This week we learn that some members of Congress aren’t on board with SOPA, social game cheaters are really cheaters and we give you one more reason not to pirate games.
EA Claims First Amendment Protections For Battlefield 3 Helicopters
Battlefield 3 is based on an entirely fictitious conflict but it does feature numerous real-world elements, including three aircraft that may be familiar to military aficionados: the Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter, the Bell UH-1Y Venom[Super Huey] helicopter and the V-22 Ospreytransport aircraft. That’s apparently a bit of a problem for Textron, the parent company of Bell Helicopter, which until recently was in discussions with EA over the unlicensed use of the aircraft in Battlefield 3. When those talks broke down, EA filed a motion in the federal court for the Northern District of California seeking a ruling that it has a First Amendment right to use real-life military helicopters in videogames without the manufacturer’s permission. (Link)
Wisconsin Congressman Steps Up to Oppose SOPA
Since its inception in October of 2011, the Stop Online Piracy Act has continued to rise in unpopularity. While the potentially internet-shattering bill does have some supporters, such as the Electronic Software Association, organizations like the Electronic Consumers Association have dedicated resources to fighting against the bill and several of the ESA’s own members have come out to voice their disapproval of the legislation. Now, Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan has stepped up to join several other government officials standing in opposition to SOPA. (Link)
Social Game Cheaters More Likely To Be Real World Cheaters Too
Does this really come as a surprise to anyone? A recent survey of social gamers in the U.S. and U.K. conducted by PopCap found that the vast majority of gamers don’t use hacks, bots or other cheats while they play social videogames, but among those who do, the tendency to cheat in other aspects of life – “real life,” you might call it – is much higher than it is in people who play by the rules. PopCap used 1201 “qualified responses,” 801 from the U.S. and 400 from the U.K., from people who play social videogames for more than 15 minutes per week.
(Link)
Anti-Virus Company Sued for Scare Tactics
We’ve all seen the messages pop up on our screen. “Malware detected!” “Your computer is infected!” “Download this software now or cybercriminals will invade your privacy, steal your identity and obliterate your soul!” These are the tactics of third-rate scams, designed to have you click on them and – ironically – install viruses and malware on your machine, but I’ve always wondered how somewhat “trusted” antivirus companies like Symantec and McAfee got away with using similar methods. A new lawsuit alleges Symantec’s Norton Antivirus performs scans that don’t actually scan your computer but still warn of non-existent dangers in order to get you to pay $29.99 to upgrade. Further, the plaintiff James Gross contends that even if you pay the fee, Symentec’s applications don’t really do anything to help your computer at all. (Link)
Malware Masquerades As Fake Game Crack
You may want to think twice before you pirate your next PC game, because it turns out that a cracked code being distributed actually contains a rootkit that could do some serious damage to your computer. Malware research group GFI Software, has just revealed that it’s discovered such a case, and the fake cracking software houses a pretty nasty program. (Link)
