Target of Epic's Fortnite cheating lawsuit is apparently only 14

4.4
Just about every game company hates cheaters, but they are a fact of life. Some have taken the extraordinary measure of filing suit against the alleged perpetrators, such as Epic Games did last month against two users of cheat software in its Fortnite game. Unfortunately for Epic, that has raised the ire of the mom of one of the defendants.

You see, the poor cheater is only 14.

In a letter about the lawsuit filed with the North Carolina U.S. District Court, she took issue with several of Epic's claims. The first is that minors are not supposed to be able to play the game without parental consent, something she apparently did not give. She also said that the suit is based on lost profits, but if the game is free-to-play, Epic would need to prove that her son's cheating actually provided a massive loss as the suit alleges. And it appears that since Epic identified her son by name, and he is a minor; the company violated Delaware law related to the release of information on minors.

She takes issue with Epic using her son as a scapegoat, when the company should really be going after the cheat makers. She alleges that her son could not have modified the game on his own.

The naughty youngster - we aren't identifying the lad because of his age, even though his name is out there - apparently downloaded some aimbot cheats from a site called Addicted Cheats. The move didn't sit well with Epic, especially once the teen started streaming his matches using the cheats, broadcasting what he was using, and then asking for donations. Mom said the poor boy generated no income from the streams.

Epic said that the video is the big issue, as once the company had the video taken down via DMCA claim, the boy then filed a counterclaim. An Epic spokesman stood by its claim, telling Kotaku:

This particular lawsuit arose as a result of the defendant filing a DMCA counterclaim to a takedown notice on a YouTube video that exposed and promoted Fortnite Battle Royale cheats and exploits. Under these circumstances, the law requires that we file suit or drop the claim. Epic is not okay with ongoing cheating or copyright infringement from anyone at any age. As stated previously, we take cheating seriously, and we'll pursue all available options to make sure our games are fun, fair, and competitive for players."


Posted:
Related Forum: Gaming Discussion

Source: https://www.neowin.net/news/target-of-epics-fortnite-cheating-lawsuit-is-apparently-only-14

Comments

"Target of Epic's Fortnite cheating lawsuit is apparently only 14" :: Login/Create an Account :: 15 comments

If you would like to post a comment please signin to your account or register for an account.

JxssePosted:

Cheaters are cheaters tbh.
He was old enough to know what he was doing to be fair..

TOXICPosted:

Hate all these cheaters, like get a life ffs. good game however, just a shame its spoiled by people cheating.

322Posted:

ODST The biggest issue here is that the boy went on to Twitch and streamed the cheats to others viewing the game. He ruined the game for those watching and not wanting to play against cheaters as well as generated revenue from his stream via donations (Yes I know the mom said there was no donations but we're supposed to believe the mom who didn't even know the game existed?). Epic should go after the boy for ruining the games image but that's about all they've got on him besides the actual cheats.


You are kidding right? this kid would have made no money from donation. Who is going to donate to a no name 14 year old using cheats on twitch. Its not like if you stream you automatically get donations. This lawsuit is a joke on every level. What are they gonna sue the kid for 20 dollars? There is no way they can prove real loss of revenue. The only way they could is if when the boy was streaming if the player count for the game had a dramatic drop which even then would be hard to relate to the kid streaming.

The only reason they are suing the kid is for the DMCA claim.

ODSTPosted:

The biggest issue here is that the boy went on to Twitch and streamed the cheats to others viewing the game. He ruined the game for those watching and not wanting to play against cheaters as well as generated revenue from his stream via donations (Yes I know the mom said there was no donations but we're supposed to believe the mom who didn't even know the game existed?). Epic should go after the boy for ruining the games image but that's about all they've got on him besides the actual cheats.

That1kidv2Posted:

To everyone saying he's gonna cheat in real life... lmao you guys are stupid. I used to hack cod4, waw, and MW2. I do not cheat at life? Lolol it's a video game lighten up

lbreadsticklPosted:

Occasive
lbreadstickl Although epic screwed that up a bit, I take more issue with how the mom seems to be defending the "poor boy" cheating. He will only get worse now, probably cheats in the classroom as well


Jesus its a video game relax. He's 14 that wanted the advantage

That's why I take more issue that he's pretty much being defended for cheating. What do you'll think he will end up doing in real life on things that matter? Lol I don't care that he did it, just that someone's defending his actions. Gonna give him the wrong idea.

junoPosted:

I wouldn't think they would take it that far, but I mean no one wants cheaters in the games either.

KurthyPosted:

Does anyone even pay for this garbage game?

RuiPosted:

The funny thing is Epic will be able to take the thing further as it proves she leaves her son 14 un-supervised on a computer/Web based programs, yes epic have made a simple mistake which will be squashed easily, however The parent & Child will till be used as an example and i also can see further actions taken to prove epics point of it's no modding motto.

OccasivePosted:

lbreadstickl Although epic screwed that up a bit, I take more issue with how the mom seems to be defending the "poor boy" cheating. He will only get worse now, probably cheats in the classroom as well


Jesus its a video game relax. He's 14 that wanted the advantage