People were selling XIV registration codes?

So this was a thing? People selling XIV registration codes?

It was just posted today on lodestone

Quote:

---

03/24/2016 1:00 PM
[Important] Prohibition on the Unauthorized Resale of FINAL FANTASY XIV Registration Codes

---

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...c2fd1b14bcf06f

It probably refers to serial key reselling sites like g2a etc.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MugenMugetsu

snip

---

This applies to Steam codes sold upon activating the game, and grabbing the CD key from here I believe.

http://i.imgur.com/X71D1nC.jpg

I might be incorrect, but the key is likely tied to your Steam account, meaning that if someone purchased that key they'd be unable to purchase expansion packs unless they got another key from the same person, even if they were to buy the expansion off Steam from their own account. I saw a Reddit thread about that not too long ago, they were able to pay through the Steam wallet so their account was a Steam based one, but after they bought Heavensward off Steam the key didn't register.

I assume this does not apply in the EU, where it is legal to sell property you own (the right to use the unused serial number to obtain a game, not the right to use the service). Unless there is a special clause somewhere.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Culfinrandir

I assume this does not apply in the EU, where it is legal to sell property you own (the right to use the unused serial number to obtain a game, not the right to use the service). Unless there is a special clause somewhere.

---

Well. It's legal to sell property you own in the US too....
but
I'm pretty sure this is for all regions.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Culfinrandir

I assume this does not apply in the EU, where it is legal to sell property you own (the right to use the unused serial number to obtain a game, not the right to use the service). Unless there is a special clause somewhere.

---

It posted on EU lodestone also

http://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...1abd1e7ad7856b

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lexia

It posted on EU lodestone also

http://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...1abd1e7ad7856b

---

I noticed that too. I did check & an EU citizen has a legal right to sell unused serial numbers for software (it was confirmed, I believe, busy the highest court). I guess it's like many other EULAs & has many unenforceable elements.

I think their train of thought is preventing the selling of codes that are effectively duplicates where you get the working software as well as a code (like Steam). In these cases your code is tied to the same purchase so you wouldn't be able to sell it & rely on the rights I described above.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AskaRay

Well. It's legal to sell property you own in the US too....
but
I'm pretty sure this is for all regions.

---

I'm sure it is because the buyer will be forced to buy from the same seller again to buy the expansion

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Colorful

This applies to Steam codes sold upon activating the game, and grabbing the CD key from here I believe.

http://i.imgur.com/X71D1nC.jpg

I might be incorrect, but the key is likely tied to your Steam account, meaning that if someone purchased that key they'd be unable to purchase expansion packs unless they got another key from the same person, even if they were to buy the expansion off Steam from their own account. I saw a Reddit thread about that not too long ago, they were able to pay through the Steam wallet so their account was a Steam based one, but after they bought Heavensward off Steam the key didn't register.

---

Correct me if I'm wrong but it's resale of a registration code basically selling an account?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Culfinrandir

I assume this does not apply in the EU, where it is legal to sell property you own (the right to use the unused serial number to obtain a game, not the right to use the service). Unless there is a special clause somewhere.

---

Thing is, games aren't property you own. What you're buying is a licence to use the software, not the software itself, and said license is non-transferable.

^ bingo

all the games you 'buy' on Steam etc etc, it's only access, you don't legally in the words of their T&C's actually own them, so resale is illegal.

There are certain websites where you can buy steam keys for half the price or less of a full priced game. I'm not surprised, they'd rather have someone paying full price rather than that person paying someone else half.

Yes people resell for way cheaper and people also buy and sell accounts. It's all part of RMT.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jacost

Thing is, games aren't property you own. What you're buying is a licence to use the software, not the software itself, and said license is non-transferable.

---

It was fought in some EU courts and the courts ruled in favor of the licensee (IE. the consumer). In America however, it's still considered the as you said.

I'm fairly sure this isn't to do with players selling keys to other players, but rather criminals getting hold of keys illegally and reselling them. This is a popular strategy used by RMT to fund their operations. Stolen credit card info is used to purchase keys and then resell them dirt cheap (since they effectively cost nothing in the first place). When the owner of the card disputes the charges the keys end up being rendered void and the associated accounts banned.

ESO went through this exact same problem at one point. SquareEnix's stance in this case is the only logical one to take; if you buy a key from a reseller you do so at your own risk in the knowledge that you may be buying a fraudulent key and your account may be banned. Judging by posts on reddit lately there was a ban wave for fraudulently obtained keys that happened alongside this announcement.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alberel

Judging by posts on reddit lately there was a ban wave for fraudulently obtained keys that happened alongside this announcement.

---

Just to touch on this brief point to add some clarification. The change that was announced is related to the new registration of Steam codes that were sold by unauthourized sellers, and this change would prevent registration of those codes. Codes that were registered prior to the change would not be impacted by this change.

LGM Enkrateia

So there was like kinda bugish steam codes exploit, so people could register a fake key.
Maybe?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Losstarot

So there was like kinda bugish steam codes exploit, so people could register a fake key.
Maybe?

---

I can understand that the reasons for this may not be clear, which is causing a bit of confusion. Registration of a fake key was not a concern that this change sought to address. One of the main points of concern that we did wish to assist with is the potential for the keys being bought from unauthourized sellers having been obtained illicitly or through fraud. This could allow a customer to register and play the game, only to lose the account when the fraud related to the code was caught. Or the customer could be sold an invalid code that would not work or had already been used. By ensuring that these codes are only being purchased through authourized sellers, this reduces the risk by our customers related to a third party neither side has any control of.

LGM Enkrateia

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jacost

Thing is, games aren't property you own. What you're buying is a licence to use the software, not the software itself, and said license is non-transferable.

---

Not in the EU, like I said, most of what is contained in EULAs, like Microsoft's "we only licence you to use this etc" has been found to be unenforceable & illegal under EU Law. The USA is completely different as I understand it because they're far more "business first" orientated than the EU which tends to be "people first". That's not meant to demean the US in *any* way, it's just how the legislature works.