Epic Games Files Lawsuit Against Fortnite Cheat Creator

Epic Games Takes Legal Action Against Fortnite Cheat Maker

Recently, Epic Games initiated a lawsuit in the U. S.District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina against Ediz Atas, also recognized by his aliases Sincey Cheats and Vanta Cheats, for allegedly developing cheat software for Fortnite.

Allegations of Cheating and Unfair Advantage

Epic Games asserts that Atas has profited from the creation and distribution of Fortnite cheating software since at least January 2023. This software purportedly provides users with an unfair competitive edge over players who abide by the game’s rules, thereby violating the game’s End User License Agreement (EULA).The company further argues that rampant cheating not only disrupts gameplay but also threatens to alienate legitimate players, which could ultimately lead to diminished sales of in-game items like season passes and cosmetic upgrades.

Impact on Player Experience

As a result of the cheating activities tied to Sincey Cheats, Epic Games has reportedly had to implement bans on tens of thousands of Fortnite accounts, with over 15, 000 in the United States alone. This level of intervention highlights the serious concern over the integrity of the game and the user experience for fair players.

Impersonation and Copyright Claims

The lawsuit also reveals that After Epic filed DMCA takedown notices to remove content related to the cheating software on YouTube, Sincey Cheats allegedly attempted to mislead YouTube’s copyright agent. They reportedly sent several emails pretending to represent Epic Games, falsely claiming the company wanted to “formally reverse its claim of copyright infringement.”Evidence of this impersonation can be viewed here.

Additional Defendants and Legal Demands

In addition to Atas, the lawsuit identifies five unnamed individuals who have been reselling the cheating software through various platforms. Epic Games is seeking compensatory damages, statutory damages, and coverage for attorney fees, further emphasizing the seriousness of their stance against counterfeit gaming practices.

Industry Implications and Precedents

This lawsuit is not an isolated incident; the gaming industry has witnessed similar legal actions in recent years. Notably, Bungie has successfully filed lawsuits against cheat makers for their game Destiny 2, winning substantial financial settlements against companies like LaviCheats and AimJunkies. Whether these legal outcomes will deter cheat creators remains uncertain, but they signal a growing resolve among game developers to protect their intellectual property and maintain fair gaming conditions.

For further details, you can read more about the case in the full article here.