Can I sell my license keys? - Guild Wars Forums

johnactor · Apr 09, 2007, 09:10 PM // 21:10

Hi, I get that I can't sell virtual assets etc. as they don't belong to me, and I don't have the retail boxes because I prefer to download. However, it seems ok to sell boxed retail games generally (just look in Game), wondered how it worked with license keys.

Thanks

RPGmaniac · Apr 09, 2007, 09:16 PM // 21:16

When people buy accounts for GW, that is what they are buying, the license keys. And in the EULA it says you can't sell anything that belongs to Anet, including the license keys used to make GW accounts.

Short answer: you can't sell the license keys (that is also a common scam too, sell a used license key and get some RL money for it too)

*Darcy* · Apr 09, 2007, 09:43 PM // 21:43

Selling, or offering for sale, a registered key will result in a permanent ban for the account if reported to ArenaNet. (This also covers letting someone else play on your account.)

You can check under Legal on guildwars.com for further info.

But this is how the story usually unfolds:

1. Player A buys game, creates account, registers key, plays game

2. Player A sells game to Player B and gives the account login info, but no game materials, key slip, account creation info

3. Player B cannot change login email, but changes password

4. Player A wants game back, so reports hacking of account

5a. Player B cannot offer proofs of ownership, so account password is reset and account given back to Player A. Player B is banned from ever owning a Guild Wars account, and if already owns another one, that will also be closed.

5b. Player B can prove purchase from Player A, so account is perma banned. Both Player B and Player A are perma banned for all GW accounts.

Lydz · Apr 09, 2007, 10:18 PM // 22:18

XD it's a harsh world!

Smile Like Umean It · Apr 09, 2007, 10:27 PM // 22:27

I know it's against the EULA, but you don't actually agree to it until you create the account, right?
Or the second you buy it you're bound to it?

Lydz · Apr 09, 2007, 10:32 PM // 22:32

I don't think there's anything wrong with selling the key before you use it...or am I wrong?

Kook~NBK~ · Apr 09, 2007, 10:35 PM // 22:35

Ask A-net. They'll give you the best answer.

*Darcy* · Apr 09, 2007, 10:42 PM // 22:42

The EULA only affects "registered" keys. I can buy a GW game and give it away as a present or re-sell to someone as long as I did not register the key on a GW account.

Once the key has been added to an account, ownership can never be transferred.

Personally, I would never buy a key without the unopened game package as this forum site sees a lot of posts about people buying a key and then finding out its a used one.

Loviatar · Apr 09, 2007, 10:43 PM // 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lydz

I don't think there's anything wrong with selling the key before you use it...or am I wrong?

here is the official answer.

Quote:

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

Lydz · Apr 09, 2007, 10:45 PM // 22:45

Yes thought so

EDIT: OK didn't think so Loviatar but nice to know ^^ the above was aimed at Darcy lol

*Darcy* · Apr 09, 2007, 10:55 PM // 22:55

@Lovitar - yes, that quote covers letting your best friend use your account, then he gives log-in info to someone else who changes the password and steals your account.

You will never see the account again. If you complain to ANet, they will go through the usual process to determine ownership and perma ban the account because you violated the terms.

flyinhigh · Apr 09, 2007, 10:58 PM // 22:58

thier eula specifically states that it is against it to transfer in any way. one caveat to that is that there is nothing legally binding you to follow that eula.

Sofonisba · Apr 09, 2007, 10:59 PM // 22:59

Loviatar???s quote I believe refers to used keys.

I don???t have access to the emails right now, but I can tell you that it is OK to transfer UNUSED keys, or at least it was in 2005.

The reason I know this, is because I wanted to give a second account to a guildie???who lives in a different hemisphere--as a Xmas present 2005. I was very worried about this ???transferring??? situation so I emailed ANet. (This was back before extra character slots, or even the on-line store.) I explained how I wanted to do it, and asked if it was all right to buy a box in the store and pm the code to my friend via our forum.

I received a real-human-person emailed response, that as long as they key is unused, you may transfer it how you wish.

Loviatar · Apr 09, 2007, 11:07 PM // 23:07

[QUOTE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sofonisba

Quote:

Loviatar’s quote I believe refers to used keys.

no it applies to all transference of keys and note your other point which makes all the difference.

Quote:

I explained how I wanted to do it, and asked if it was all right to buy a box in the store and pm the code to my friend via our forum.

I received a real-human-person emailed response, that as long as they key is unused, you may transfer it how you wish.

that makes all the difference as a purchased gift as no revenue is lost to Anet on that

you are not transfering your key but buying a new game

*Darcy* · Apr 09, 2007, 11:11 PM // 23:11

@flynhigh - It doesn't need to bind you. You are free to act as you please, as long as you are willing to accept the consequences. You might think you could sue ArenaNet and win, but I very much doubt it. ANet enforces their EULA which makes it defensible in court.

ArenaNet's stance is that they are selling you access to their servers, not just a game. They have the legal right to stop that access for any reason. The EULA and other legal statements on their part simply infom you of the most common reasons for denying that access to an individual.

lennymon · Apr 10, 2007, 12:35 AM // 00:35

I can't see buying a key from plaync.com and giving it away ever causing a ban, but reselling it *may* be a sticky point is my guess (but... just a guess, Anet will give you a better response should they actually respond)

johnactor · Apr 10, 2007, 08:13 AM // 08:13

hey thanks all, i knew i'd get a very quick response.

Interesting that you can't even give it away

A pity too given I'm off to Lord of the Rings online.
Still, this is without question a tremendous MMO and I've thoroughly enjoyed it, I've talked to a whole load of MMO players here in work, mostly WoW, who have been consistently impressed with Guild Wars but, due to their lack of publicity and marketing, don't advertise all the software's strengths like they could.

Apr 09, 2007, 09:10 PM // 21:10	#1
johnactor Academy Page Join Date: Feb 2006 Profession: Mo/Me	Can I sell my license keys? Hi, I get that I can't sell virtual assets etc. as they don't belong to me, and I don't have the retail boxes because I prefer to download. However, it seems ok to sell boxed retail games generally (just look in Game), wondered how it worked with license keys. Thanks

Apr 09, 2007, 09:43 PM // 21:43	#3
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	Selling, or offering for sale, a registered key will result in a permanent ban for the account if reported to ArenaNet. (This also covers letting someone else play on your account.) You can check under Legal on guildwars.com for further info. But this is how the story usually unfolds: 1. Player A buys game, creates account, registers key, plays game 2. Player A sells game to Player B and gives the account login info, but no game materials, key slip, account creation info 3. Player B cannot change login email, but changes password 4. Player A wants game back, so reports hacking of account 5a. Player B cannot offer proofs of ownership, so account password is reset and account given back to Player A. Player B is banned from ever owning a Guild Wars account, and if already owns another one, that will also be closed. 5b. Player B can prove purchase from Player A, so account is perma banned. Both Player B and Player A are perma banned for all GW accounts. Last edited by Darcy; Apr 09, 2007 at 09:46 PM // 21:46..

Apr 09, 2007, 10:42 PM // 22:42	#8
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	The EULA only affects "registered" keys. I can buy a GW game and give it away as a present or re-sell to someone as long as I did not register the key on a GW account. Once the key has been added to an account, ownership can never be transferred. Personally, I would never buy a key without the unopened game package as this forum site sees a lot of posts about people buying a key and then finding out its a used one. Last edited by Darcy; Apr 09, 2007 at 10:45 PM // 22:45..

Apr 09, 2007, 10:45 PM // 22:45	#10
Lydz Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Guild: The Crazy Dragons [TCD] Profession: E/Mo	Yes thought so EDIT: OK didn't think so Loviatar but nice to know ^^ the above was aimed at Darcy lol Last edited by Lydz; Apr 09, 2007 at 10:52 PM // 22:52..

Apr 10, 2007, 08:13 AM // 08:13	#17
johnactor Academy Page Join Date: Feb 2006 Profession: Mo/Me	hey thanks all, i knew i'd get a very quick response. Interesting that you can't even give it away A pity too given I'm off to Lord of the Rings online. Still, this is without question a tremendous MMO and I've thoroughly enjoyed it, I've talked to a whole load of MMO players here in work, mostly WoW, who have been consistently impressed with Guild Wars but, due to their lack of publicity and marketing, don't advertise all the software's strengths like they could. Last edited by johnactor; Apr 10, 2007 at 08:32 AM // 08:32..

Apr 09, 2007, 09:16 PM // 21:16	#2
RPGmaniac Desert Nomad Join Date: Aug 2005	When people buy accounts for GW, that is what they are buying, the license keys. And in the EULA it says you can't sell anything that belongs to Anet, including the license keys used to make GW accounts. Short answer: you can't sell the license keys (that is also a common scam too, sell a used license key and get some RL money for it too)

Apr 09, 2007, 10:18 PM // 22:18	#4
Lydz Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Guild: The Crazy Dragons [TCD] Profession: E/Mo	XD it's a harsh world!

Apr 09, 2007, 10:27 PM // 22:27	#5
Smile Like Umean It Desert Nomad Join Date: Jul 2006 Profession: E/Rt	I know it's against the EULA, but you don't actually agree to it until you create the account, right? Or the second you buy it you're bound to it?

Apr 09, 2007, 10:32 PM // 22:32	#6
Lydz Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Guild: The Crazy Dragons [TCD] Profession: E/Mo	I don't think there's anything wrong with selling the key before you use it...or am I wrong?

Apr 09, 2007, 10:35 PM // 22:35	#7
Kook~NBK~ Grotto Attendant Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: A little chalet outside Drok's Guild: Natural Born Killaz	Ask A-net. They'll give you the best answer.

Apr 09, 2007, 10:55 PM // 22:55	#11
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	@Lovitar - yes, that quote covers letting your best friend use your account, then he gives log-in info to someone else who changes the password and steals your account. You will never see the account again. If you complain to ANet, they will go through the usual process to determine ownership and perma ban the account because you violated the terms.

Apr 09, 2007, 10:58 PM // 22:58	#12
flyinhigh Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: meh Guild: wtfpwned Profession: N/	thier eula specifically states that it is against it to transfer in any way. one caveat to that is that there is nothing legally binding you to follow that eula.

Apr 09, 2007, 10:59 PM // 22:59	#13
Sofonisba Desert Nomad Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Guild: The Black Hand Gang [BHG] and The Black Helm Gang [BHeG]	Loviatar???s quote I believe refers to used keys. I don???t have access to the emails right now, but I can tell you that it is OK to transfer UNUSED keys, or at least it was in 2005. The reason I know this, is because I wanted to give a second account to a guildie???who lives in a different hemisphere--as a Xmas present 2005. I was very worried about this ???transferring??? situation so I emailed ANet. (This was back before extra character slots, or even the on-line store.) I explained how I wanted to do it, and asked if it was all right to buy a box in the store and pm the code to my friend via our forum. I received a real-human-person emailed response, that as long as they key is unused, you may transfer it how you wish.

Apr 09, 2007, 11:11 PM // 23:11	#15
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	@flynhigh - It doesn't need to bind you. You are free to act as you please, as long as you are willing to accept the consequences. You might think you could sue ArenaNet and win, but I very much doubt it. ANet enforces their EULA which makes it defensible in court. ArenaNet's stance is that they are selling you access to their servers, not just a game. They have the legal right to stop that access for any reason. The EULA and other legal statements on their part simply infom you of the most common reasons for denying that access to an individual.

Apr 10, 2007, 12:35 AM // 00:35	#16
lennymon Forge Runner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Seattle Guild: Odin's Hammer [OH] - Servant's of Fortuna [SoF] Profession: R/	I can't see buying a key from plaync.com and giving it away ever causing a ban, but reselling it may be a sticky point is my guess (but... just a guess, Anet will give you a better response should they actually respond)