Blizzard is banning commercial add-ons for WoW starting May 19

As of May 19, it will be illegal to ask for money for add-ons for the mmog World of Warcraft, developer Blizzard Entertainment says. The source code of add-ons must also be accessible to everyone from that date.

Blizzard Entertainment announced a month ago that the company is going prohibit that money is being demanded for add-ons for the mmog World of Warcraft. Meanwhile, the developer has the date announced when the new policy will be introduced. From May 19, Blizzard will check whether add-ons are charged for money. Anyone who asks for money after that date will be “immediately approached” by Blizzard.

The publisher does not make clear how offenders will be dealt with. The new rules not only prohibit the sale of add-ons, but also prohibit the display of advertisements or requests for voluntary donations in the game. Voluntary donations may be requested on the site where an add-on is offered. Another requirement that Blizzard sets is that the source code of each add-on is made transparent.

A number of well-known programmers have already announced that they will stop developing add-ons for WoW. For example, the creator of the popular QuestHelper will no longer have its add-on Updating. Also the creator of Outfitter stops with its activities. The people behind Carbonite select on the other hand for another way, they offer their add-on for free from now on.

Blizzard also acted against a programmer in 2008; the publisher then took Michael Donnelly and his company MDY to court. Donnelly created the Glider bot, which automated World of Warcraft gameplay and took control of the mmog from the player. The judge ruled in Blizzard’s favor and banned this bot.