Turtle WoW publishes open letter asking Blizzard for a fan-server licensing framework

On 17 October 2025 the Turtle WoW team published an open letter addressed to Blizzard Entertainment, proposing a formal licensing framework for fan-run World of Warcraft servers. The letter arrived roughly seven weeks after Blizzard filed a civil lawsuit against the project in the Central District of California on 29 August 2025, alleging copyright and trademark infringement, circumvention of anti-piracy measures and even RICO violations.

What the letter asked for

The team argued that, unlike other studios, Blizzard has no mechanism that lets projects like Turtle WoW operate without legal risk. It pointed to precedents elsewhere in the industry:

• Daybreak's agreements with EverQuest emulator Project 1999
• NCSoft's licensing of the City of Heroes: Homecoming servers
• Rockstar's acquisition of the FiveM modding platform
• Bethesda's long-standing support for Skyrim mods

According to the letter, officially recognised fan servers would bring back players who had drifted away from the retail game in search of niche experiences, and it urged Blizzard to embrace fan-driven content as part of its own legacy rather than alienate the community.

Coverage and Blizzard's response

The proposal was widely covered by MMO press and became a talking point across the private-server scene, which was watching the case closely. Blizzard did not respond publicly, and the litigation continued into 2026, ultimately ending with a settlement and permanent injunction in April.