Is it legal to sell features on your service?

[SubsJosh]

Hey,

I was wondering - is it legal to sell features on your server? As in, is it legal to say (for example): $10 and you get a pack of weapons on the server or something.

I know it's legal to give features in return for "donations". But is it legal if you don't call them "donations", and also, is it legal if you call them "donations" but don't spend all of the money paying for the server?

Thanks,
Josh

[FlapadarV2]

Technically no but it's not like someone will sue you for it.

[Neo Kabuto]

It depends on your country and how much you get in donations.

[tark!]

Either way it's fucking retarded.

[SubsJosh]

@FlapadarV2 - Any information on why it is illegal?
@Neo - Could you elaborate?
@Tark - I never asked for your opinion.

[FlapadarV2]

[QUOTE=SubsJosh;30208372]@FlapadarV2 - Any information on why it is illegal?[/quote]

You're selling virtual features - which Valve's terms of service prohibit. So you're breaking them, so they could technically sue you for the amount you earn. However, it's generally been seen that they don't.

[quote]
@Tark - I never asked for your opinion.[/QUOTE]

By posting here, you did.

[Hyperion]

I wonder how Taco n Banana gets away with it, considering
all of their models actually contain VALVe's content, yet they
sell 'custom' models.

[FlapadarV2]

[QUOTE=Hyperion;30208496]I wonder how Taco n Banana gets away with it, considering
all of their models actually contain VALVe's content, yet they
sell 'custom' models.[/QUOTE]

Valve don't really care. But that doesn't mean it's not breaking their terms.

[Pantho]

[QUOTE=Hyperion;30208496]I wonder how Taco n Banana gets away with it, considering
all of their models actually contain VALVe's content, yet they
sell 'custom' models.[/QUOTE]

And a shit ton of communities do the same with VIP items and vehicles.

Valve don't care, if someone started making REAL money. By which I literally mean 10k+ a month they might get a bit pissy. Even then given valves track record there more likely to find some way of licensing you for it so you can both make money :).

[SubsJosh]

@Flapadar - Thanks for clearing that up. And no, I did not ask for anyone's opinion, I was asking for facts.

@Pantho - Yeah, but still, if that amount of money started going through PayPal they'd likely start asking for documents... at which point, they'd take the money and tell you to fuck off. Not to mention you'd have to declare it to the tax man, and which point I guess you're in a whole world of trouble. Or am I wrong?

[Mr_Rigby[SGFC]]

this should be in help and support shouldn't it?

[RoFLWaFFLEZZ]

No, however, they don't really give a shit. You could always pass them off as donations with gifts in return.

[Metanar]

[QUOTE=RoFLWaFFLEZZ;30227265]No, however, they don't really give a shit. You could always pass them off as donations with gifts in return.[/QUOTE]

Pretty much this, nothing's going to happen if you reward people for donating. Probably a good idea to make it clear that it's only that, though, don't go and make a store web page for your server or anything.

[Aide]

I use to sell donator status back when I ran HG and remmber grossing about 2k in donations in year and a half.
Mind you had alot of donators.

Prices
1 month $1
3 months $3
1 year $12
Lifetime $24

I had alot of life timers. I also offered specials lowering my prices to gain more sales. I spent that 2k paying for dedicated server, website hosting and domain, and 30 slot ventrilo