dedBuNNy:
All 'pleasantries' aside... ;-)
You know what is productive? Finding out the total real world dollar value that was spent by the hundreds of players in what was clearly a futile pursuit, as for all intense purposes the event was compromised by ANCC violating and exploiting WGT's rules.
Causing financial interference and distress isn't limited to events only in the physical day to day world. It's very very much applicable within the 'virtual world' as well as it relates to finances and transactions.
You might simply view this as people tossing around digital golf balls and spending game credits, well those credits cost real money. ANCC's, what can only be described as, deceitful and approved of actions? They caused financial distress and loss to a great number of players on WGT who in good faith entered into what they thought was a fair competition to be played by like minded CC's and players.
Is WGT at fault here?
I don't know what the total would be, I'm betting it's in the many thousands of dollars. There are a great number of players out that money... and they aren't happy about it.
I am amazed at this whole affair. Admitted and brazen cheating realized and rewarded by a business that I hope unwittingly condoned the activity. WGT should not just ignore consumers, and
consumers should not feel that they "just have to take it." We live in a
real world where real money is exchanging in commerce even if just for
virtual entertainment.
Have I told everyone about the great little
WGT ball that sells for just 10 credits per sleeve? It keeps my
spending reasonable and I play almost as well and often better than I do
with 250 credit balls.
WGT I have read often where you say you take cheating seriously, and you actively search and punish them.
Why this should concern WGT is the FTC.
Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act
(FTC Act) (15 USC 45) prohibits ‘‘unfair or
deceptive acts or practices in or affecting
commerce.’’ The prohibition applies to all persons
engaged in commerce, including banks.
Unfair Acts or Practices
An act or practice is unfair where it
• Causes or is likely to cause substantial injury to
consumers,
• Cannot be reasonably avoided by consumers,
and
• Is not outweighed by countervailing benefits to
consumers or to competition.
Public policy, as established by statute, regulation,
or judicial decisions, may be considered with
all other evidence in determining whether an act or
practice is unfair.
Deceptive Acts or Practices
An act or practice is deceptive where
• A representation, omission, or practice misleads
or is likely to mislead the consumer;
• A consumer’s interpretation of the representation,
omission, or practice is considered reasonable
under the circumstances; and
• The misleading representation, omission, or practice
is material.
By default
and by design, right now, both the FTC and the Federal Communications
Commission share jurisdiction over the Internet and the companies that profit
from it.
Though both agencies were created by Congress in the first half
of the last century to address specific problems of the time--the FTC to
investigate and punish large corporations (trusts) for “unfair methods of
competition” and “unfair or deceptive acts or practices,” and the FCC to uphold
the public's interest in broadcasting and telecommunications--they have now
evolved into unofficial Internet regulators.
This post is remind everyone that though we meet here in a virtual world, we are still governed in the physical world.