Editing WoW:UI FAQ/AddOns (section)

== Legal? ==
{{faqq}}Is (insert name of addon here) a cheat or hack?

{{faqa}}Trimble's post and Slouken's reply to it sums it up pretty well (this has unfortunately disappeared from the forums long ago, if nothing else, it would have gone in one of the forum upgrades):

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'''Trimble:''' 

UI AddOns fall into two categories:

Macros - these aren't really AddOns at all, but they can use LUA code to do neat things in game. These are found ENTIRELY inside the game, and the code is run by Blizzard's interpreter, so they make the rules on what macros can and cannot do. Therefore, Blizzard won't ban someone from using any macros.

AddOns - These are extra files, put into the WoW Interface directory on your hard drive which supplement the existing LUA and XML code that Blizzard created that makes up the user interface that everyone uses.

AddOns are made up of LUA files, and XML files, both of which are also run by Blizzard's interpreter. Therefore, Blizzard won't ban someone from using any AddOns.

3rd party programs are actual programs that get loaded into memory and executed using their own code. They run separate from the game similar to how ICQ or MSN Messenger runs in the background. The difference is that 3rd party hacks try to read, or change data coming into or out of the WOW game client(to the network card), or they try to read or write to memory space used by the Wow Game client.

Speed hacks, for example, often interfere with data flowing from the game client to the network card by intercepting the "i am here" signal that he game client sends to the server and making it seem that the player is moving faster than they should be. The server accepts this as truth because Blizzard left it up to the game client to limit how fast you can go. (Oops Blizzard?) This strange design is caused by a need to let the game client do some of the work because the server is too busy to be expected to do everything.'

Anyway, the distinction in 3rd party hacks is usually the fact that hacks run as their own programs and interfere with the game client.

AddOns aren't anything more than REALLY extravagant macros.

(Note: Cosmos is known to have an external EXE file that gets run as its own code - however, it doesn't interfere with the game client - in fact, all it does is download LUA and XML files, puts them in the right places, then QUITS long before the WoW game client even starts.)

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'''Slouken:'''

This is a very good explanation of things as I understand them. However, I am not involved in policy and I'm not a lawyer.

While we've done our best not to penalize people who use the scripting interface, even in ways that aren't intended, it's conceivable that at some point someone will find a way to use them that is against the terms of use (e.g. is hurting other people's play experience), and is something we can't disable. In that case it's possible that we might warn people that using the AddOn is against the terms of use, and if they continue to do so, some action would be taken.

If you haven't been explicitly warned by a GM, or seen an official Blizzard response about an AddOn or UI modification, then don't worry about it.

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Also this post, translated by Shouryuu from: http://forums-fr.wow-europe.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-interface-fr&t=21783&p=1&tmp=1#post21783 (posted by Daghorn, a Blizzard Rep for the EU community)

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''(Not the best of translations, but I do believe I have not changed the meaning of the post. Please inform me if you believe so. )''


'''Daghorn:'''

Upon review of your comments, I deem it important to come back on the notion of interface modification (Addon, personalized interface) and the notion of third party applications.


'''Interface modifications:'''

Since the early days of Beta, our developers have chosen to offer fans of interface modifications some freedom to create. However, this "creative space" is supervised by what is called the API (Application Programming Interface): some doors are left open, while others are shut closed.

What must be known is that these interface modifications are entirely integrated within the games repertory and are a part of the World of Warcraft application, as you may note while looking at your task manager, AddOns do not require other applications to function and do not modify the client's files.

All in all, developers supervise the situation and can, if need be, lock certain functionalities that may alter the game play.

As long as your AddOns meet the above conditions, there is no need for concern. The only thing you need to know is that if the developers deem that some proposed functionalities alter game play, they will render their use impossible.


'''Unauthorized third party application:'''

A third party application includes any file or application that is not part of the World Of Warcraft application, used to gain an in-game advantage, such as increasing your movement speed or the ability to teleport yourself from one place to another in a manner not permitted by the game's conception. This includes any program that allows players to obtain information on the game which is normally not obtainable, or to transmit or modify certain game files. Normally, this does not include interface modifications, except interfaces whose functioning depends on an outside program.


-> To the difference of a personalized interface, these are autonomous programs, which are not concerned by the API defined by the developers since they do not use the current system but rather other procedures and modify game files. In this case, we no longer speak of game play alteration but of cheating, and sanctions will follow.


'''Brief Observations:'''
:- Always beware of where you download your AddOns, and especially if such AddOns contain files containing the .EXE extension.
:- Sharing your account is unadvised since you cannot be sure that your co-users will not use cheats.

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Also see Blizzard's [http://www.blizzard.com/support/wow/?id=aww01657p What are "Hacks" and "Third Party Programs"?] page.