Evony have widely circulated an email on the web about myself. In it they make a number of false claims (here are three of them):
1. Evony, LLC has had at no time any association with a company
called WoWMine. In addition, the company is not owned nor has it ever
been owned or managed by an individual by the name of Eric Lam. To be
clear, Evony has absolutely no legal or financial connection to this
individual.
2. Further, despite the blatantly false claims of Mr. Everiss,
none of the owners, directors or employees of Evony has ever been, or
are currently parties to, any legal action by Microsoft Corp.
5. Evony is in no way a Chinese based company. Evony is a
registered corporation in the United States with millions of active
players in dozens of countries around the globe.
Now firstly I must admit that a Delaware company called Evony LLC has been set up, however anyone can set up a Delaware company today for $99. So this means absolutely nothing. Additionally the company can be set up with nominee shareholders and directors. So the records of the company do not show who really owns or controls it. In other words the existence of a Delaware company proves absolutely nothing.
Evony was initially called Civony and to play Civony you paid UMGE. When Civony became Evony you still paid UMGE. Here is a Civony+UMGE search so you can see lots of references to their association.
But they changed this recently. They also have been systematically through all their websites and deleted large numbers of pages where there was any reference that connected Evony with UMGE. As if they are trying to change history. Or destroy evidence before a libel case in Australia. However I captured an image of a page of their own Wiki before it was deleted (I have copied it here). It says:
Evony is owned by UMGE (Universal Multiplayer Game Entertainment). Founded by a small group of avid Chinese game developers, UMGE is based in Guangzhou, China and develops online multiplayer games.
Prior to Evony, UMGE released Leuric, a multiplayer role playing Flash browser game where members of the two factions, Viking and Atlantian, battle against each other.
In parallel with Evony, UMGE is developing Surge of Valor, a Windows-based MMORPG.
So we have established the association between UMGE and Evony. Now look at this:
A legal case from Microsoft (which they won oops sorry my mistake, they haven‘t yet) for click fraud against Eric Lam, Melanie Suen, Gordon Lam, Super Continental US LLC, Super Continental USA LLC, UMGE and others.
Here is an excellent article explaining it:
After doing a long-term investigation, Microsoft has determined the fraud came from names Super Continental US LLC and UMGE LLC, that used “proxy server networks” to hide themselves.
“Super Continental US holds itself out as responsible for the sales and marketing of WoWMine.com, a Web site related to WoW with a domain name that is registered to Lam,” the lawsuit states. “At the same time, the Super Continental US LLC (USA) account on adCenter also contains campaigns related to the auto insurance (keywords).”
Microsoft identified seven adCenter accounts tied to Lam, and on each the credit-card holder was either Lam or Suen. Five of the seven accounts were registered under the same apparent pseudonym – Vincent Chu – and six of the accounts were registered to the same physical address in Delaware as Super Continental and UMGE.
So lets now follow the Super Continental lead. Here is a WoWMine advertisement:
Do you know how much free Gold you can earned at most when you purchasing 5000G (or above)? The answer is: You can get 2800 FREE GOLD at most! Surprised? Yes, me too! So, just following the steps below to collect your own FREE Gold: (1) purchasing 5000 G (or above) at least, (2) then log in the game by using the character name which you typed in Gold buying page, (3) our workers will be delivering all the FREE GOLD to your in-game character within 24 hours (please make sure that your character must be online while we delivering the FREE Gold to you). It is so easy, right? So, Let’s GO! (Note: Please notice that this campaign will be expired on 3rd, July)
That clearly looks like an advert from a gold farmer (explanation of the Chinese gold farming industry). And what does it say at the bottom of the page? Surprise surprise:
© 2005-2009 Super Continental Ltd. (Hong Kong, S.A.R.), Super Continental Development Ltd. (Canada) and Super Continental US LLC(USA)
Now I can prove all this in other ways (and prove a lot more too), but that will have to wait for the court. It is smoke and mirrors. Lots of companies have been set up in many countries. Lots of different websites. But if you do a bit of web searching it doesn’t take long to find lots of connections between Eric Lam, Evony, UMGE and WoWMine. And here is an excellent article detailing far more about them. (Which I have copied in case someone tries to delete it). And which gives us a possible address for where the people who run Evony may be:
Guangzhou UE digital technology Co.Ltd
4F, JinYing Building, WuShang Road
TianHe, GuangZhou, 510640
China
20 comments ↓
From Evony’s own community: http://bbs.evony.com/showthread.php?t=58777&page=3
1) On UMGE, LLC’s former website that they had up, they clearly identified that the developers behind Evony were a close knit group of talented chinese developers. And now they are flipping the script and saying that they have no chinese association at all? Hmmmm..
“Evony is owned by UMGE (Universal Multiplayer Game Entertainment). Founded by a small group of avid Chinese game developers, UMGE is based in Guangzhou, China and develops online multiplayer games.”
2) On that same website, I clearly remember WoWMine being listed as part of the UMGE portfolio. There used to be quite a few threads on this topic months ago that I can`t find anymore.
A quick search on the net for UMGE will bring up some articles from publication editors who are baffled over the same topics.
From Evony.me a site that is ©2009 Evony. All rights reserved.
http://www.evony.me/who-owns-evony/
Many interested in Evony have been asking; who owns Evony? Who created Evony, who is behind this wonderful game they are calling Evony?
Well, it’s developed out of China through the UMGE (Universal Multiplayer Game Entertainment) consortium – Evony has quickly become their flagship game, with enormous potential in the online gaming, RTS free web based game market.
There’s a major hole in their case, good detective work! I’m going to put an update on Pixels and Policy at the end of the week with the info you’ve gathered.
They seem to be diverting now into something new called “Kingory”, ads for which have blatantly stolen artwork from the Kung Fu Panda promos. Is there any way to report that theft to Dreamworks? I’d love to see their lawyers get, well, medieval on them.
More on the Lam’s: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Microsoft+sues+Richmond+trio+over+massive+click+fraud+scheme/1702360/story.html
Seattle-based software giant Microsoft Corp. has filed a lawsuit against three Richmond residents who allegedly perpetrated a “massive ‘click fraud’ scheme” on its online advertising network.
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle against Eric Lam, his brother Gordon Lam, and Melanie Suen, who is believed to be their mother.
They live in a gated townhouse complex at 47-12411 Jack Bell Dr. in Richmond.
So UMGE, the Evony company, is also into Auto Insurance!
http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/archives/171378.asp
Microsoft Corp. is suing three Vancouver, B.C., family members for allegedly launching a massive “click fraud” scheme to boost traffic to their World of Warcraft and auto-insurance Web sites.
In a lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Seattle, Microsoft names two companies – Super Continental US LLC and UMGE LLC – and their owners, who allegedly profited by using a computer program that automatically clicks on search-engine advertisements to drive down their competitors’ advertising budgets.
Microsoft legal investigators linked defendants Eric Lam, brother Gordon Lam and mother Melanie Suen to the alleged fraud, plus an unknown number of “John Does.” Super Continental sells virtual “gold” for the popular computer game World of Warcraft, and UMGE offers auto-insurance quotes.
In the lawsuit, Microsoft says the defendants cost the Redmond-based company at least $750,000 and violated the terms of use for Microsoft adCenter, a platform on which clients manage their advertising on the Live Search – and now Bing – search engines. Microsoft credited nearly $1.5 million to advertisers who were affected by the alleged fraud.
Remind me never to get on your bad side. Great detective work Bruce, I’ll be following this closely. And whether or not your a video game blogger this affects you the blogger as well.
Good luck, and if there is anything I can do to help let me know.
It would appear that the guys behind Evony are a lot more than they appear. Might also explain how they’ve been bankrolling what can only be described as their omnipresent Google Ads campaign for Evony.
Was almost tempted to start refreshing the page while writing this comment just to see if their ad would appear
Best of luck in court against them, not that you’ll need it or anything judging form what you have presented here alone
Talking about the MS lawsuit, it hasn’t been “won” in a legal sense, YET. So, when Bruce says “which they won” was probably only in a spiritual sense.
Here is a copy of the lawsuit
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/business/LamComplaint.pdf
As you can see there are ten counts. These include:
1. Breach of contract;
2. Breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealings;
3. Tortious interference with business relationships;
4. Fraudulent inducement
5. Fraudulent misrepresentation
6. Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
7. Washington Computer Spyware Act
8. Washington Consumer Protection Act
9. Civil conspiracy
10. Unjust enrichment
Mr Everiss has claimed that Evony (Associated with the defendants, but concealed due to the alleged civil conspiracy) are the “bad boys” of the internet. This is an understatement given the claims made of them by Microsoft’s attorneys. It is also worth pointing out that Mircosoft are actually representing the consumers here, namely every lawful person that uses the internet.
However, if you read the lawsuit carefully, you will note that Microsoft continues to be irreparably damaged by the defendants’ conduct, and has no adequate means at law. I would read this as implying that because the transactions are international Microsoft are unable to protect consumers or itself against this form of corruption. This might explain as to why Evony is keen to see that all forms of media back down from drawing attention to itself, because the media can bring this matter to public attention where law cannot.
China, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom are all signatories to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Convention_against_Corruption. This will mean that the libel lawsuit served on Mr Everiss by the defendants in the Mircrosoft lawsuit may constitute as additional evidence to demonstrate that corruption has transpired.
As the libel action against Mr Everiss was issued in Australia it might be advisable to visit the Australian Attorney-General’s website http://www.ag.gov.au/. If one types in UNCAC on this website search it is possible to see the stance that Australia takes on issues pertaining to corruption. Should Microsoft win their litigation, which is extremely likely, then Mr Everiss may be able to instigate corruption charges against Australia with the assistance of the Microsoft ruling on the basis that New South Wales has been permitted to create legislation that allows registered Australian law firms to threaten people and organisations with libel around the world for reporting criminal and unlawful conduct, as can be freely demonstrated within Microsoft’s lawsuit. In this respect Mr Everiss appears to have excellent grounds for a counterclaim, and possibly a large one at that because an Australian law firm appears to has made itself party to civil conspiracy.
This matter may be of interest to Franny Armstrong of Spannerfilms http://www.spannerfilms.net/. The reason being is that she is the one that documented and filmed the McLibel case. In this respect this could be known as “Your libel awaits you in the Australian outback, my Lord.”
Here is wishing Mr Everiss every success in pursuing this important matter that may have international public interest value. He is in the best position to spearhead the news on his libel case and I applaud his commitment to the legitimate gaming industry.
AC
Evony LLC as a company was registered on the 22nd of July 2009, so they may be technically correct in what they’re saying. However, this strikes me as being similar to when a company folds, to reopen soon after at the same office and with pretty much the same board of directors, yet denying any connections with their past.
Good luck with the legal business. I hope that Evony’s smoke blowing doesn’t take up too much of your time.
A UK computer store (with a reputation for sharp practices) pulled that stunt, but failed to remove all of the old company name references from their “new” website.
As Sean has claimed Evony LLC was registered on the 22nd of July 2009 then it brings into question as to why they were trading as Evony before this time, but it raises other questions too.
When Civiony was running in it betas it specifically stated that Civony was part of UMGE. This statement was made on the vBulletin forum boards licensed from Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. I can remember this distinctly because I took a screen shot of this while attempting to track the address. As Evony is now claiming to have no association with UMGE, then this will mean that the information offered to Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd could be interesting to examine. Namely a new company registration would have been required when the company allegedly changed hands from Civony to Evony. But as I was there at the time, certainly before 22nd July 2009, the statement made was that there was no company change.
Jelsoft Enterprises should possess the invoices for when the company allegedly changed hands, allegedly the 22nd July 2009. If this is not the case, then Evony could be party to piracy of vBulletin, if it has a license then it will have mislead its customers. At least one of these will apply, possibly both.
As you can see Jelsoft Enterprises is registered in England and Wales, company number 3459749, VAT number GB873794567. Here is the link: http://www.vbulletin.com/about.php
Given that charges of civil conspiracy have been made by Microsoft, it means that the vBulletin boards could contain important evidence. Microsoft and Mr Everiss can serve court orders on Jelsoft Enterprises in order to obtain this evidence for the hearings. In addition, because it could be possible that the vBulletin Civony/Evony moderators are party to civil conspiracy, I have listed the moderators here just incase these should disappear from the Evony vBulletin forums too:
DANKFIRE, Zenrax, Phoren, TWT, Stevinho, Crypteia, MadK, Sukasai, Ktanaqui, Lord_Zylok, BBQ_Sauce, Aderik, Just Jurgen, Brutal Xian, Gazza, f0zzy, John, Hods, AbstractAngel, terryrayc, Heraclius, Shinigami, Logrus, Lord Drazsyr, Katiara, Cyhort, Zim, Alusair, Thor, Kittiana, Sarasca, vBobLing, etrnldarkness, BF2viper, ! mINDsELFiNDULGE !, FoxyBunny.
In addition, after checking the boards, the following are listed with official moderator responsibilities during the Microsoft lawsuit and Mr Everiss’ libel case:
Hods, FoxyBunny, logrus, Zim, JPA32, wakey, chinothepony, Ruyuk, Bickyz, Alunsair, vBobLing, rainegirl, AbstractAngel, Cvhort.
As some of these moderators may be volunteers that work for certain gaming benefits, it will be interesting to see how they respond to being party to any legal charges issued against the recipients of the Microsoft lawsuit. This is the price that individuals may have to pay for being party to UMGE within Civony/Evony.
As Evony has served Mr Everiss for libel, and as there have been claims that moderators have been doctoring the Evony vBulleting boards to remove all evidence pertaining to the formal connection between UMGE and Evony, all the Civony/Evony moderators could be called to these legal proceedings because they will be party to the charges being made by Microsoft and party to the civil conspiracy that has led to Evony claiming Mr Everiss has committed libel. This is the reality of being party to people that are now facing very serious charges within the United States.
AC
No doubt there are huge many online game developers base in Guangzhou, Hong Konger like to call it game valley. A similar game but developed by another big boy in Chinese market has gathered over 30 million players since 2005 with a ‘forever free’ offer to them, that’s the first time there was a game to be free, so flocks of people were lured and cannot risist it by purchasing add-ons with real money, or to be discriminated by others bought with the advantages. Many players share the experience in dilemma — play without paying priority would suffer from oppression, but can’t reconcile to quit just by ripped off by others, thus they buy game credits and persist for years. Then the company to be profitable. That’s not surprising any game developers to imitate such strategy that’s proven to be ’successful’ to conquer the market that hasn’t been occupied by the first.
Oh dear, it would appear that I have neglected my Lordly duties!
I have received the first of what is likely to be a series of Evony emails trying to encourage me back to their game. Do note that this is an automated message and also note the spelling and grammar for what is allegedly an “American company.”
The following is copied directly from my email with the links removed. I trust it may be helpful to some viewers here.
—
My Lord
Your city is stacked with resource and ready to build a great empire, all your troops are trained, the contructions is completed and the research for new technology is succesful!
Your people asking for your return. Please click (Link) and come back to lead your people!
Your friends await your return and your foes fear it. If you come back in 48 hours Evony system will send you a 30 USD worth Recall Package for FREE to aid you rule the game! Just click the Game URL and click gift box on the top left screen to claim it.
Here is the login information for you:
Username: (Link)
Game URL: (Link) (Clicking to play!).
Server No: (Link)
Password: Evony does not keep your password for security and privacy concerns. If you have forgotten your password, you can retrieve your password by clicking (Link)
In an effort to combat spam, if this registration is not authorized by you, you can click (Link). Please note that if you click this link, you will NEVER receive any email from Evony again, including password recovery email.
Best Regards,
Evony Team
Evony – FREE FOREVER
This is an automatic email, please do not response to it.
Evony, LLC
PMB 6846
Suite 120
2711 Centerville Road
Wilmington, DE 19808 USA
http://www.evony.com
This email complies with the CAN-SPAM ACT of 2003 (United States), European Union Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications and the Spam Act 2003 (Australia).
—
Now, when I registered with Civony, I received my welcome and account details from UMGE. However, because Evony’s libel action against Mr Everiss claims to have no former association with UMGE, then it raises another interesting question. From where did Evony obtain all the Civony users private email addresses and passwords from?
Any person that registered with Civony under UMGE therefore has every right to raise this matter with the authorities within the United States, the European Union and Australia.
Here are the Wiki overviews of the laws that Evony claims to comply with in my email:
The CAN-SPAM ACT of 2003 (United States)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAN-SPAM_Act_of_2003
European Union Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communication (European Union)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directive_on_Privacy_and_Electronic_Communications
The Spam Act 2003 (Australia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_Act_2003
AC
hehe,
“2. Further, despite the blatantly false claims of Mr. Everiss,
none of the owners, directors or employees of Evony has ever been, or
are currently parties to, any legal action by Microsoft Corp.”
pot,kettle,black .. you know the analogy…
(you could get say … an australian lawyer and sue them for libel) ..sorry , sorry sorry
okies , point i want to make is this.
since you’ve established a clear link between “certain individuals” , address’s in the USA they reside at , and their involvement with world of warcraft gold farming …
….isn’t it high time you dropped a copy of all of this into Blizzard’s lap?
i’m sure they might be interested to read it all, bearing in mind that all the funds generated by the goldfarmers is TECHNICALLY and more importantly LEGALLY blizzards property, since the gold farming is illegal to the EULA of WOW
Bruce, I wish you the best. It does seem, after digging around on my own, that these not nice people are “dirty” up to their virtual eyeballs.
I’m sure that you have thought about everything, including the fact that they only have to win once, you have to win…35 times. Good luck, I really mean this.
However…just for fun…
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mr.-iq
I got curious about Kempion after reading so many comments. I’m fairly sure this is him.
http://bbs.evony.com/member.php?u=24921
Now that, is just plain humorous.
Hope this brightens your day…
Evony is a corrupted Chinese company pretending to be operating in the USA. If you ever wonder how its like to live under a communist regime, give Evony a try.
Some of their management team are the worst of the worst, including Mike and FoxyBunny. They are both paid employees, yet, FoxyBunny is still denying being on the Evony Payroll. FoxyBunny husband is working on the Evony forum undercover, any critique of the company is ridicule by him and once he start with you, you are guaranteed to be under the Evony watch list for telling the truth.
The game is corrupted, they have Evony’s devs playing as alliance hosts, they war new and weak players and force them to spend money on the game.
I do not recommend this game to anyone.
I say that you back up your computer and these articles.
I can forsee that they will hire a hacker to destroy the evidence.
“They also have been systematically through all their websites and deleted large numbers of pages where there was any reference that connected Evony with UMGE. As if they are trying to change history. Or destroy evidence before a libel case in Australia.”
Last night I found this on the internet It is part of the introduction to a list of job openings available at evony the date on it is listed as May 31 2009
“UMGE (United Multiplayer Gaming Entertainment) the makers of the new free web browser game Evony are calling for workers of all kinds as they push their HR (Human Resources) drive into full motion, as the uptake on Evony continues to push the boundaries.
UMGE out of China has put big dollars behind Evony…”
If evony has claimed in it`s court filing that it never had any connections to UMGE or china then they may have already perjured themselves to the courts.
In reference to my previous post it is interesting to note that an exact copy of that help wanted ad was posted in the evony forums on April 23 2009,(and is still there and available for viewing) the only difference between them is that the intro which makes reference to UMGE and china has been removed from the one in the evony forums.
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