Microsoft to penalise users of illegal points

A few days ago a forum user, on the website ‘The Tech Game’, told all the other users how to generate codes for Microsoft Points on the Xbox Live service. Now Microsoft has hit back at users of these codes.

[technologymob]

As a note: I know there was news about the points being available... But the fact MS will penalise is new and I think note-worthy / worth a new article to warn people.

[pangitkqb]

I'm glad Microsoft is planning some kind of action. Obviously banning might be extreme, but something else. Take a month off their Live subscriptions?

Something not too huge but still bold.

[B1663r]

How would banning be too extreme??? Banning would be perfectly appropriate. Generally when you get caught shop lifting you are told to never return to the store where you shoplifted, I don't see how this would be any different than that.

[Shadowstar]

@B1663r: I don't know enough about this, but is there any possibility those codes were sold to people by the unscrupulous? If so, I hope it's not a ban, just because I think it's hard to overturn.

Otherwise, though... yeah.

[TheStee]

Where in this article does Microsoft's statement suggest more penalising than simply invalidating the codes?!

Could you perhaps link to the statement you are claiming makes this declaration?

[TheStee]

Ok, I read the actual statement. They do say they are looking into it.

How the HELL did you not quote the part of the statement that validates your headline? Are you insane?

[SuperStrokey1123]

Ok im not familiat with what happened but honestly going after the people for using the codes is kinda stupid...

[technologymob]

I agree, to an extent. I think they have to show people that they can't 'mess with them' but at the same time mindlessly banning accounts isn't going to win them any friends easier.

I think invalidating the codes was enough.

[pixelsword]

I agree; they have to make money too and I support Microsoft's actions for doing so; but I wonder what would happen if they go after the hackers as bad as they do for the guys who won't cost developers millions.

[Lou-Cipher]

Why? Is it not theft?

Stealing is taking something that you dont own. If a bank left it's vault open on accident, would it be OK to go and take all the money you could carry?

It's not OK to steal. If you get caught you should be punished.

[technologymob]

Sure, and I agree to an extent but from a business perspective is it the best way to win over fans?

No. Invalidating the codes is enough, in my opinion. If they do ban accounts they will just be shooting themselves in the foot.

[Lou-Cipher]

No doubt it would lower their userbase, but does any company really want to keep those types of consumers around?

I could double my real life friends if I were willing to hang out with the scum of the earth.

I see your point, but I dont think you can let something like theft slide. I mean Sony could let all those hackers/theives slide, and have a bigger userbase, but it is way more harmful to their buisness to let those guys hang around.

Not only should they permenently band those people, they should also file criminal complaints to show that they wont tolerate criminal behavior.

[--------]

-
"I could double my real life friends if I were willing to hang out with the scum of the earth."

Without giving my opinion on any of your views on the matter, that quote is pretty awesome. Well done Sir.

[SMOK3xFFx]

Maybe they will ask the court if they can have all the IP addresses of the people who visited the website and then take them to court.

[ultimate-remag]

probably will ban their xbox so the have 2 go buy a new 1... leading 2 more 360's sold... (smart huh?)

[Kinectanigga]

"We finally hacked the ps3!!!"
Sony *sue sue sue sue*
Fanboys: "Hackers who have realeased info but haven't done anything should be put on death row!!!"

MSP Hackers: "We stole more than one million worth of Microsoft Points let's put it on the Internet WOOt!!!!"
Microsoft: "Let's just ban the abysses and not go to court to demolish out image"
Fanboys: "Microsoft is wrong boooo I'll never buy a M$ product again"

[pixelsword]

Who is saying that?

It's not wise to put words in some people's mouth, they might chew it up and spit it right back at you.

[B1663r]

Look at the story right next to this one about PS3 Hackers. LOL

[pixelsword]

Yeah, but who's saying anything about Microsoft being wrong or not buying Microsoft products before his comment?

[GodofSackboy]

Ur so dumb...there isn't even one comment here against M$

And the hackers released info that let's people totally hack up their system and pirate games and steal everything off PSN...there is a difference, idiot

[DaBadGuy]

Screw em. Ban them all. I'm sick of pirates.

[ANoobsJourney]

My thoughts exactly.

[Darkseeker]

Hey, I don't have a xbox live gold membership, so really, those point went to good use, got a lots of games. Microsoft can ban me if they want, don't care.

[GodsHand]

What goes around comes around, or so they say.

[Dorwrath]

So was this the reason why all of a sudden there was large numbers of 6000 MSP going on Ebay for $20?

[AssassinHD]

I hope the punishment is swift and severe.

[radphil]

"We are aware of the situation and have taken steps to invalidate the codes obtained illegitimately."

"Codes obtained legitimately by users will not be impacted"

Case and point. The punishment is fair and just.

Though it's funny seeing suggestions of earlier comments of punishments.

[NitrousX]

I don't see why anyone should get banned really:

1. It was a promotional campaign run by a sponsor with MS

2. It was free, if it was a paid purchasable codes from MS/retail taken from redeemed codes then yes that would be classed as stealing as its something they have not purchased

3. The promotion itself was deemed free so any user using the generator or not in theory is legit redeeming codes

4. These are on a first come served basis, if your not quick enough snooze you lose like with any promotion these days people will create generators all the time. Don't think this will be the last time people will be using generators

What i can't figure out is how will they go about invalidating generators, cos usually most gens hold only so many codes that one or several people that they have found to be working.

Or would they go by IP address to ban them?
anyway i don't condone piracy but this was a promotion, if i had a opportunity to get free MS points i would jump at the chance.

[tweet75]

i knew this would happen eventually if people just choose a combination of numbers and letters enough times eventually you could get a code right and get "free" points

[AntiHeroComplex]

no one will be punished. If you guys think that MS can punish those who got the free codes you are completely delusional. I dont even know why they are talking out of their ass.... There is absolutely no way for them to distinguish fake from real codes.

People have been pirating win xp for the longest time with the keygen made by blue list. And what? No one got "penalized" ? No shit... its untraceable and there is no way to find who did what.

Whoever got in on this is lucky... this is a lame PR attempt to deter people from doing it in the future. Anyone with half a brain knows who got the codes will get away with it.

And more power to them as XBL should be free anyway.