Digital Trends

Blizzard Entertainment and the Entertainment Software Association have agreed to drop lawsuits which halted online sales of a Florida gamer's guide to World of Warcraft.

Remember back when Brian Kopp of Bronson, Florida, found himself sued by Blizzard Entertainment, parent company Vivendi Universal, and the Entertainment Software Association for writing a 300-page guide to Blizzard's World of Warcraft online game and selling them online via eBay? The companies demanded eBay halt the auctions for violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DCMA). Kopp countersued, claiming his work did not infringe on the companies' copyrights and demanded his auctions be reinstated.

Well, sometimes little guys can stand up to big corporations...and win. Last week Blizzard Entertainment agreed to settle with Kopp, acknowledging his guide did not contain copyrighted material, text, or story lines. Blizzard, Veivendi, and the ESR have agreed to withdraw their complaints against Kopp within five days.

The guide clearly stated that he was not affiliated with Blizzard and that his guide was not official.

"We praise the companies' decision to allow our client to continue selling his unofficial guide and to fully honor the provisions of the DMCA," said Greg Beck, the Public Citizen attorney representing Kopp. "We urge other companies to follow this example and avoid terminating the auctions of eBay sellers who have filed counter notices in defense of their goods. We are alert to the widespread abuses of the DMCA process, and companies that continue to abuse the process do so at their own risk."