letter to Sony Online Entertainment - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

aa1037 · 01-13-2005, 09:51 AM

ok so I went to sell some EQ2 stuff on eBay because it appears that, due to the numerous auctions listed there, it is ok. here is my story, in letter form that I sent to SOE. what's your take?

Quote:

To Whom It May Concern,

I had an eBay auction removed by the VeRO program (8159612107 Everquest 2 II package - DVDs, account, gold, and MORE!) on January 8, 2004, after having multiple bids placed on it, because “an intellectual property rights owner notified [eBay], under penalty of perjury, that [my] listing offers a copyrighted item in violation of a license.” I was also instructed that “if [I] believe [my] listing was ended in error, or have questions regarding the removal of this listing, please contact the intellectual property rights owner” at Sony Online Entertainment. I responded the same day, asking why my auction had been chosen for removal while so many others remained, and have yet to receive a reply from license@soe.sony.com.

As a paying customer to SOE for many years, I am extremely dissatisfied with the conflict resolution in regards to intellectual property that has been executed in this case. Firstly, I disagree with your definition of intellectual property. Once time and money has been spent on an account, acquiring in-game wealth, notoriety, and power (levels), that account and its related characters, while still a part of the intellectual property that is the entire game, should be a sellable item by its player. No one at SOE plays a part in the development of a character or account besides hosting the environment in which it matures.

Secondly, I disagree with your choice to remove auctions on eBay that appear to violate your definition of intellectual property. Allowing a player to sell an account fosters the continued growth and longevity of your product. Now, instead of selling an account in a game that I am no longer playing, I will most likely not do anything with it at all, and it will sit dormant on your servers without a paying player ever again.

Lastly, I am quite concerned with the apparent dichotomy and arbitrary enforcement that occurs on eBay due to your requests. The VeRO program allows eBay to remove violating auctions on request from an intellectual property rights owner. However, there are nine pages of listings with Everquest in their title, most of which are selling accounts, in-game currency, unlicensed strategy guides, and/or power-leveling services.

This is not meant to be a mindless rant. I am wholly concerned with the very foundation of what the players of your games own and are entitled to. It is asinine for me to expect a change in your policy due to one letter, or to expect an allowance to sell my account on eBay. However, I hope that my concerns and the growing concerns of your community will lead you to reconsider your policies on the ownership of virtual and actual entities that emanate from your products.

Sincerely,
[aa1037]

how does the letter sound, etc?

Church · 01-13-2005, 11:06 AM

I think its a well written letter, I just would have left the following part out...

"Now, instead of selling an account in a game that I am no longer playing, I will most likely not do anything with it at all, and it will sit dormant on your servers without a paying player ever again."

This is actually in their favour more than yours. Where is the profit for them if you decided to sell it instead of the potential new customer purchasing the game and then -also- paying for an account?

Other than that, it looks get me. Keep us updated on what happens!

aa1037 · 01-13-2005, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Church

I think its a well written letter, I just would have left the following part out...

"Now, instead of selling an account in a game that I am no longer playing, I will most likely not do anything with it at all, and it will sit dormant on your servers without a paying player ever again."

This is actually in their favour more than yours. Where is the profit for them if you decided to sell it instead of the potential new customer purchasing the game and then -also- paying for an account?

Other than that, it looks get me. Keep us updated on what happens!

I suppose the draw for some players would be buying a pre-played account to avoid early level drudgery? I dunno, but I'll keep you updated!

01-13-2005, 11:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Church Tilted F*ckhead Location: New Jersey	I think its a well written letter, I just would have left the following part out... "Now, instead of selling an account in a game that I am no longer playing, I will most likely not do anything with it at all, and it will sit dormant on your servers without a paying player ever again." This is actually in their favour more than yours. Where is the profit for them if you decided to sell it instead of the potential new customer purchasing the game and then -also- paying for an account? Other than that, it looks get me. Keep us updated on what happens! __________________ Through counter-intelligence, it should be possible to pinpoint potential trouble makers, and neutralize them.