World of Warcraft no longer legally for sale in Australia

[Stephen!]

One of the major stories that is breaking today around the internet is the fact that in Australia a number of MMOs are no longer legally able to be sold. This is due to their lack of classification, things like M for Mature, PG, 18+, etc...

Our sister site Massively covered this extensively last week, and Tateru Nino's article on it has been picked up by the editors over at Slashdot. This is in particular interest to World of Warcraft folks in that WoW doesn't have a classification, and thus cannot be legally sold in Australia.

According to Tateru's research, the only two MMOs that are presently available for Australia are Vanguard: Saga of Heroes and EVE Online.

If someone was to sell WoW in Australia, they would face a possible penalty of AU$27,220.80 or two years in jail.


There was a brief comment by a blue last night on the situation, basically saying that Blizzard "will always respect the law of the countries in which we operate." That's one of those "duh" PR statements that they have to say however, and gives no real insight as to what they're doing to solve this.

One thing that isn't clear to us, and that we're looking for confirmation about (hint hint, maybe one of you Aussies that read the site can help us out), is if the game can still be bought online. I suspect that it's possible given the transactions will occur in the US, but there might be international trade laws that make that impossible.

We'll have more on this interesting story as things develop.

*REMOVED*

Link removed by Yoshimitsui (Forum Super Moderator): It has been reported that it causes browser problems.

[Janet Snakehole]

well this is just stupid..

[Richie]

Do not click the link which that has been posted it keeps opening and makes you restart you IE

[Minstrels]

Do not click the link which that has been posted it keeps opening and makes you restart you IE

No it doesn't. :S

[Charles]

I read about that. Sucks for aussies who are wanting to play!

[Pyroka]

GOOD RIDDANCE :@

[Blinger1]

I read about that. Sucks for aussies who are wanting to play!

All the nerds can go outside for once !


edit: this has relevance..

http://ps3.qj.net/South-Australian-A.../49/aid/128438
http://www.qj.net/About-bloody-time-.../49/aid/125966

[Charles]

All the nerds can go outside for once !


edit: this has relevance..

http://ps3.qj.net/South-Australian-A.../49/aid/128438
http://www.qj.net/About-bloody-time-.../49/aid/125966

Well yeah, but they most likely won't as they'll prolly just find something else to do. But then again it's Australia, I wouldn't say no to outside to play games.

[Describe]

If someone was to sell WoW in Australia, they would face a possible penalty of AU$27,220.80 or two years in jail.

$27,220,80.

[ben]

$27,220,80.

is that a real number..

l2quote plx