This week it has been reported that Blizzard opposes the use of real money in its MMOs. There was lots of hype recently when a service called Live Gamer launched. Live Gamer Inc(TM) announced its introduction as the premier provider of a publisher-supported, secure platform for real money trading of virtual property. Live Gamer is partnering with Funcom GMBH, Sony Online Entertainment, 10TACLE STUDIOS, Acclaim, GoPets LTD, and Ping0 Interactive Limited. The company was backed with $24 million from sources like Charles River Ventures, Kodiak Venture Partners, and Pequot Ventures.

It appears that Sony (SOE) and Funcom will change their MMO businesses to include the exchange of real world money by players possibly for virtual lands, goods, code, and gold. Blizzard still has continued opposed to the trading of in-game intellectual property for real world money. According to their TOS everything in the game is their intellectual property and can’t be sold.

“We do not have any plans to support out-of-game trading for World of Warcraft anytime in the near future,” Blizzard’s representative told Next-Gen.biz. “The game’s Terms of Use clearly states that all World of Warcraft content is the property of Blizzard Entertainment, and Blizzard does not allow ‘in-game’ items to be sold for real money.”

“Not only do we believe that doing so would be illegal, but it also has the potential to damage the game economy and overall experience for the many thousands of others who play World of Warcraft for fun,” the rep added.

“The game’s Terms of Use clearly states that all World of Warcraft content is the property of Blizzard Entertainment, and Blizzard does not allow ‘in-game’ items to be sold for real money.”

“Not only do we believe that doing so would be illegal, but it also has the potential to damage the game economy and overall experience for the many thousands of others who play World of Warcraft for fun.”