The future of MyM is vague

Hello MyMler,

unfortunately this isn't about a cool new feature, modpack or an issue. We have been contacted by mojangs intellectual property enforcement department with the request of adjusting our shop to meet the latest brand and commercial guidelines.

This request could mean the end of MyM unless we pull MyMs entire brain power together and work on solutions.

Why?

• We are barely breaking even at this time
• Modded minecraft requires around 10 times the amount of server power, vanilla (bukkit/spigot) servers do
• Around 90% of the perks on the shop do not comply with the guidelines set forth by mojang
• Cosmetics are of low value in modded minecraft (there is no showing off in the lobby, most players are technic affin and do not care about cosmetics much)

What will we do?

Private Suggestions
In order to keep creativity at a maximum, we are collecting ideas in a private forum. This means submitted ideas are only visible to the person who submitted them and Admins. This prevents the creative mind from being boxed into the space existing ideas.

Quality and Compliance Check
The admin team will assist with the seeding of ideas by providing feedback around formulation and compliance.

Vote Period
Once some time passed we are going to make this forum public, with the ability for everyone to vote, to crystalize the best ones.

Consultation with Mojang
Ideas where we are uncertain if they are within the guidelines are being sent to mojang for review.

Implementation
We will start implementation, starting with the most simple and yield promising ones.


In order to help you with ideas, below are a few recommended documents. Please keep in mind that there might be some play ground since T1 minigame servers do not fully comply.

Submit Idea

Spoiler: Terms & Guidelines

Mojang Terms: Mojang Account (Section: SERVERS AND HOSTING)

Mojang Blog Article: Mojang | Minecraft Commercial Use

(More Mojang Blog Post): Let's talk server monetisation! Let's talk server monetisation - the follow-up Q+A

Initial E-Mail

Hi,

We have noticed that you operate a server for Minecraft called MineYourMind. We work for Mojang, the creators of Minecraft, helping to protect Mojang’s intellectual property rights and the Minecraft community.

This email is intended to provide you with information and clarification of certain concerns that exist over your server. It is not intended to be a formal letter before action or threat of legal action - we merely wish to let you know that there are certain things that need to be addressed in the hope that you will take the appropriate steps. Of course, if you don’t take these steps then we may be asked to take the matter further - but the intention is that this email should be sufficient.

As we are sure you are aware, Minecraft has a very significant and loyal fan base and community. Mojang is very keen to ensure that its community is treated fairly and that it and newcomers to Minecraft are not taken unfair advantage of. Mojang has therefore established the following Brand Guidelines and Commercial Use Guidelines in relation to the use of its intellectual property rights. Mojang Account ("Brand Guidelines") Mojang Account (“Commercial Guidelines”)

These Brand Guidelines and Commercial Guidelines have been established to allow third parties like yourself to use Mojang's intellectual property rights in certain circumstances and subject to certain conditions. They are, in fact very generous, in what they consider being acceptable - which is all part of Mojang’s commitment to letting its community do cool stuff. In particular, we recognize the important part that servers, such as yourselves, play in the Minecraft community.

Additionally, the help article at Mojang |

Minecraft Commercial Use contains some examples for server owners.

We are therefore seeking to ensure that your server complies with the applicable Brand Guidelines and Commercial Guidelines and does not misuse Mojang's Intellectual Property – and, if it does, you have an opportunity to correct it.

We have identified the following issues with your server:

1. Soft currency is available for purchase.
2. Some items in the store give an unfair advantage over other players.
3. Some rank perks give an unfair advantage over other players.

These activities are specifically prohibited by the Mojang Brand Guidelines and Commercial Guidelines. Therefore, please make the following changes:

1. Please remove the ability to purchase soft currency.
2. Make sure that all items are in line with the Commercial Guidelines linked to earlier.
3. Make sure that all rank perks are in line with the Commercial Guidelines linked to earlier.

Please make sure that you provide any user who gives you money an online payment/purchase history. We would also like to remind you always to be explicit about who to contact about the server, who the operator is, and that it is NOT Mojang, NOT associated with Mojang and NOT supported by Mojang.

We are sure you appreciate the reasons for this, and we would be grateful if you would confirm your receipt of this email and your confirmation that you will take the requested action.

If we do not hear from you within seven days of this email, we will have to write to you more formally, and that may lead to more formal measures.
Best regards,

Brandon Andersson
Intellectual Property Enforcement Agent
Mojang AB

Submit Idea

Spoiler: Additional Info & F.A.Q.

Existing/bought perks
Our understanding is that we are asked to stop selling non compliant perks. So far there has been no information/request about removing already sold perks. I can of remember having heard something similar in the past.

Loopholes
While there is a good amount of possible loopholes, we have not been threatened any legal action yet. Based on public information, non complying results in being added to a blacklist. This means that one can't connect to the server with the official version of minecraft/forge.

Submit Idea

 

credits. But T1 minigame servers are selling keys for loot chests, so there seems to be some play ground. Especially since these also have the gambling factor.

 

Small hint:
There are a lot of ideas around loopholes/working around the system. The decision regarding compliance is done by the Mojang intellectual property enforcement department. If they don't like it, they don't accept it. It doesn't matter if it is against the terms or not
Based on public information the next step mojang does if a server does not comply is adding it to a black list, which tells the clients to show the server as offline/blocked.