Pokemon GO developer Niantic is suing an “association of hackers” for created modded versions of its popular mobile games. Niantic claims that these individuals create and promote hacked versions of Pokemon GO, Ingress, and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite that give players an unfair advantage.

The group in question is called Global++ and is known for distributing apps like PokeGo++ and Ingress++. According to Niantic, these apps both giving players access to special tools to allow them to cheat in the game and they infringe on Niantic’s IPs. There are apparently over 20 individuals that either help develop these apps or promote them via YouTube channels, like Alen “iOS nOOb” Hundur.

As of this writing, it seems like Niantic is getting its wish, as the websites related to these modded apps have been taken offline indefinitely. Presumably, the app makers were going to ride their success until Niantic caught wind of them, and considering Pokemon GO is almost 3 years old it’s surprising these mods lasted so long.

This is by no means the first time that a developer has filed a lawsuit against hackers or developers for creating modded versions of its game. However, this lawsuit is a little different since it's related to a game without any true competitive element.

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While Niantic seemingly has every right to sue hackers and modded app creators for infringing on their IP, the typical claims that these services diminish the value of the game are not the same. Anyone that uses these types of mods is only cheapening their own experience by paying for personal advantage. There is no beating another player to catch a rare Pokemon or anything like that.

Apparently, these types of modded apps are big business, though, if Niantic is taking notice. Moreover, the fact that there is already an app ready for Harry Potter: Wizards Unite suggests that there is a market for any Niantic game, even if it’s only in beta right now. Still, Pokemon GO and the Harry Potter mobile game are built on the foundation of Ingress, Niantic’s first game to use the familiar framework.

Pokemon GO is available now for mobile devices.

Source: Business Insider