StarCraft Source Code Discovered, Fan Rewarded for Returning it to Blizzard - Sensationalist Headlines

[QUOTE=JCDentonUNATCO;52185518]The game was just released for free a few weeks ago, this source code could have started some serious modding projects and a fanbase to sustain them. A shame, honestly.[/QUOTE] Yeah no. Anything coming out of this would be sued to hell and back. He did the right thing, got some pretty sweet goodies for it and Blizzard gained almost free good PR. It's a win-win-win.

"and we would love to take you out for drinks" yeah he's going to get a few shots for sure

It really wouldn't be that hard to release it to the public without it being traced back to you. All you need is for a few people to start seeding the torrent on thepiratebay and it's done. It can't be removed anymore. Like, really easy. Buy a raspberry pi with cash, connect it to a public wifi hotspot, seed it for a few hours, then destroy the pi. Done. Impossible to be traced back to you.

[QUOTE=geel9;52186159]It really wouldn't be that hard to release it to the public without it being traced back to you. All you need is for a few people to start seeding the torrent on thepiratebay and it's done. It can't be removed anymore. Like, really easy. Buy a raspberry pi with cash, connect it to a public wifi hotspot, seed it for a few hours, then destroy the pi. Done. Impossible to be traced back to you.[/QUOTE] It would've been easy if he hadn't outed himself on reddit first. After he did that it would be impossible to get away with it.

[QUOTE=DeEz;52186216]It would've been easy if he hadn't outed himself on reddit first. After he did that it would be impossible to get away with it.[/QUOTE] Well obviously the first step is not posting about it on reddit.

The amount of vitriol going on the Reddit thread hurts so much its almost comical.. I mean seriously reading through all of the posts, some of the "Perservationists" are tearing into the guy, labeling this guy "Selfish" for returning stolen property back to it's original owners. From what i've read in the post(s) the guy is far from selfish. It [B]WOULD'VE[/B] been selfish of the OP to either.. A. Sell the code for a profit B. Kept the code for himself never to be seen again In my honest opinion, OP had 2 choices he'd considered at the time; Which was to release the code to archivers or contact Blizzard about the CD. In the end I believe OP did the right thing in returning the code to its rightful owners, which turned into a pretty sweet deal for both parties in the end.

[QUOTE=coolgame8013;52186234]The amount of vitriol going on the Reddit thread hurts so much its almost comical.. I mean seriously reading through all of the posts, some of the "Perservationists" are tearing into the guy , labeling this guy "Selfish" for returning stolen property back to it's original owners. From what i've read in the post(s) the guy is far from selfish. It [B]WOULD'VE[/B] been selfish of the OP to either.. A. Sell the code for a profit B. Kept the code for himself never to be seen again In my honest opinion, OP had 2 choices he'd considered at the time; Which was to release the code to archivers or contact Blizzard about the CD. In the end I believe OP did the right thing in returning the code to its rightful owners, which turned into a pretty sweet deal for both parties in the end.[/QUOTE] "Stealing property is bad unless it's stealing from big bad corporate. Morals don't apply if I dislike them etc."

Super glad this didn't get released. the game just came out for free a few weeks ago and they're working on a remastered version for the summer HD graphics and modern match making. If the source got released I'd be afraid they'd can the whole project, not to mention they JUST fixed the rampant hacking problem that plagued the online community for many years. if the source code dropped you'd see a whole new generation of hacks

I would've released that shit to the public and have it archived

To people thinking he got gypped due to being rewarded with Blizzard fun bux and merc, at least he got something and it turned out positive for him. It easily could have ended up with a misunderstanding where they accused him of stealing it or something.

as long as he doesn't use it on overwatch lootboxes he did the right thing

[QUOTE=SteakStyles;52186391]To people thinking he got gypped due to being rewarded with Blizzard fun bux and merc, at least he got something and it turned out positive for him. It easily could have ended up with a misunderstanding where they accused him of stealing it or something.[/QUOTE] Or if he was merely threatened legal action followed by a "k thanks" email for returning it.

[QUOTE=Mio Akiyama;52186384]I would've released that shit to the public and have it archived[/QUOTE] All of you saying "I would've just released it and archived/kept it hidden/copied it/etc", wouldn't have anywhere [I]near[/I] the level of gall to do so if it actually happened to you in real life. First off, there is the assumption that you would get away with it absolutely scott free, leaving behind no traces as though you were some god-tier white-hat hacker. [I]What if you don't?[/I] Let's break this down into a series of outcomes. 1. You don't get caught, you release the source code, and keep copies for yourself. This is the best outcome, and the most you could do is just quietly feel proud to yourself. You can't brag about it because it'll point attention to your online presence. 2. You release the source code, and you get caught. Now you're in a shit ton of trouble, with the full strength of Blizzard's legal team on your back. You've earned nothing for your troubles, and everyone mocks you as "the guy who should've just turned it in." Or you could do the route this guy did, 3. You turn in the property [I]that was not yours to begin with.[/I] It's one thing to release data as a game, where the inner workings are kept under wraps bound by an endless lexicon of legalese, for the consumer to buy. It's another to come across [I]valuable data that was never meant for public eyes.[/I] It's intellectual property created and designed by Blizzard, and what you have is stolen from them. Either an ex-Blizzard employee had that data and sold it(which is illegal), or accidentally lost it(forgetting a box when moving, giving it away without realizing it, etc). Any regular normal person who values both their own personal privacy, social life, and career wouldn't hold onto something like that, especially if they realize the value of it.

[QUOTE=aznz888;52186610]All of you saying "I would've just released it and archived/kept it hidden/copied it/etc", wouldn't have anywhere [I]near[/I] the level of gall to do so if it actually happened to you in real life. First off, there is the assumption that you would get away with it absolutely scott free, leaving behind no traces as though you were some god-tier white-hat hacker. [I]What if you don't?[/I] Let's break this down into a series of outcomes. 1. You don't get caught, you release the source code, and keep copies for yourself. This is the best outcome, and the most you could do is just quietly feel proud to yourself. You can't brag about it because it'll point attention to your online presence. 2. You release the source code, and you get caught. Now you're in a shit ton of trouble, with the full strength of Blizzard's legal team on your back. You've earned nothing for your troubles, and everyone mocks you as "the guy who should've just turned it in." Or you could do the route this guy did, 3. You turn in the property [I]that was not yours to begin with.[/I] It's one thing to release data as a game, where the inner workings are kept under wraps bound by an endless lexicon of legalese, for the consumer to buy. It's another to come across [I]valuable data that was never meant for public eyes.[/I] It's intellectual property created and designed by Blizzard, and what you have is stolen from them. Either an ex-Blizzard employee had that data and sold it(which is illegal), or accidentally lost it(forgetting a box when moving, giving it away without realizing it, etc). Any regular normal person who values both their own personal privacy, social life, and career wouldn't hold onto something like that, especially if they realize the value of it.[/QUOTE] You are massively overstating the possibility of getting caught here. 1. Go to the library and use a public computer 2(optional due to step 1). Sign in to a public vpn 3. Create a new account on forum of your choice 4. Post the content Now, I fully think this guy did the right thing, but distributing software through public channels is rather easy if your doing it as a one-off

[QUOTE=ArcticRevrus;52186697]You are massively overstating the possibility of getting caught here. 1. Go to the library and use a public computer 2(optional due to step 1). Sign in to a public vpn 3. Create a new account on forum of your choice 4. Post the content Now, I fully think this guy did the right thing, but distributing software through public channels is rather easy if your doing it as a one-off[/QUOTE] As a one-off, sure, there's a few ways to do it. But like I said, I find it rather laughable that the people who would do that kind of thing wouldn't at least try to brag about it in some way or form. Even if they don't, what exactly could you hope to gain from it? The second Blizzard finds out that their source code is leaked, they're going to have to crack the fuck down on any public releases anyone might make of it. The account & post will be deleted, the file will be dehosted, and yes, many other people would have downloaded it. But what could they do with such hot material? You can't make any changes to it and expect to release it to any sort of public area, because it'll also get the same treatment [I]and[/I] if you don't use said one-shot delivery, it'll be traced right back to you. Nobody could do anything with it. It's just data that's there until Blizzard releases the IP's source code for public use. You'll have torrents and people hosting from seed servers, but with a bit of push and shove they'll fold too. It's like finding a bag of meth on the ground.

[QUOTE=aznz888;52186723]As a one-off, sure, there's a few ways to do it. But like I said, I find it rather laughable that the people who would do that kind of thing wouldn't at least try to brag about it in some way or form. Even if they don't, what exactly could you hope to gain from it? The second Blizzard finds out that their source code is leaked, they're going to have to crack the fuck down on any public releases anyone might make of it. The account & post will be deleted, the file will be dehosted, and yes, many other people would have downloaded it. But what could they do with such hot material? You can't make any changes to it and expect to release it to any sort of public area, because it'll also get the same treatment [I]and[/I] if you don't use said one-shot delivery, it'll be traced right back to you. Nobody could do anything with it. It's just data that's there until Blizzard releases the IP's source code for public use. You'll have torrents and people hosting from seed servers, but with a bit of push and shove they'll fold too.[/QUOTE] Just like when any other developer gets pirated games taken off the pirate bay?

[QUOTE=geel9;52186730]Just like when any other developer gets pirated games taken off the pirate bay?[/QUOTE] [URL="https://thepiratebay.org/"] Ah yes, because it's totally still working.[/URL] I get what you mean, once its out on the internet there's essentially no way to make sure it comes off. But the point I'm trying to make is that a majority of people wouldn't take the risk of doing something like that, particularly if they're just a regular working-class civilian. There's nothing that's worth the risk, unless you're a proud defender of making all things public and equal. Believe me, I'm a software developer. It's extremely infuriating to be stopped by cross-platform issues just because someone didn't release the version for it, or if it was never made public so that people could make changes to it. [I]But intellectual property is still property.[/I] While it stands under Blizzard's ownership, theres nothing to be legally done about it, other than asking them nicely.

[QUOTE=aznz888;52186747][URL="https://thepiratebay.org/"] Ah yes, because it's totally still working.[/URL] I get what you mean, once its out on the internet there's essentially no way to make sure it comes off. But the point I'm trying to make is that a majority of people wouldn't take the risk of doing something like that, particularly if they're just a regular working-class civilian. There's nothing that's worth the risk, unless you're a proud defender of making all things public and equal. Believe me, I'm a software developer. It's extremely infuriating to be stopped by cross-platform issues just because someone didn't release the version for it, or if it was never made public so that people could make changes to it. [I]But intellectual property is still property.[/I] While it stands under Blizzard's ownership, theres nothing to be legally done about it, other than asking them nicely.[/QUOTE] I know you're a software developer. Congratulations; so am I. I'm not making a moral or legal argument in favor of distributing their property. I'm simply saying that blizzard would not be able to stop it in the way you think they could.

[QUOTE=geel9;52186775]I know you're a software developer. Congratulations; so am I. I'm not making a moral or legal argument in favor of distributing their property. I'm simply saying that blizzard would not be able to stop it in the way you think they could.[/QUOTE] I'm well aware that you don't need to be a prodigy 'hacker' to spread this kind of material on the internet, it's just futile to do so if you wanted anything to get done with it. The honest choice's reward was much greater than the risk's reward.

[QUOTE=aznz888;52186836]I'm well aware that you don't need to be a prodigy 'hacker' to spread this kind of material on the internet, it's just futile to do so if you wanted anything to get done with it. The honest choice's reward was much greater than the risk's reward.[/QUOTE] The reward was completely negligible. I would've been incredibly insulted with that reward. Consider that proper bug bounties can be over 10 grand per exploit. The actual source code being found is, in my mind, worthy of a proper bounty.

[QUOTE=geel9;52186842] Consider that proper bug bounties can be over 10 grand per exploit.[/QUOTE] Because finding, testing and documenting a bug exploit is the same thing as stumbling upon a CD with source code. Seriously, why would going the asshole route be the better idea, both from an ethical and practical point of view?

[QUOTE=geel9;52186842]The reward was completely negligible. I would've been incredibly insulted with that reward. Consider that proper bug bounties can be over 10 grand per exploit. The actual source code being found is, in my mind, worthy of a proper bounty.[/QUOTE] True, a software's source code is as good as gold, but you'd also have to be dancing with the devil. You'd either be pawning it off to someone else and hoping that it doesn't come back to bite you, or trying to make a deal with a corporate giant. Neither of which sound very fun. Like someone else said, Blizzard didn't [I]have[/I] to reward the guy -- if he tried to negotiate they'd probably slap him with charges of theft and come take it by force. His own admittance would be enough of an alibi to sink him like a stone. Getting $250 blizzard bucks, a few games, some sick loot, AND a trip to a convention? Sounds like a great deal to me, esp. if you're Blizz fan.

[QUOTE=Sir Whoopsalot;52186865]Because finding, testing and documenting a bug exploit is the same thing as stumbling upon a CD with source code.[/QUOTE] It's not a payment for how difficult it was. It's insurance. Bug bounties don't exist to reward smart people because the company just appreciates the hard work they put in. Bug bounties exist so that they can prevent exploits from being abused maliciously, at a cost far lesser than the cost of the fallout of the exploit being used. What matters is what you have, not your credentials.

[QUOTE=RikohZX;52185409]If nothing else, the guy's name will be remembered in the community.[/QUOTE] I'm going to be telling my grandchildren about the epic tale of Khemist49.

what game will he be immortalized in?

[QUOTE=nAXiom090;52186980]what game will he be immortalized in?[/QUOTE] he might end up as an easter egg unit and/or secret NPC :tried:

i mean, it's not like blizzard hasn't done it before.

In a world full of morally wrong people fully willing to do morally wrong things, I'm sure the higher-ups at Blizzard are extremely relieved that he gave up the disc.

I'd just take the Blizzard Funbuxx and return the CD tbh. Not worth the trouble and having a constant uneasy feeling for leaking it.

[QUOTE=RenegadeCop;52187622]I mean, oil companies can get fucked. Blizzard isn't destroying the Earth, they're a videogame company.[/QUOTE] Law still applies to scumbags.