Mr. Fahrenheit · Sep 10, 2007, 12:26 PM // 12:26

Just wondering...

N E D M · Sep 10, 2007, 12:30 PM // 12:30

short answer : yes
if you dont tell noone will know tho

pamelf · Sep 10, 2007, 02:05 PM // 14:05

I don't htink it's illegal because you're not making a profit. I know you can't share accounts, but if you have stopped using it and have simply passed it on to someone I can't see what would be wrong with that.

TheRaven · Sep 10, 2007, 03:12 PM // 15:12

Giving away an account you no longer use is fine. The problems arise on the other end when the person you gave the account to starts whining.

"My friend gave me his factions account. I want to merge it with my Prophecies account. It won't let me!!!! WAHHHH!!!"

The other common problem is the issue of the original owner wanting to get back into the game and he wants his account back. Since he has the original account key, he can send an e-mail to support and yank back the account at any time. This is why I never recommend buying or accepting a free used account from a stranger. The account is never really yours.

As the giver, I'd say that if you want to give away your account then do so. There is nothing wrong with that. Just be sure to explain to the recipient the "catches" that go along with accepting a used account.

On the other hand, if someone posts that a friend wants to give him a free used account, I'd recommend not accepting it and buying one new.

Smile Like Umean It · Sep 10, 2007, 03:54 PM // 15:54

Raven, last I checked (real long time ago) giving away your account even if you plan to never use it again is not fine. It's against the EULA to share accounts. And if you run into any problems support will not help you.

There was a lengthy thread over on GWO that asking this very question. If I can find it, I'll be sure to post a link.

Edit: Found this thread. And although not technically on topic this thread too.

Goldleader · Sep 10, 2007, 07:46 PM // 19:46

If you're giving away an old account you never play, I don't see the risk.

The person giving away the account no longer wants it, and the person who receives it is getting it for free.

The only real risk is for the person getting the free account. If the original owner decides he wants his old account back, that account could get yanked away from the current owner and sent back to the original owner (or it could get banned).

So yes, I agree with the post above...beware anyone getting an account they did not buy. If you did not buy and register the account, it will never really be yours in Anet's eyes.

Lot's of scammers sell their accounts in-game for GW gold and then yank them back, only to resell them a week later. Although the number of people selling accounts appears to have dropped, so perhaps all those accounts have finally been banned.

Caleb · Sep 10, 2007, 08:00 PM // 20:00

According to the user agreement you agree to when you create your account, you cannot transfer that account to anyone else for any reason (with the exception of a parent and underage child).

http://guildwars.com/support/legal/users-agreement.php

Section 3 clearly covers this question.

Quote:

3. LICENSE TO USE

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, NC Interactive grants to you, for your personal use only, a non-exclusive, revocable, nontransferable (except as permitted in Section 4(a)) license to use the Service, and a non-exclusive, revocable, nontransferable (except as permitted in Section 4(a)) license to use the Software in connection with the Service, without charge except for new Campaigns and Additional Features which will be charged on a prepaid basis according to Section 5.

You may not (a) sublicense, rent, lease, loan or otherwise transfer the Software or the Service (or any part thereof), including without limitation access keys; (b) modify, adapt, reverse engineer or decompile the Software, or otherwise attempt to derive source code from the Software; (c) create any derivative works in respect of the Software or the Service; or (d) otherwise use the Software or the Service except as expressly provided in this Agreement. You should keep your access key in a safe place and not share it with anyone else. The access key can be used only once. Title to the Software, and all rights with respect to the Software and Service not specifically granted under this Agreement, including without limitation all rights of reproduction, modification, distribution, display, disassembly and decompilation and all copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret and other proprietary rights and interests are reserved to NC Interactive.

Explodie · Sep 11, 2007, 07:38 AM // 07:38

Well i dont think selling accounts is illegal to, if you get bored of your account and you delete everything, and then sell if for 50% off the price, then your not making profit aswell.

Because if thats illegal then is giving your account away aswell, you give him your characters and gold and stuff.
So the other person is then making profit on you.

cryptology · Sep 11, 2007, 08:48 AM // 08:48

Technically, the account isn't yours to "give away". You're only entitled to use the account. It would be the moral equivalent to giving away a stolen television... if you want to think of it that way.

Cricket · Sep 11, 2007, 09:35 AM // 09:35

It's not "illegal" per se, because there is no criminal action involved. The police won't come and break down your door for selling a GW account either, but NCSoft reserves quite a lot of rights to do with accounts. They can yank the account any time, for any reason, and transfering an account is one of the reasons that gets it banned if you're not careful.

If you're doing it quietly you and the receiver will probably be safe, except from each other - you will always have the power of the original owner, and NCSoft only ever recognize you as the owner.

Sep 10, 2007, 12:26 PM // 12:26	#1
Mr. Fahrenheit Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Broadway Profession: D/	If selling accounts is illegal, is giving away one as well? Just wondering...

Sep 10, 2007, 03:54 PM // 15:54	#5
Smile Like Umean It Desert Nomad Join Date: Jul 2006 Profession: E/Rt	Raven, last I checked (real long time ago) giving away your account even if you plan to never use it again is not fine. It's against the EULA to share accounts. And if you run into any problems support will not help you. There was a lengthy thread over on GWO that asking this very question. If I can find it, I'll be sure to post a link. Edit: Found this thread. And although not technically on topic this thread too. Last edited by Smile Like Umean It; Sep 10, 2007 at 04:16 PM // 16:16..

Sep 10, 2007, 07:46 PM // 19:46	#6
Goldleader Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jun 2006 Profession: Mo/Me	If you're giving away an old account you never play, I don't see the risk. The person giving away the account no longer wants it, and the person who receives it is getting it for free. The only real risk is for the person getting the free account. If the original owner decides he wants his old account back, that account could get yanked away from the current owner and sent back to the original owner (or it could get banned). So yes, I agree with the post above...beware anyone getting an account they did not buy. If you did not buy and register the account, it will never really be yours in Anet's eyes. Lot's of scammers sell their accounts in-game for GW gold and then yank them back, only to resell them a week later. Although the number of people selling accounts appears to have dropped, so perhaps all those accounts have finally been banned. Last edited by Goldleader; Sep 10, 2007 at 07:51 PM // 19:51..

Sep 10, 2007, 12:30 PM // 12:30	#2
N E D M Desert Nomad Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Officer's Club Guild: Gameamp Guides [AMP]	short answer : yes if you dont tell noone will know tho

Sep 10, 2007, 02:05 PM // 14:05	#3
pamelf Forge Runner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Guild: Lost Templars [LoTe] Profession: Me/Mo	I don't htink it's illegal because you're not making a profit. I know you can't share accounts, but if you have stopped using it and have simply passed it on to someone I can't see what would be wrong with that.

Sep 10, 2007, 03:12 PM // 15:12	#4
TheRaven Desert Nomad Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Virginia Guild: Spirit of Elisha Profession: W/	Giving away an account you no longer use is fine. The problems arise on the other end when the person you gave the account to starts whining. "My friend gave me his factions account. I want to merge it with my Prophecies account. It won't let me!!!! WAHHHH!!!" The other common problem is the issue of the original owner wanting to get back into the game and he wants his account back. Since he has the original account key, he can send an e-mail to support and yank back the account at any time. This is why I never recommend buying or accepting a free used account from a stranger. The account is never really yours. As the giver, I'd say that if you want to give away your account then do so. There is nothing wrong with that. Just be sure to explain to the recipient the "catches" that go along with accepting a used account. On the other hand, if someone posts that a friend wants to give him a free used account, I'd recommend not accepting it and buying one new.

Sep 11, 2007, 07:38 AM // 07:38	#8
Explodie Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Netherlands Guild: LowLandLions [LLL] Profession: R/	Well i dont think selling accounts is illegal to, if you get bored of your account and you delete everything, and then sell if for 50% off the price, then your not making profit aswell. Because if thats illegal then is giving your account away aswell, you give him your characters and gold and stuff. So the other person is then making profit on you.

Sep 11, 2007, 08:48 AM // 08:48	#9
cryptology Academy Page Join Date: Dec 2006	Technically, the account isn't yours to "give away". You're only entitled to use the account. It would be the moral equivalent to giving away a stolen television... if you want to think of it that way.

Sep 11, 2007, 09:35 AM // 09:35	#10
Cricket Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Leipzig Guild: Legendary Guardians of War Profession: R/Me	It's not "illegal" per se, because there is no criminal action involved. The police won't come and break down your door for selling a GW account either, but NCSoft reserves quite a lot of rights to do with accounts. They can yank the account any time, for any reason, and transfering an account is one of the reasons that gets it banned if you're not careful. If you're doing it quietly you and the receiver will probably be safe, except from each other - you will always have the power of the original owner, and NCSoft only ever recognize you as the owner.