Destiny 2 cheat makers to pay Bungie $13.5 million in damages

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That's $2,000 for every time the cheat software was downloaded

Destiny 2 Dares of Eternity
(Image credit: Bungie)

Creators of cheat software for Destiny 2 have reportedly agreed to pay Bungie $13.5 million in damages.

As spotted by TorrentFreak, Bungie has settled its lawsuit with Elite Boss Tech to the tune of $13.5 million. Back in August last year, Bungie filed a lawsuit against the company for developing cheating software for Destiny 2.  

In a February status report, Bungie allegedly argued that the company's actions were threatening the integrity of Destiny 2's gameplay and the player experience. The developer also added that implementing technology to prevent cheating had cost it "exorbitant amounts of money." 

Following this, Elite Boss Tech owner Robert James Duthie Nelson and other defendants reportedly argued that to develop the cheating software, they hadn't made or distributed copies of Destiny 2. They also claimed that certain terms in Bungie's Limited Software License Agreement couldn't be enforced and that the developer's copyright infringement claims were unfounded.  

It was looking highly likely that the case would go to trial until an agreement was reportedly reached by both parties that will now see the cheat maker pay $13.5 million to Bungie in damages. Elite Boss Tech has now agreed that their software injects code into Destiny's copyrighted code, which results in unauthorised derivative work. According to the report, the cheat software was downloaded around 6,765 times, with every download resulting in a $2,000 fine.  

As part of the agreement, the cheat makers allegedly cannot make or distribute any software that infringes on Bungie's intellectual property rights. "This permanent injunction is binding against Defendants worldwide, without regard to the territorial scope of the specific intellectual property rights asserted in the Complaint and may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction wherever Defendants or their assets may be found," the motion reads. 

"Any violations of this order by Defendants will subject them to the full scope of this Court's contempt authority, including punitive, coercive, and monetary sanctions." 

Gaming can be even more fun with others. Take a look at our pick of the best co-op games to play right now with friends and family. 

Anne-Marie Ostler
Anne-Marie Ostler
Freelance Writer

Originally from Ireland, I moved to the UK in 2014 to pursue a Games Journalism and PR degree at Staffordshire University. Following that, I've freelanced for GamesMaster, Games TM, Official PlayStation Magazine and, more recently, Play and GamesRadar+. My love of gaming sprang from successfully defeating that first Goomba in Super Mario Bros on the NES. These days, PlayStation is my jam. When not gaming or writing, I can usually be found scouring the internet for anything Tomb Raider related to add to my out of control memorabilia collection.