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THE DIAMOND SLEDGEHAMMER - Mojang's EULA changes and confusion.

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Cool_Time22
Level 28 : Expert Scribe
28
Hi, guys. Many of you have heard of Mojang's EULA changes from many sources - Mojang itself, PMC itself, servers getting rid of some donor perks - but today, I'm going to try and settle some of the dust by looking directly at Mojang's blog post about the changes. I'll also be discussing what servers can and cannot monetise, as well as the ratifications of the changes regarding players and servers. So, what did Mojang tell us?

Well, Mojang told us in their blog post that legally, you're not allowed to use Minecraft to make money except for two excepions - Minecraft videos and Minecraft servers. Mojang knows that server development, hosting, and upkeep can be hard and expensive, and they want to let server owners cover their hosting fees. However, they also told us that some more... malicious server owners cannot use server perks to exploit players. ( This applies to pay-to-win type dealios, such as PvP kits and using real money to buy diamonds, or stuff like that. ) But this line is pretty hazy... when does "perk" turn into "extortion?"

Here's a list of things you can charge for and a bit of clarity for each item.
TICKETS ( but no more than one )
You are allowed to charge access for your server... however, this access fee must be consistent among all players and you cannot seperate a playerbase into paying customers and non-paying. This means you need a seperate server for VIP lounges and you cannot charge for exclusive access to a minigame. If you do charge players access to a server, then all rates must be equal among all members of the server.
NOTHING
You're allowed to accept literal, bona fide donations as long as you aren't restricting any gameplay access to those who don't pay up. If someone isn't allowed to mine diamonds unless they're VIP, that's gonna be illegal in August. However, if they want to support the server and don't want anything in return, that's totally okay! You can thank them wherever you like. Meatspace, cyberspace, blockspace, outer space.
ADVERTISEMENTS ARE OKAY WE GUESS
Yes, that's right - you're allowed to put ads on your server. As long as it's not alluding to any sort of premium content - for example, "buy a Whopper to get diamond armor!" - then it's perfectly fine.
INGAME ITEMS SOMETIMES
BUT COOL YOU LIED TO US YOU SAID WE CAN'T CHARGE FOR INGAME ITEMSFLKHASKJF
Woah there, buddy. Keep your pants firmly seated on your head or wherever you put them, I said "sometimes." This means cosmetic items that don't affect gameplay. For example, access to pets - as long as they can't attack, you're allowed to charge for them. In addition you can charge for other cosmetic items, such as hats and particle effects. There's just one exception to the rule. Mojang loves making awesome-sauce capes for the people who are special in their lives, so they want to make those even more exclusive than you're making them. Plus, you can't charge for gameplay items, such as the ability to hide from creepers and one-hit kill swords. 
Okay, so there's a bunch of stuff we CAN charge for. That means we know all the facts, right? Nope. There's still a little confusion about what we CAN'T charge for. But first, a public service announcement directly from Mojang:

Don’t pretend to be us. Provide your customers with loads of info
If you do decide to monetise your server, you must clearly state that the purchase is not associated with Mojang, declare who the money is going to, and provide a purchase history and contact details. You should also check the legality of selling digital items in your specific region.

Well put, Mojang. Do check the legality of such things in your country, state, island, and planet. So what can't we charge cash money for?
DIGITAL MAGIC COINS IS ABOUT IT
Yeah, the only other thing you're not allowed to charge for is ingame currencies. If you earn it through hard work, play time, and item selling it's perfectly okay. But if something you sold affects gameplay, holds players that just want to be treated fairly hostage, that's not cool. That's not cool, bro.

Now, what does this mean? If my server sells swords that shoot pigs do I have to shut down!? WHY DO I HAVE TO SHUT MY SERVER DOWN?!? ALL I WANTED WAS A PIGGYSWORD CURSE YOU MOJANGGGGG

...are we calming down? Do we need a time-out?...
Didin't think so. Now, what this means is that, as long as the pigs despawn or don't drop anything, and the sword only is ever able to shoot pigs that's fine. Or, alternatively, if the piggy-sword is a powertool you sell, then that's perfectly fine as well, as long as it causes no damage or the sword has to be previously crafted. Basically, if you charge some players more than others for access or charge some players for access to a part of a server other players don't get, that's not allowed. Any cosmetic items like hats (but not capes!) are legal, but you can't sell god swords. Get it? If you have any questions, leave a comment and I'll try to answer it. Thank you guys for reading my newest blog and have a cool_time!

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anonpmc1072506
07/30/2014 8:17 pm
Level 19 : Journeyman Miner
[deleted]
1
Cool_Time22
07/31/2014 1:49 pm
Level 28 : Expert Scribe
As long as the sword is not being sold for real money that's fine, but you are not allowed to give some players advantage over others with real money.
1
anonpmc1072506
07/31/2014 2:19 pm
Level 19 : Journeyman Miner
[deleted]
1
Cool_Time22
07/31/2014 8:03 pm
Level 28 : Expert Scribe
No, the EULA states that anything giving one player any advantages over others can't be sold for real money - everyone on the server has to be able to buy it using only in-game money and nothing else.
1
anonpmc1072506
08/01/2014 4:13 pm
Level 19 : Journeyman Miner
[deleted]
1
anonpmc1072506
08/01/2014 10:00 am
Level 19 : Journeyman Miner
[deleted]
1
Cool_Time22
08/06/2014 5:36 pm
Level 28 : Expert Scribe
Oh, I see what you mean. I thought you meant that every player needed the ability to purchase the item for real money as easily as pressing "buy" :P
1
kwaddell
07/30/2014 4:33 pm
Level 1 : New Network
They did not change the EULA, they are only starting to enforce it.
1
Cool_Time22
07/30/2014 4:48 pm
Level 28 : Expert Scribe
Still, it's a change to how the EULA operates and how strictly it enforces its rules. I would say making entire servers have to rethink their donor system would constitute a change having been made :3
1

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