Is running a public offline server illegal?

Hello,

I can't find the answer to this question anywhere. Notch gave the feature in the properties file so it should be legal but it is playing the game without paying? I would appreciate if anyone can help.

Thanks

Its not really illegal. You would allow for people to use cracked clients. People that didn't pay for the game.

legal.
Although bukkit does not support it.

Not technically "Legal" or "Illegal" it is kinda in the grey line.
If (for example) you are hosting a server for people who did not buy the game, You will definitely be in trouble.
Because you are hosting a server for people who pirate games and offer no money to the people who developed them.
The Users who have pirated the game is technically Illegal.
Hosting a server is ultimately your responsibility and If something goes wrong you (Still as an example) will definitely pay for it. And you will be held responsible for it.

It is legal, but logging into your server via a pirated client is illegal.

You guys are all wrong!!!!!
It is illegal, you will be serving 15 years of prison, hard-time. Depending how much RAM and time you dedicate to your server it can be extended... Here is a little info-table showing you the offenses.
- 15 Years - Default
- 16 - 20 Years - 1.5GB RAM and have had your server up for more than 1 month.
- 21 - 30 - Years - 2.5GB RAM and have had your server up for atleast 4 months.
- 31 - Life - Years/Life - 4GB - 12GB Ram and have had your server up for 12 months.
---End---
Above 12 GB RAM would quite obviously give you Life... which I sadly don't exactly approve of.


Anyways, I recommend keeping your server away from cracked people otherwise your getting a very rough life ahead of you, if you get caught that is... Which the catching rate is around 1/5 people get caught.


So make sure your server is Publicly Online.

Sentence depending on how much ram you are using?
Isn't it about how many people you are hosting?

Where did you get this info I would like to read it?

Correct, and for how many people you are hosting, no. Its all about RAM cuz RAM is an FBI territorial internatial coverage data-unit that is used for many other things such as FBI riot-shields.

Read... and weep!

---____---

I think the fact that there is an option in server.properties to enable it is a pretty clear answer.

It's not illegal for you to toggle the option that Mojang gives you, it's illegal to play the game without purchasing it.

The practical answer is that no one is ever going to take legal action against you (especially since it would tend to be international legal action) for putting your server in offline mode, but people will chastise you for it here.

I will be filing many law-suits this day.

I am part of the FBI contribution immersivary attributarily ammulition of the US and will use my team against you. Stay classy Bukkit..Trolls.

This is the internet, the last time I remember the "F.B.I"has not jurisdiction here. nor will they care unless the users are in American soil. otherwise Id talk to "Anonymous" there the head hancho.

Well, technically... I am part of Troll-arch.

Your part of alot of things arnt you? ^_^
I remember back in the day when the word "Troll" accentually represents this.

It still does, kind sir. I am a liar of many.

Ok thanks I am not sure if I should allow offline mode in my server hosting business. I may just put a bit in the TOS about it's your own responsibility. Thanks

Right... back to the law-suits. Lets help the person who created this topic get in prison guise.. o wait.