Blizzard Sues World of Warcraft Private Server Project Ascension

Blizzard has filed a copyright lawsuit against Project Ascension, a long-running private World of Warcraft server project. The company claims the project has distributed “millions” of pirated copies of WoW game software and built a business around unauthorized use of Blizzard’s code, assets, and game systems.

As reported by Aftermath, Blizzard’s complaint says Project Ascension has drawn more than a million players and has profited from offering a modified version of the WoW experience outside Blizzard’s control. The suit argues that the private server diverts players away from the official game, including players who would otherwise pay subscription fees.

Project Ascension is known for changing WoW’s class structure, letting players mix abilities in ways the official game doesn’t. Blizzard’s lawsuit focuses less on those design changes and more on the legal claim that the project uses and distributes protected World of Warcraft software without permission.

The complaint also points to Project Ascension’s hosting setup, including servers Blizzard describes as “bulletproof” and based in Russia. Blizzard specifically cites Aeza Group, a server company that the U.S. Treasury said was sanctioned last year for supporting cybercriminal activity, according to the Treasury announcement.

Blizzard is seeking to stop the project’s alleged infringement and argues that Project Ascension has caused “significant and irreparable harm” to the company and to the official World of Warcraft business. Project Ascension’s response to the lawsuit was not included in the source material.