Microsoft Issues Bans for Xbox LIVE Marketplace Theft

Amaury · Sep 7, 2011

Over the last month, you would of come across multiple reports, whether it was from reputable sources or users from gaming forums, that many Xbox LIVE members have been getting permanently suspended from the service due to 'Marketplace Theft'. One of the possible reasons for that may be revealed.

As you may have heard, a glitch in the Xbox LIVE rewards program rewarded many users with Microsoft Points. The nature of the program does do just that, but the glitch itself rewarded the same members more than once, thus causing some confusion amongst registered members.

@XboxSupport gave the all-clear to those who had received more than they bargained for, that the MS Points were theirs to keep. Seems unlikely that Microsoft would fall back on their word, right? Because it seems evident that they did!

After confirming that the points were indeed yours and it was okay to spend, they changed their mind, raising quite a few eyebrows and concerns amongst the thousands of members who took advantage of Microsoft's good graces.

Now, take this with a grain of salt. For the most part, those who claim to be wrongfully suspended, did legitimately do something that violated the Terms of Use. This could be, but definitely not limited to redeemable code generator exploits, which was in full swing not too long ago. Members of various forums were celebrating the exploit by redeeming promotional codes. Certain members in particular, were bragging about their Xbox LIVE profile being topped up with thousands upon thousands of Microsoft Points.

Then you have the legitimate members, who received double the amount of Microsoft Points from the rewards program. Were they wrongfully suspended? Did Microsoft purposely ban those who took advantage of their own mistake? The same one where they said that the extra points are indeed yours? It would seem likely, though they have and will never disclose their findings through investigations, so a respectable answer will never be known.

My theory, at least a small of the entire ordeal, lies with the DRM (Digital Rights Management). By allowing your friend to recover your Xbox LIVE gamer profile and migrate the licenses of your purchased content, they are basically stealing XBLM content, as there is no purchase involved. While it may seem far-fetched, I stand by that. You can argue that Microsoft cannot determine whether it is a genuine migration of the licenses, but don't you think it would seem rather peculiar that at 6:10 PM, in California, "Xbox A" signed out from Xbox LIVE, but at 6:26 PM, it was online, in the state of Ohio?

Also, there is what I am afraid of - region-specific content. Being an Aussie, the content on the XBLM is rather limited compared to let's say... the US of A. So, to make the most of my experience on Xbox LIVE, I have violated the Terms of Use by creating a secondary, fake profile, to download free content from another region. This may not be considered as theft in the real world, but in Microsoft's eyes, it could be.

Whatever the reason(s), if it violates the Terms of Use and/or its Code of Conduct, expect to get caught, one way or another.
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What does everyone else here think of this?

♥♦♣♠Luxord♥♦♣♠ · Sep 7, 2011

This method seems pointless. There are far more efficient ways of getting free dlc among other things. This seems like a very risky way of doing this. They could have done far better.

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Microsoft Issues Bans for Xbox LIVE Marketplace Theft

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♥♦♣♠Luxord♥♦♣♠ Chaser

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