ping every ip adress in the world to see if somones running a private server? i dont think so, if your server becomes too big/taking too much profit just be carfull thats all lol i plan to launch my server soon been working/researching for around 3 months now so it should be ok to launch a wow server Good luck! :wave:

[komig]

Thanks for all the answers. I don't think the connection is a problem 1000/1000 mbit.
The only problem is that we pay for 10000 GB traffic. If i use all of them they close my server. What will every player use?

[disgustedoak]

Sorry to break the new's but for 100 players + You will need unlimited, because i'd say it would use a helll of a lot, Your best off looking for a cheap Unlimited package because then you will not have to worry, because yes private servers do use alot of bandwidth always somthing to think about sorry i cant be no help as i havnt got mine running yet so i couldnt tell ya <.<..

Caskast

[Vision1000]

Also Vsion1000, "you bamf" what?

This guy obviously has a boss, and doesn't want him to notice their system or network lagging due to him running a private server on their companys server.

or he himself is the boss. But the sentence above sounds better. =)

[komig]

This guy obviously has a boss, and doesn't want him to notice their system or network lagging due to him running a private server on their companys server.

or he himself is the boss. But the sentence above sounds better. =)

Your are right with the first. But does a private server use more then 1 TB traffik a month?

[bigjohnson4]

Hosting a server doesn't take up much bandwidth. In a month hosting about 30 players, I only used 30GB out of my 1000GB limit, most of that was uploading/downloading server files, and I use that a lot since I develop my own core.

[cdsingleton]

i really need help setting up my wow server i am using a mangos hybris repack please email me or Instante message me at Denakor@hotmail(.)com

[Vindicated]

Facts:
1.) Emulators are not illegal, as reverse engineering is protected under US law (to a certain extent).
2.) When you use DBC files, map files, or use the World of Warcraft client is when you cross the line of the law, as you violate the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act).
3.) If you violate the ToS, you did nothing illegal, however, you can be sued in civil courts.
4.) Blizzard won't come after you unless you are making pretty big profits (Like WoWscape), and even then, your fine if you stop your private server.
5.) US law is US law. Many other countries, including European, have laws like the DMCA or stricter. However, third world countries do NOT and that is how you escape the law.