World of Warcraft no longer legally for sale in Australia
by Adam Holisky 
Feb 4th 2009 at 1:30PM
One of the major stories that is breaking today around the internet is the fact that in Australia a number of MMOs are no longer legally able to be sold. This is due to their lack of classification, things like M for Mature, PG, 18+, etc...Our sister site Massively covered this extensively last week, and Tateru Nino's article on it has been picked up by the editors over at Slashdot. This is in particular interest to World of Warcraft folks in that WoW doesn't have a classification, and thus cannot be legally sold in Australia.
According to Tateru's research, the only two MMOs that are presently available for Australia are Vanguard: Saga of Heroes and EVE Online.
If someone was to sell WoW in Australia, they would face a possible penalty of AU$27,220.80 or two years in jail.
There was a brief comment by a blue last night on the situation, basically saying that Blizzard "will always respect the law of the countries in which we operate." That's one of those "duh" PR statements that they have to say however, and gives no real insight as to what they're doing to solve this.
One thing that isn't clear to us, and that we're looking for confirmation about (hint hint, maybe one of you Aussies that read the site can help us out), is if the game can still be bought online. I suspect that it's possible given the transactions will occur in the US, but there might be international trade laws that make that impossible.
We'll have more on this interesting story as things develop.
Filed under: Blizzard, News items, Economy
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Abbadon Feb 4th 2009 1:34PM
Time to go pick up some copies and put them on eBay with an international shipping option...
LostOne Feb 4th 2009 3:07PM
I assume Blizzard will work as quickly as possible to get a rating so it can be sold again in Australia.
Sounds like just the sale is banned. So those people that already have a purchased copy can still play?
Kakistocracy Feb 4th 2009 4:33PM
Sounds like a great advertising gimmick,
"World of Warcraft, illegal in Australia.
Get your copy today!"
Clopert Feb 5th 2009 2:49AM
Don't take my word on this, however I believe that because the rating on the box - the one I have at least - is by the ESRB and not the Australian Government rating people.
Therefore, I think that once the game is given a rating by the Aussie Raters, it will be 'legal' again.
From what I've seen a lot of games have "T for Teen" etc. on them, and not aussie ratings, so this probably won't last long.
Netherscourge Feb 4th 2009 1:35PM
This means Australian's will live longer, fuller lives now. They'll be able to go outside and see the sun, crocodiles and kangaroos.
Meanwhile, the rest of us will be inside our parent's basements farming PvE bosses for the rest of our miserable, unfulfilled lives.
joerendous Feb 4th 2009 1:36PM
i lol'd irl.
then cried a little inside.
kalatash Feb 4th 2009 1:50PM
From what I recall about Australia... going outside would not increase their average lifespan.
Australia: Where Everything Can Kill You. Seriously.
Olicon Feb 4th 2009 8:56PM
I think you're onto something there..
WoW needs kangaroo mobs!
themightysven Feb 4th 2009 11:32PM
Lich King encounter just got more complex with the addition of giant undead, disease spewing kangaroos. (which would, incidentally, be a great guild name)
Maybe when they get to the Great Sea yo?
Urza Feb 4th 2009 1:37PM
Or Blizzard will submit it to their ratings board?
Kibibi Feb 4th 2009 1:43PM
THIS! Seems like all they have to do is slap a rating on it. According to the original article though, it doesn't seem like police will be cracking down on the Aussie-equivalent of Best Buy though...
Ikarus Feb 4th 2009 1:46PM
Surely there most have been some warning that this was going to happen. wonder why blizz hasn't already done this.
Deadlock Feb 4th 2009 1:58PM
It's a convict colony, they don't need it legally for sale because they all steal it anyway >_>
TheKarmaPolice Feb 4th 2009 2:02PM
That's the europian PEGI rating, not the american ESRB rating
TheKarmaPolice Feb 4th 2009 2:03PM
Craaap, wrong "thread" meant to reply to Gessilea in the thread below
swan Feb 4th 2009 10:22PM
@Deadlock it WAS a penal colony, not is.
not to mention, a lot of settlers came out anyway especially for the gold.
not to mention back then England were throwing people in jail and calling them ' convicts' just because they stole a loaf of bread to try and feed their family.
America's crime rate > Australia.
Evelinda Feb 5th 2009 9:21AM
dont take it too seriously, swan...
travelertt Feb 4th 2009 1:43PM
WOW! Also now illegal is Bread, Men named 'Guy', and Sanity.
Milquetoast Feb 4th 2009 1:37PM
But...there's a rating on the box in the picture...
Luna Feb 4th 2009 2:39PM
How dare you point out the obvious! Out of the village with you!