Archon Add-on violates terms of service

[Kozzae-doomhammer (Kozzae)]

@Kaivax

If you are an add-on developer and have any questions about and this User Interface Add-On Development Policy and how it pertains to the add-on that you’ve developed, please don’t hesitate to email us at WoWUI@blizzard.com.

Email your report.

[Ayukama-frostmourne]

@Lùná-stormreaver

I talk about a legit topic issue.

And people here have told you in order on what to do. Customer Support can’t do anything to speed up the process of the reports, nor can make an addon just automatically disappear.

People have reported you, because they, including myself, feel that you were breaching the Forum Code of Conduct. People aren’t trying to be your enemy, people are trying to tell you, a thread isn’t going to help do anything, and the best option is to just report the addon, and let Blizzard investigate.

Because the decision on whether if the Addon is breaching the Terms of Service doesn’t come down to us, it comes to Blizzard.

[Mirasol-mannoroth (Mirasol)]

@Lemonshark-dalaran

they also have clearly stated that it will becoming out for free after testing is completed. they use their patreons to test all their new stuff.

Any addon that charges for any reason is against the rules.

@Melaesia-proudmoore

This is not breaking the rules. The add-on is in a beta test mode, and as most places do these days, they are letting their subscribers test it first. When the add-on goes live, they are not charging for it.

Yeah, that is breaking the rules. The rules don’t say "only the version labeled “release” has to be free. ANY use of Blizzard’s API for addons needs to be free to all players.

@Lùná-stormreaver

1. Add-ons must be free of charge.
   All add-ons must be distributed free of charge. Developers may not create “premium” versions of add-ons with additional for-pay features, charge money to download an add-on, charge for services related to the add-on, or otherwise require some form of monetary compensation to download or access an add-on.

Charging people on Patreon to “test it” is charging for it.

All add-ons must be distributed free of charge.

THIS!

Blizzard’s lawyers are the ones who really have the final word though. They will either send a C&D, or the Devs can break the addon.

No amount of back and forth here is productive. It won’t reach legal any faster, the CS folks can’t do anything about it, and it only serves to “advertise” the addon in a way. Even negative publicity can be good for business.

[Lùná-stormreaver]

This was probably the best response in here. @Mirasol

I won’t say much probably get flagged again. Just mind blowing people actually defend this crap.

[Zenjy-nesingwary]

@Mirasol-mannoroth

ANY use of Blizzard’s API for addons needs to be free to all players.

Q: Where in the rules it’s related to add-ons in bata testing? I’d think testing among friends and such would be along the lines.

[Mirasol-mannoroth (Mirasol)]

@Lùná-stormreaver

Just mind blowing people actually defend this crap.

NOBODY is defending it. Most of the people here are lawful good alignment so to speak. They don’t approve of it, would be happy if the lawyers took it on and sent C&Ds to anyone trying it.

What they are telling you is that THIS is not the place to have this discussion. They are not telling you that you are wrong. Just that you are in the wrong place.

“Fox, this is a Wendy’s” sort of meme.

[Mirasol-mannoroth (Mirasol)]

@Zenjy-nesingwary

Q: Where in the rules it’s related to add-ons in bata testing? I’d think testing among friends and such would be along the lines.

FOR FREE sure. The addons can not be charged for period. Not at all. Never. Not in any phase of development. If someone is working on something privately with friends who have free access that is one thing.

If people can join their group via paid methods to get access, then that is a paid version. Being Alpha or Beta does not matter. You can’t charge money for addon access period.

It is a very good way to get on the radar of Blizzard’s lawyers in a bad way.

There is no exception to the rules just because something is being called Beta or Alpha that allows them to charge for access.

The rules were already linked in the beginning of the thread.

UI Add-On Development Policy

7/15/2009 Music Distribution through UI Add-Ons We have recently seen a number of User Interface Add-Ons that are making modifications to the World of Warcraft in-game music files and wanted to take a moment to go over some important points with the community in connection with this. While we are currently allowing Add-Ons that remove or replace existing sound files, keep in mind that it is illegal to distribute copyrighted materials, in this case in-game music and audio files, without authori…

[Ayukama-frostmourne]

I have been telling you, report it, and let Blizzard deal with it. I have not in by no means defending the addon. I’ve been simply stating, a thread is not going to help speed up the process of Blizzard dealing with it.

[Draug-shattered-hand (Draug)]

So WoWUI@blizzard.com is the proper place to report this addon for violating multiple rules (I believe it breaks the spirit of rule #3 in addition to the obvious breaking of rule 1)?

[Jhdeath-azuresong]

Did you just realize how Patreon works?

Tons of players & streamers have their UI’s and configs hidden behind a Patreon paywall. It’s not breaking any TOS, it’s a loophole if anything.

[Mirasol-mannoroth (Mirasol)]

@Jhdeath-azuresong

hidden behind a Patreon paywall

1. Add-ons must be free of charge.
   All add-ons must be distributed free of charge. Developers may not create “premium” versions of add-ons with additional for-pay features, charge money to download an add-on, charge for services related to the add-on, or otherwise require some form of monetary compensation to download or access an add-on.

2. Add-ons may not solicit donations.
   Add-ons may not include requests for donations. We recognize the immense amount of effort and resources that go into developing an add-on; however, such requests should be limited to the add-on website or distribution site and should not appear in the game.

If money is required to download or access the addon in any way, then it is against the Policy for addons and subject to legal action by Blizzard if they decide to go that route.