I keep seeing people posting "Rant articles" on blogs all the time, and I figured since this thing has been bugging me every time I log onto PlanetMinecraft: cracked servers.

So, a few people may be asking, what is a cracked server? Simple: it's illegal. A cracked server allows for players who do not actually own the game to play the game. Not only is downloading the game without paying illegal in itself (thanks, piracy) hosting a cracked server is also illegal.

But why is it illegal to host such a server? Again, the answer is easy. Piracy is, as defined by thefreedictionary.com, "The unauthorized use or reproduction of copyrighted or patented material". And, as hosting a server that allows pirated players to join, the hosts of the server are aiding in the crime.

What does this even mean for Planet Minecraft? Hosts of servers that are listed on PMC are, as a member of PMC, bound legally to the Terms of Service. The very first point in the terms actually leads as such:

1: Upload, post or otherwise transmit through or to this website any content that:
- is unlawful, abusive, threatening, harmful, obscene, lewd, offensive, defamatory or otherwise objectionable;
- might infringe the intellectual property rights, privacy rights, rights of publicity, or other proprietary rights of others;
- contains any viruses, trojan horses, time bombs, or any other harmful programs or elements;

With that said, consider all hosts of cracked servers warned. And consider my rant done.