ESA Tells California Senate Private Minecraft and COD Servers Constitute Piracy

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) briefed California Senate members on the legal status of private game servers. The ESA argued that community‑run Minecraft and Call of Duty servers operate without proper licensing. According to the association, such servers effectively distribute copyrighted game content. The briefing suggested that these servers could be classified as illegal piracy under existing law. Lawmakers were urged to consider regulatory measures to address unlicensed server hosting. The ESA highlighted potential revenue losses for game publishers caused by unauthorized servers. Critics noted that many community servers provide modding and social features valued by players. The Senate’s response will shape future policy on user‑generated gaming platforms.