Bungie is waging a fierce battle against hacks and cheats in Destiny 2. A tough opponent is AimJunkies. The process was actually already won, and Bungie was awarded over 4 million euros. However, the cheat manufacturer and seller is unwilling to accept this.
That’s why AimJunkies is a tough opponent: Bungie has made it its mission to make the gaming experience fair for all honest players and therefore directly tackles the spread of hacks and cheats in Destiny 2 at the root.
AimJunkies was one of the more well-known names on Bungie’s list of cheat providers and specialized in the development and sale of prohibited tools to Destiny 2 players.
However, the path to the ruling in favor of Bungie was long. The proceedings began at the end of 2021. Since then, AimJunkies has tried everything to fend off the developer’s lawsuit by any means necessary.
- Initially, AimJunkies delayed the proceedings by claiming that Bungie’s hard approach was a “too harsh practice” and they felt unfairly treated.
- Then, AimJunkies requested a dismissal of the lawsuit, arguing that cheating and offering cheats do not ultimately violate the law.
- And they claimed cheating doesn’t harm Destiny 2, as player numbers have actually increased.
After endless back and forth, an arbitration ruling came out in favor of Bungie.
AimJunkies was fined over 4 million euros for serious violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”). This includes about 3 million euros in damages. The rest is for fees.
However, the cheat manufacturer does not want to give up and refuses to pay the 3 million euros in damages. They are resuming the fight against Bungie.
Ruling bans lucrative business with hacks and cheats
This is what AimJunkies demands in its appeal: After the presiding judge dismissed a motion in the arbitration proceedings last month, thereby affirming the arbitration court’s decision in favor of Bungie, AimJunkies is now launching the next counter-offensive.
- The cheat provider has filed an appeal against both the damage claim of over 3 million euros and the associated injunction.
In the arbitration ruling against AimJunkies, Bungie’s claim for damages is primarily based on violations of the DMCA for circumventing the developer’s technical protections. AimJunkies initially wanted to defend itself directly against the arbitration ruling, which the presiding judge rejected. So now the appeal against the judgment.
AimJunkies’ appeal also targets the violation of the Anti-Circumvention Act. Because this prohibits the defendant from trading in “circumvention tools” in the future. In other words: the sale and distribution of cheats.
- If the judgment stands, AimJunkies would be prohibited from developing and distributing similar hacks and cheats in the future, thereby ending the lucrative business.
When can one expect a final decision? AimJunkies still has to file its appeal in writing with the appellate court. They have until October 2023 to do so. A decision could still come this year.
However, the other ongoing proceedings in this process are also not concluded, and AimJunkies is fighting on multiple fronts.
- Including Bungie’s lawsuit for copyright and trademark infringement.
- As well as the countersuit in which James May, a third-party cheat developer, accuses Bungie of “hacking”, theft, and violation of the DMCA.
Destiny 2 and its developer are facing another legal challenge, while Aimjunkies is determined to fight for its existence and the future of cheat trading.
Besides software, hardware cheats are a problem: In addition, Bungie must also fight against hardware cheats, as these are too easily obtainable and obviously hard to detect. However, in April 2023, they also announced future measures against it.
What do you think about the current conflict between Bungie and AimJunkies? Do you believe the appeal has a chance of success? Feel free to leave your opinion on this in the comments.
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