ESA declares private Minecraft servers illegal at StopKillingGames hearing

The European Software Alliance (ESA) argued that private Minecraft servers violate copyright law. The claim was made during a StopKillingGames congressional hearing. ESA labeled the servers as piracy and said they undermine game developers. Lawmakers questioned the basis for treating user‑hosted servers as illegal. Critics noted that Minecraft’s terms of service already allow private hosting. The hearing highlighted ongoing tensions between regulators and the gaming industry. No immediate legal action was announced, but ESA signaled readiness to pursue lawsuits. Observers will watch how the debate influences future policy on user‑generated servers.