Story perspectives

ESA calls private Minecraft servers piracy; Notch slams, California acts

7/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

ESA issued two IGN statements, first reaffirming private Minecraft servers infringe IP rights, then softening while keeping that claim.
Minecraft creator Markus “Notch” Persson called the ESA scummy for deeming private servers illegal.
ESA Vice President Jennifer Gibbons called private servers piracy and likened them to a black market.
California Senate hearing on Protect Our Games Act cited private servers and urged publishers to keep games playable after support ends.

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Story summary

ESA issued two IGN statements, first reaffirming private Minecraft servers infringe IP rights, then softening while keeping that claim.
Minecraft creator Markus “Notch” Persson called the ESA scummy for deeming private servers illegal.
ESA Vice President Jennifer Gibbons called private servers piracy and likened them to a black market.
California Senate hearing on Protect Our Games Act cited private servers and urged publishers to keep games playable after support ends.