Fortnite cheater and Epic Games settle lawsuit

Epic Games and Charles Vraspir have settled a lawsuit related to cheating in the game Fortnite: Battle Royale. Vraspir has agreed to destroy the software used to circumvent the rules of the game and to never cheat at any of Epic’s products ever again.

The injunction, signed by chief U.S. district Judge James C. Dever III, involves consequences if Vraspir violates its terms. They include a fine of at least $5,000.

Epic made the unusual move to sue Vraspir, as well as several other people including at least one minor, for copyright infringement. The cases differ in their details, but by and large they argue that using cheats and publicizing them online is a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). This injunction is not definitive proof that Epic’s tactic will work, however, and the remainder of the cases are proceeding at this time.

Polygon recently spoke with members of the team behind Battle Royale, but they were unable to comment on the specifics of any one case. They remain adamant, however, that they are within their right to aggressively defend the integrity of their game with “all available options.”

You can read the full text of the injunction below.

The court orders that Vraspir is to be “permanently enjoined and restrained from” the following:

Infringing any of Epic's currently existing or future copyrighted works ... creating, writing, developing, advertising, promoting, and/or distributing anything that infringes Epic's works ... violating Epic's Terms of Service ... violating any of Epic's End User Licensing Agreements ... cheating at any of Epic's games or at any game that Epic subsequently develops, creates, or publishes ... [and] materially contributing to cheating by others.

The lawsuit also claimed that Vraspir participated in the creation of the cheat. The injunction states that he has been ordered to destroy all copies of that software. Support from the tool has since been removed from Addicted Cheats citing legal issues. That subscription service currently offers similar cheats for more than 20 other games, including multiplayer titles published by Electronic Arts and Ubisoft.

Polygon was able to reach Vraspir in October by telephone. At the time, he declined to comment on the litigation and also declined to say if he was associated with Addicted Cheats in any way. The injunction does not mention that website.

A second Fortnite: Battle Royale lawsuit another individual associated with Addicted Cheats is still ongoing.