Activision has just been awarded a large sum of money in a lawsuit it’s been fighting against cheat maker EngineOwning since 2022. In a court ruling this week, District Judge Michael Fitzgerald ordered EngineOwning to pay Activision $14,465,600 in damage for making and distributing cheats for Call of Duty. EngineOwning makes and distributes cheat software for plenty of online shooters, Call of Duty just happens to be one of them.
Activision initially sued the company over two years ago. In the lawsuit, it noted that distributing these cheats hurts Activision’s player base, and violates the company’s terms of service for Call of Duty. It says that EngineOwning “knowingly continued its activities” with the knowledge that it was violating Activision’s terms.
Activision has been battling cheaters and cheat makers for a while now. Over the past few years, it has stepped up its anti-cheat mitigation with numerous changes to the anti-cheat software. Some of the more notable mitigations included causing cheaters to immediately freefall without a parachute when dropping into the map in Warzone. Resulting in an instant down. Another mitigation would make legitimate players invincible to cheaters, while yet another made them invisible so cheaters couldn’t see them.
Activision’s battle with cheaters through the anti-cheat software can only go so far though. In comparison, its battle in the courts might provide a more lasting solution.
Activision gets more than money in the cheat lawsuit
While $14.5 million in damages is likely a big blow to EngineOwning, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. According to the ruling order, EngineOwning also has to turn over the website to Activision. It must also stop making and selling the cheat software, in addition to paying another $292,912 in attorney fees to Activision for its case costs.
In short, it doesn’t look good for EngineOwning. The court filing names EngineOwning and numerous defendants in the case, including the company’s founders Valentin Rick and Leon Risch.
EngineOwning was ordered to pay $3 million in damages last year
As reported by IGN, this isn’t the first time EngineOwning was ordered to pay Activision money. The courts ruled in 2023 that it had to pay Activision $3 million in damages for the same reason. The development and distribution of cheat software. However, the company continued to make cheats after that ruling which led Activision to pursue further action.
2024-06-01 15:07:19