Roblox Corporation: Difference between revisions

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== Legal disputes ==
{{further|Child safety on Roblox}}
In June 2016, [[Cinemark Theatres]] filed a lawsuit against Roblox Corporation over [[trademark infringement]]. The plaintiff cited several user-created games within Roblox that recreated Cinemark locations, including the [[trademark]]ed branding.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160618/16093634745/cinemark-files-trademark-infringement-lawsuit-against-roblox-over-user-generated-content.shtml |title=Cinemark Files Trademark Infringement Lawsuit Against Roblox Over User-Generated Content |first=Tim |last=Cushing |date=June 22, 2016 |website=[[Techdirt]] |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108102630/https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160618/16093634745/cinemark-files-trademark-infringement-lawsuit-against-roblox-over-user-generated-content.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref>
 
In February 2018, [[YouTuber]] Kerstin Hoffmann, known as Keisyo, claimed that Roblox Corporation owed her {{US$|150,000|long=no}} because the company had stopped her from converting her 42&nbsp;million Robux balance into real-world money for no given reason. In response, Roblox Corporation stated that she could not transfer her Robux because she had earned them through "fraudulent activities".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/roblox/roblox-not-pay-youtuber-keisyo |title=YouTuber claims Roblox owe her $150,000 – they disagree |first=Vic |last=Hood |date=February 27, 2018 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925111818/https://www.pcgamesn.com/roblox/roblox-not-pay-youtuber-keisyo |url-status=live}}</ref>
 
In May 2021, an unnamed litigant filed a class-action lawsuit against Roblox Corporation, accusing the company of ripping off players with bogus purchases. Stating "The company's decision to sell first and 'moderate' later has obvious monetary benefit for Roblox, by the time defendant has deleted items from the Avatar Shop and users' inventories, it has already taken its 30% commission from the sale." Roblox Corporation said that they review all content submitted by developers through a multi-step review process before it appears on the platform.<ref>{{cite web |last=Burnson |first=Robert |date=May 25, 2021 |title=Roblox Accused in Suit of Cheating Kids With Bogus Purchases |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-26/roblox-accused-in-suit-of-ripping-off-kids-with-bogus-purchases |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531055110/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-26/roblox-accused-in-suit-of-ripping-off-kids-with-bogus-purchases |archive-date=May 31, 2021 |access-date=Sep 18, 2023 |publisher=[[Bloomberg News]]}}</ref> In May 2023, Roblox agreed to settle the suit for $10 million, in the form of a Robux refund to any users who bought an item before May 11, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doe v. Roblox |url=https://www.classaction.org/media/doe-v-roblox-corporation-motion-prelim-settlement-approval.pdf |access-date=March 28, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Roblox $10 Million Content Deletion Settlement Gets Final Nod |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/roblox-10-million-content-deletion-settlement-gets-final-nod |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Bloomberg Law |date=October 6, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Doe v. Roblox Corporation - Home |url=https://robloxsettlement.com/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=robloxsettlement.com}}</ref>
 
In June 2021, the [[National Music Publishers' Association]] filed a lawsuit against Roblox Corporation for {{US$|200&nbsp;million|long=no}}, accusing the company of infringing copyright laws. The complaint states, "Roblox actively preys on its impressionable user base and their desire for popular music, teaching children that pirating music is perfectly acceptable."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/music-publishers-sue-roblox-for-letting-game-creators-use-songs-11623271976 |title=Music Publishers Sue Roblox for Letting Game Creators Use Unlicensed Songs |first=Anne |last=Steele |date=May 26, 2021 |website=[[Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609222439/https://www.wsj.com/articles/music-publishers-sue-roblox-for-letting-game-creators-use-songs-11623271976 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2021 |title=COMPLAINT FOR DIRECT COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AGAINST DEFENDANT ROBLOX CORPORATION |url=https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.822912/gov.uscourts.cacd.822912.1.0_1.pdf |access-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224112909/https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.822912/gov.uscourts.cacd.822912.1.0_1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Roblox Corporation responded to the lawsuit by contending that they "do not tolerate copyright infringement" and expressing an intent to contest the lawsuit.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/roblox-response-lawsuit-nmpa-copyright-infringement-1234993526/ |title=Roblox Responds to Music Publishers $200 Million Copyright-Infringement Lawsuit |first=Todd |last=Spangler |date=June 10, 2021 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=June 29, 2021 |archive-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628233706/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/roblox-response-lawsuit-nmpa-copyright-infringement-1234993526/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On September 27, 2021, Roblox and NMPA announced they had reached an agreement that "settles claims filed by NMPA members [and] offers an industry-wide opt-in open to all eligible NMPA publishers," settling the lawsuit.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/roblox-national-music-publishers-association-nmpa-settle-copyright-lawsuit-1235075154/ |title=Roblox and National Music Publishers Association Settle $200 Million Copyright Lawsuit |first=Jem |last=Aswad |date=September 27, 2021 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815223952/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/roblox-national-music-publishers-association-nmpa-settle-copyright-lawsuit-1235075154/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
{{Anchor|Ruben Sim}}
In November 2021, Roblox Corporation filed a $1.65&nbsp;million lawsuit against YouTuber Benjamin Robert Simon, also known online as Ruben Sim. The complaint states a [[breach of contract]], "cyber-bullying and harassing Roblox employees and executives" and "posting false and misleading terrorist threats" during the Roblox Developer Conference 2021 which led to it being temporarily shut down.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carvile |first1=Olivia |last2=D'Anastasio |first2=Cecilia |title=Roblox’s Pedophile Problem |url=https://www.thevergebloomberg.com/2021/11/24/22800526features/2024-roblox-lawsuitpedophile-benjamin-robert-simon-ruben-sim-harassment-rdc-shutdown-terrorismproblem/ |titlewebsite=RobloxBloomberg suesBusinessweek YouTuber|access-date=22 forAugust temporarily2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite shutting down conference with fake terrorist threatweb |firstlast1=AdiBankhurst |lastfirst1=RobertsonAdam |datetitle=NovemberRoblox 24,Sues 2021YouTuber |website=[[TheFor Verge]]Posting |access-date=November'False 26,And 2021Misleading |archive-date=NovemberTerrorist 25, 2021Threats' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125165358/https://www.thevergeign.com/2021/11/24/22800526articles/roblox-lawsuitsues-benjaminyoutuber-robertfor-simonposting-rubenfalse-simand-harassmentmisleading-rdcterrorist-shutdown-terrorismthreats |urlwebsite=IGN |access-statusdate=live22 August 2025 |language=en |date=25 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 23, 2021 |title=ROBLOX CORPORATION v. BENJAMIN ROBERT SIMON, a/k/a RUBEN SIM - COMPLAINT |url=https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.388387/gov.uscourts.cand.388387.1.0.pdf |access-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224112909/https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.388387/gov.uscourts.cand.388387.1.0.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/22799362/roblox-sues-banned-cybermob-leader-for-terrorizing-the-platform-its-developers |title=Roblox sues banned 'cybermob leader' for terrorizing the platform, its developers |first=Nicole |last=Carpenter |date=November 24, 2021 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-date=November 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125231723/https://www.polygon.com/22799362/roblox-sues-banned-cybermob-leader-for-terrorizing-the-platform-its-developers |url-status=live}}</ref> On January 16, 2022, the lawsuit was [[Settlement (litigation)|settled]] by both parties which required Simon to pay $150,000 to Roblox Corporation. With the lawsuit settled, Simon is permanently banned from accessing Roblox. Due to it being resolved out of court, a legal precedent for other users who may evade IP bans or violate a game's terms of service was not established.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/us-court-bans-youtuber-accused-of-harassing-roblox-staff-and-terrorist-threats-3145202 |title=US court bans Youtuber accused of harassing 'Roblox' staff and terrorist threats |first=Jack |last=Grimshaw |date=January 24, 2022 |website=[[NME]] |access-date=February 12, 2022 |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125101920/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/us-court-bans-youtuber-accused-of-harassing-roblox-staff-and-terrorist-threats-3145202 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=21190191-roblox-v-simon-settlement/ |url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21190191-roblox-v-simon-settlement/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Machkovech |first1=Sam |title=Judge’s order slaps Roblox player with permanent game ban |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/01/judges-order-slaps-roblox-player-with-permanent-game-ban/ |website=Ars Technica |access-date=22 August 2025 |language=en |date=22 January 2022}}</ref>
 
In October 2022, a lawsuit was filed by a parent in the [[San Francisco County Superior Court|San Francisco Superior Court]]. The lawsuit alleges that Roblox connected their daughter with [[online predator]]s, who sexually exploited her, coercing her to send sexually explicit photos to them on [[Discord]] and [[Snapchat]], who were also named in the lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Belanger |first=Ashley |date=2022-10-06 |title=Roblox sued for allegedly enabling young girl's sexual, financial exploitation |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/10/roblox-sued-for-allegedly-enabling-young-girls-sexual-financial-exploitation/ |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=C.U. v. Roblox Corp. |url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23126384-robloxdiscordfacebooksnap-suit-filed-cu-su-complaint-10_4_22-filed |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=documentcloud.org}}</ref>
 
In August 2023, a class-action lawsuit was brought against Roblox Corporation. The lawsuit alleges that Roblox profited off minors when they bought Robux to participate in third-party gambling rings, violating the [[Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act|RICO act]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roblox Accused of Concocting Illegal Gambling Ring for Minors |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/privacy-and-data-security/roblox-accused-of-concocting-illegal-gambling-ring-for-minors |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=Bloomberg Law |date=August 16, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Colvin v. Roblox Corporation |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67694746/1/colvin-v-roblox-corporation/ |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=CourtListener |language=en-us}}</ref>
 
=== LouisianaSchlep attorneycontroversy generaland lawsuit ===
{{Main|Roblox Schlep ban controversy}}
{{Current|date=August 2025|2=current lawsuit|section}}
In August 2025, Roblox Corporation issued a [[cease-and-desist]] letter to [[YouTuber]] Schlep, prominent for conducting [[sting operation]]s against alleged [[online predator]]s via the platform. Roblox Corporation's letter stated that the activities of Schlep and other vigilante streamers were a violation of the platform's terms of service, and created an unsafe environment for users. Concurrent with the legal notice, Roblox terminated all accounts associated with Schlep and his group, and [[IP address blocking|IP-banned]] him from the platform.<ref name=":0" /> This has also prompted multiple Roblox-affiliated content creators of the Roblox Video Stars Program to leave as protest. Following the controversy, Roblox Corporation's stock price fell by over 11%, reflecting investor concerns. Schlep later announced that he is planning to sue Roblox back.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Gilson |first=Grace |date=16 August 2025 |title=‘Schlep,’ self-appointed watchdog with Yiddish name, is banned from gaming platform |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/schlep-self-appointed-watchdog-with-yiddish-name-is-banned-from-gaming-platform/ |website=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref>
 
In August 2025, Roblox Corporation became embroiled in a public controversy regarding its moderation policies. The company's sentactions awere [[cease-and-desist]]met letterwith tomajor abacklash [[YouTuber]]from knownmany asonline "Schlep,"communities who wasviewed prominent for conducting [[sting operation]]Schlep's againstactions allegedas [[onlinenecessary predator]]sfor usingcommunity the platformpolicing. Roblox'sThe lettersituation citedescalated Schlep'ssignificantly activities,days whichlater heand organizedincluded throughcalls whatfor hethe termedCEO "Vigilanteto Groups,"resign asand a violationpetition of the platform's terms ofby serviceU.S. Concurrent with the legal notice, Roblox terminated all accounts associated with Schlep and his group, andrepresentative [[IPRo address blocking|IP-bannedKhanna]] him from the platform.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Liddell |first=James |date=2025-08-14 |title=‘Predator'Predator hunter’hunter' YouTuber hit with cease and desist letter from Roblox CEO |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/roblox-ceo-resign-cease-desist-schlep-b2807586.html |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref> ThisShortly hasafter, alsoIndonesia promptedsaid multiplethat Roblox-affiliatedit contentbegan creatorsconsidering of theblocking Roblox Videoin Starstheir Programcountry, toand leaveQatar infully protestblocked Roblox.<ref Inname=":1" the/> daysOn following14 the controversyAugust, Roblox[[Louisiana]] Corporation’s[[Attorney stockGeneral]] price[[Liz fellMurrill]] byfiled overa 9%,child reflectingprotection investor[[lawsuit]] concernsagainst Roblox Corporation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=EditorMurray |first=AhmedConor Farhath,|title=Roblox SAChild NewsSafety Controversy Grows: Louisiana Sues Gaming Platform |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/08/15/louisiana-sues-roblox-as-controversy-over-child-safety-and-banning-vigilante-users-grows/ |access-date=2025-08-15 |titlewebsite=Roblox[[Forbes]] stock|language=en}}</ref> getsThe punishedsuit asalleged outragethat risesby againstactively shutting down independent efforts to expose potential dangers on its platform, forRoblox enablingwas childfailing abusein (RBLX:NYSE)its duty to protect underage users from harm.<ref>{{!}}Cite Seekingweb Alpha|last=Liddell |first=James |date=2025-08-15 |title=Louisiana AG sues Roblox and calls it 'perfect place for pedophiles' |url=https://seekingalphawww.comindependent.co.uk/news/4486117-world/americas/roblox-stocklawsuit-getslouisiana-batteredattorney-asgeneral-outrageb2808252.html |access-risesdate=2025-against08-platform15 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref> Roblox responded to the lawsuit on 15 August.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-for08-enabling15 |title=Roblox Responds to Louisiana AG Lawsuit |url=https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/08/roblox-childresponds-to-louisiana-ag-abuselawsuit |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=seekingalpha.comRoblox Corporation |language=en}}</ref>
 
The company's actions were met with major backlash from many online communities who viewed Schlep's actions as a necessary form of community policing. The situation escalated significantly days later and included calls for the CEO to resign and a petition by U.S. representative [[Ro Khanna]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liddell |first=James |date=2025-08-14 |title=‘Predator hunter’ YouTuber hit with cease and desist letter from Roblox CEO |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/roblox-ceo-resign-cease-desist-schlep-b2807586.html |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref> On August 14, [[Louisiana]] [[Attorney General]] [[Liz Murrill]] filed a child protection [[lawsuit]] against Roblox Corporation. The suit alleged that by actively shutting down independent efforts to expose potential dangers on its platform, Roblox was failing in its duty to protect underage users from harm.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liddell |first=James |date=2025-08-15 |title=Louisiana AG sues Roblox and calls it ‘perfect place for pedophiles’ |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/roblox-lawsuit-louisiana-attorney-general-b2808252.html |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref>
 
== References ==