Rockstar proprietor Take-Two Interactive is suing on-line market PlayerAuctions, alleging it incorporates “1000’s of listings for unauthorized, infringing GTA V content material – together with closely modified participant accounts, in-game property, and digital foreign money – all gained through the use of hacking software program, cheats, and technical exploits.”
The lawsuit was filed final week within the U.S. Central District Courtroom of California in opposition to the Chinese language firm that owns the web site, Paiao Community Expertise. It accuses PlayerAuctions of working “with full data that its sellers are engaged in rampant infringement and different unauthorized conduct,” whereas it “reaps thousands and thousands in income by taking a lower of each transaction on its market.”
Particularly, Take-Two alleges that PlayerAuctions hosts listings of modded accounts which have been manipulated to offer excessive sport ranges and in-game foreign money, or to unlock content material usually unlocked by enjoying or purchases. Take-Two additionally claims PlayerAuctions sells cash drop providers that work utilizing hacking software program to offer buying gamers massive quantities of in-game cash, and account boosting providers the place sellers use hacking software program or glitches to inflate a buying participant’s in-game degree or foreign money complete.
Take-Two additional argues that PlayerAuctions goes out of its technique to “lull its customers into shopping for illegitimate GTA V content material from its sellers” by providing refunds if the hacked accounts bought are caught and banned post-purchase. In keeping with the grievance, Take-Two has “repeatedly confronted PlayerAuctions with proof of infringement” and has issued a stop and desist, however PlayerAuction has refused to close down these listings.
The GTA writer is claiming reduction for a number of differing types and ranges of copyright infringement, in addition to intentional interference with contract. Take-Two is searching for a everlasting enjoinment on PlayerAuctions from persevering with to immediately or not directly promote accounts, foreign money, or gadgets in any Take-Two sport, or collaborating in or helping hacking efforts, or infringing the GTA emblems. It is also seeing damages for trademark infringement, prices and lawyer charges, damages, and restitution.
Take-Two is not the one firm going after PlayerAuctions. Early final month, Roblox filed the same swimsuit within the Northern District of California Courtroom masking roughly the identical accusations, makes an attempt at a stop and desist, claims, and prayer for reduction. Notably, PlayerAuctions provides related gross sales and providers throughout many different video games, together with World of Warcraft, Genshin Impression, Valorant, Path of Exile, Closing Fantasy 14, Name of Obligation, and Fortnite. In complete, PlayerAuctions claims to promote numerous boosts, gadgets, and advantages for over 200 video games.
Whereas the Take-Two swimsuit continues to be early within the course of, the Roblox case has its first listening to set for March 20 in Oakland, California, the place Roblox is searching for a preliminary injunction to cease PlayerAuctions from promoting Roblox-related merchandise and providers whereas the case proceeds.
The lawsuit comes forward of the autumn 2025 launch of GTA 6, which Take-Two just lately reaffirmed. The hope is in fact that any new model of GTA Online that launches alongside GTA 6 can be as free from cheaters as is feasible, and the lawsuit could go some technique to serving to.
We’ve received lots extra on GTA 6, together with Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick’s response to concern in regards to the destiny of GTA Online as soon as GTA 6 comes out.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You will discover her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Bought a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.