GameBanshee Forums

How's the deal if you buy a game second hand?
Do I get an own account and all?

No. Accounts aren't allowed to be traded, so it will not be legal if the account follows the purchase.

You can install the game from any disc in fact, it's the Authorization Key that makes your account unique. Since it comes with the discs, you are better off installing the game from original discs, aren't you?

Well - I'm not sure if you can buy/get a new key from Blizzard if you purchase the disc second hand. Nothing should actually be illegal about buying the disc. It is the account and all its content which are illegal to trade.

However, the fact that the key usually is tied to the disc (buy disc -> get the key) could make second hand purchase of the disc impossible.

Exactly. What I meant is that you can actually install the game from one set of discs to as many computers as you want, you won't be able to use it without the AK. So it's not the Key that comes with the discs but the way around

Why can't I use the old key then?
That doesn't seem illegal to me, it's just that that guy didn't like the game and wants to get rid of it.

I don't think it's illegal either. And it should be possible IMO.

So, they finally got you persuaded into buying the gaming?

[QUOTE=Rob-hin]Why can't I use the old key then?
That doesn't seem illegal to me, it's just that that guy didn't like the game and wants to get rid of it.[/QUOTE]

Blizzard owns all in-game content, including the characters you create and play with. Thus it isn't somebody elses right to sell that content, which include account trading. It is expressed on both their website and their Terms of Use.
And seeing as the account is tied to the keycode for the game, it would seem that the selling of said code would be the same as selling the account.

My best advice would be to contact Blizzard before this transaction goes through and see if you can infact buy another key if you buy the game second hand.

I do belive that you can delete an account and it's association with a CD key. Then if you create another account with the same key it should be fine. But as Xandax said, consulting Blizzard might be a good idea.

You are definately not allowed to take over someone else account, but to delete it and then create a new on the same CD key.....

[QUOTE=Rob-hin]Why can't I use the old key then?
That doesn't seem illegal to me, it's just that that guy didn't like the game and wants to get rid of it.[/QUOTE]
Well, if he activated his account and used it, and he wants to sell it to you, it's considered illegal. Well, if he just gives you his login and password of his own will, and you log in and modifiy his chars and create your own, well, who can make you not to do that?

That's what I'm thinking too Brynn.

I just mailed the WoW tech and billing staff, those were the only ones I could mail, and will post their reactions here.

Thanks for your imput everyone.

Here's Blizzards response:

Hello Robin.

Thank you for contacting Blizzard Entertainment! World of Warcraft accounts are
generated using the authentication key included in each retail copy. This key
controls only the account creation; it is not needed in order to install the
game client onto a computer. Therefore, you are able to install the game on as
many computers as you wish, but, you will only be able to access your account
from one location at a time.

However, please note that once an account has been created using a key, that key
is no longer valid for creating additional accounts. If you share your key with
someone else, you lose the ability to create an account for yourself.

If you are buying the disks second hand you will still need a new authentication
key, which can only be obtained by purchasing a legal copy of the game. As a
result, it may not be worth your money (or time) to purchase the second-hand
disks.

Sincerely,

Tommy N.
Blizzard Technical Support

So, basically if the guy from whom you buy the discs doesn't play the game anymore and you get his account info, you should be fine...right?

Rudar Dimble wrote:So, basically if the guy from whom you buy the discs doesn't play the game anymore and you get his account info, you should be fine...right?

Nope

<snip>
However, please note that once an account has been created using a key, that key is no longer valid for creating additional accounts.<snip>

<snip>If you are buying the disks second hand you will still need a new authentication key, which can only be obtained by purchasing a legal copy of the game. <snip>

Why not? The guy who had enough of WoW gives Rob the discs AND his login and password for the existing account that he doesn't wish to use anymore. Rob logs in, changes the password and that's all, only he can use the account from now on.

Because accounts aren't allowed to be traded.

Just bought the game.

[QUOTE=Xandax]Because accounts aren't allowed to be traded.[/QUOTE]
Whether he pays for it or not is another matter, I was only saying that technically it's possible

[QUOTE=Rob]Just bought the game.[/quote]
Good decision!

[QUOTE=Brynn]Whether he pays for it or not is another matter, I was only saying that technically it's possible
[/QUOTE]

Whether he pays for it or not is not relevant. Account trading is not allowed by Blizzard.
So while things technically are possible, dosen't mean they are legal.

[QUOTE=Xandax]Whether he pays for it or not is not relevant. Account trading is not allowed by Blizzard.
So while things technically are possible, dosen't mean they are legal.[/QUOTE]
I never said it was legal, did I?