Video Game Cheat Lawsuit Lawyer
Defending Developers, Resellers, Software Engineers, and Businesses Accused of Selling Video Game Cheats
Has Your Cheat Software Business Been Sued?
Receiving a cease-and-desist letter or federal lawsuit from a major video game publisher can be overwhelming.
Large gaming companies have dramatically increased enforcement efforts against developers of:
- Aim bots
- ESP hacks
- Wallhacks
- Trigger bots
- Radar hacks
- Memory injectors
- DLL injectors
- Kernel drivers
- Mod menus
- Game overlays
- Cheat loaders
- Subscription cheat platforms
- HWID spoofers
- Unlock tools
- Cheat marketplaces
- Reseller networks
Many defendants are surprised to learn that these lawsuits are not limited to copyright infringement. Modern gaming litigation often includes multiple federal causes of action seeking injunctions, seizure of software, destruction of source code, statutory damages, and substantial attorney's fees.
At Vondran Legal®, we represent software developers, technology companies, programmers, entrepreneurs, and online businesses facing intellectual property disputes involving video game software.
Major Video Game Companies That Have Sued Cheat Developers
Not every publisher aggressively pursues cheat creators.
However, several companies have established reputations for filing lawsuits in federal court.
Activision
Games include:
- Call of Duty
- Warzone
- Modern Warfare
- Black Ops
Activision has become one of the industry's most aggressive anti-cheat litigants.
Its lawsuits have targeted companies selling:
- Aimbots
- ESP software
- Wallhacks
- Unlock tools
- Subscription cheat services
Legal theories have included:
- DMCA anti-circumvention
- Copyright infringement
- Tortious interference
- Civil RICO (in certain litigation)
- CFAA
- Contract claims
One high-profile lawsuit against EngineOwning resulted in a multimillion-dollar judgment after defendants stopped participating in the litigation.
Bungie
Developer of:
- Destiny
- Destiny 2
Bungie has become one of the industry's most active plaintiffs against cheat developers.
The company has pursued claims involving:
- Cheat subscriptions
- Reverse engineering
- Copyright infringement
- DMCA circumvention
- Contract violations
- Trademark claims
Bungie has also partnered with other publishers in joint enforcement actions.
Riot Games
Known for:
- Valorant
- League of Legends
Riot has aggressively pursued cheat distributors, particularly those targeting Valorant.
Because Valorant utilizes Riot's Vanguard anti-cheat system, litigation frequently centers on software designed to bypass detection mechanisms.
Riot has jointly sued cheat developers with Bungie seeking significant monetary damages.
Ubisoft
Known for:
- Rainbow Six Siege
- Assassin's Creed
- Far Cry
Ubisoft has brought lawsuits against companies distributing Rainbow Six Siege cheats, including joint actions with Bungie against Ring-1. Claims have included copyright infringement and related intellectual property violations.
Epic Games
Known for:
- Fortnite
- Unreal Engine
Epic has repeatedly demonstrated that it is willing to pursue cheat developers, cheat resellers, and even competitive players who violate tournament rules.
Recent lawsuits have targeted developers and distributors of Fortnite cheat software offering wallhacks and auto-aim features, alongside claims for damages and injunctions.
Other Companies Taking Legal Action
Depending upon the facts, enforcement efforts have also been undertaken by or associated with publishers including:
- Krafton (PUBG)
- Electronic Arts
- Take-Two Interactive
- Nintendo
- Tencent (through various anti-cheat initiatives)
Industry enforcement continues to expand as publishers invest heavily in competitive online gaming and esports.
Why Are Cheat Developers Being Sued?
Modern cheat software often does far more than alter gameplay.
Publishers frequently allege that cheat programs:
- Circumvent technological protection measures
- Modify protected game code
- Inject unauthorized software
- Copy protected portions of the game
- Interfere with anti-cheat technology
- Harm the gaming experience
- Damage goodwill
- Reduce player retention
- Increase customer support costs
- Encourage piracy
- Violate End User License Agreements (EULAs)
These allegations can form the basis for multiple overlapping legal claims.
Common Claims Found in Cheat Software Lawsuits
Depending upon the facts, complaints may include:
- Copyright infringement
- Contributory copyright infringement
- Vicarious infringement
- DMCA Section 1201 anti-circumvention
- Breach of contract
- Tortious interference
- Trademark infringement
- False designation of origin
- Unfair competition
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)
- State computer crime statutes
- Requests for permanent injunctions
Possible Defenses
Every case is different.
Potential defenses may include:
Lack of Copyright Infringement
Not every software interaction constitutes infringement.
Important questions include:
- Was any protected expression actually copied?
- Was any game code reproduced?
- Was there merely interoperability?
DMCA Issues
The plaintiff must establish the required elements for any anti-circumvention claim.
Questions often arise regarding:
- Access controls
- Technological protection measures
- Whether the software actually circumvents those protections
- The specific conduct of each defendant
Personal Jurisdiction
Many defendants reside outside the forum state—or even outside the United States.
Jurisdictional challenges may be available.
Contract Defenses
Many claims depend on Terms of Service or EULA provisions.
Questions include:
- Was the agreement enforceable?
- Who accepted it?
- Was the defendant actually bound?
Damages
Publishers often seek significant damages.
Those claims should be carefully analyzed.
Questions may include:
- Actual damages
- Lost profits
- Causation
- Statutory damages
- Apportionment
- Willfulness
We Represent Technology Clients
Our firm understands software disputes.
We have experience involving:
- Software licensing
- Copyright litigation
- DMCA claims
- Reverse engineering issues
- Source code disputes
- SaaS agreements
- Technology contracts
- Digital asset litigation
- Online platform disputes
- Intellectual property enforcement
Early Intervention Matters
If you have received:
- A cease-and-desist letter
- A DMCA demand
- A subpoena
- A preservation notice
- A federal complaint
do not ignore it.
Early legal intervention may help preserve defenses, reduce potential exposure, and create opportunities for negotiation before litigation expenses escalate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is creating cheat software always illegal?
Not necessarily. Whether a particular program creates civil liability depends on the software's functionality, how it interacts with the game, applicable contracts, copyright and DMCA law, and the specific facts of the case.
Can I be sued even if I never sold the software?
Possibly. Plaintiffs sometimes assert claims against developers, distributors, resellers, marketers, moderators, and others alleged to have participated in the distribution of cheat software.
Can publishers seek injunctions?
Yes. Many lawsuits request temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, permanent injunctions, destruction of software, and other equitable relief.
Can I settle before trial?
Many intellectual property disputes resolve through negotiated settlements, but the best strategy depends on the strength of the claims, available defenses, and your business objectives.
Contact an Experienced Video Game Litigation Attorney
If you have received a demand letter or have been sued by Activision, Bungie, Riot Games, Epic Games, Ubisoft, or another game publisher over alleged cheat software, hack tools, or anti-cheat circumvention, experienced legal counsel can help you evaluate the claims and develop an appropriate response.
Vondran Legal® represents clients nationwide in intellectual property and technology litigation, including copyright, DMCA, software licensing, and digital enforcement matters.
Schedule a confidential consultation today to discuss your options.
